Fuente : UEFA (English)
http://www.uefa.com/

UEFA Cup: APOEL show winning stamina

/noticias.info/ Two goals in the space of three minutes in extra time ended Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC's UEFA Cup campaign as APOEL FC salvaged a 2-2 draw at Bloomfield stadium to advance to the first round 3-2 on aggregate.

Extra-time drama
Avi Nimny's 63rd-minute goal levelled the aggregate score to force extra time, Maccabi having lost 1-0 a fortnight ago in Cyprus. But a spectacular solo effort from Konstantinos Makridis on 93 minutes, followed by Marios Neophytou's header ensured APOEL's participation in Friday’s draw.

Maccabi changes
Maccabi's coach Nir Klinger made three changes from the side which lost in Nicosia. Nimny returned to the starting lineup and replaced the injured Eugen Trica. Blessing Kaku made way for Liran Cohen with Giovani Rosso dropping to the heart in midfield and Erez Eliav replaced Yuval Shpungin at right-back.

Strauber saves
After a lively start in which both teams battled hard in midfield, Nimni forced the first save as his swerving free-kick was turned away by APOEL goalkeeper Michael Morphis. At the opposite end, Maccabi's Liran Strauber showed his skills as he stopped long-range efforts from Chrysostomous Michael and Neophytou.

Nimny strike
With no changes at half-time, Maccabi emerged desperate to get back on level terms. They got their wish just after the hour as Nimny whipped in a cross to Roy Dayan who won the ball in the air, beat his marker and the goalkeeper only to shoot weakly. However, Nimny pounced on the loose ball and with a perfectly timed sliding effort sent it into the roof of the net to score his first goal since returning to Maccabi in the summer.

Spectacular goal
That was the only goal in normal time, forcing the extra half-hour. And only three minutes after the restart, Makridis scored the goal of the game and one of the best of his career. The diminutive Cypriot international midfield player picked the ball inside his own half before charging forward and through entire Maccabi rearguard. With four defenders flat on their backs, Makridis broke into the area and slid his shot past Strauber for the equaliser and a precious away goal.

Visitors celebrate
Three minutes later, Neophytou got the slightest of headers to flick Ricardo Fernandes' free-kick past Strauber and send the 500 travelling APOEL fans into a state of delirium. Mesika, who replaced Dayan in the 75th minute, scored a spectacular equaliser in the 117th minute as his powerful drive from 30 metres bounced in off the crossbar. But with APOEL leading the tie 3-2 on aggregate, that proved too little too late. notas_de_prensa_archivo