Cyprus BXL FC drop two points against the Netherlands

Second draw of the season tonight for Cyprus BXL FC who left with a 1-1 from a cold, wet and rough game at the VUB. Two penalties in the second half decided the fate of the game, whose result can on the whole be judged as fair.

There is usually no love lost in the annual encounters between the Cypriots and Dutch, and last night was no exception. Tackles were flying all over the pitch from the first whistle of the Finnish ref, and the appeals from both sides for rough play were frequent.

Several Cyprus BXL FC players seemed to be nervy and struggling to maintain focus against this backdrop. A resulting inability to impose themselves on the game became the motif of the first half for Cyprus.

The home team controlled most of possession, and looked more dangerous going forward. A couple of shots from the Cypriots didn’t threaten much, a problem compounded by Anastasiades’ substitution early in the half with hamstring trouble. The Dutch on the contrary were spreading play left and right, and created at least two or three dangerous opportunities in front of P Anastasiou’s goal. Cyprus BXL FC for the first time this year seemed content to go to the changing rooms with 0-0 at halftime.

Their start to the second half was much better, where they seemed to be playing with more purpose from midfield up. Papoutsas and Rossides were becoming more threatening in attack, and the midfield duo of A. Anastasiou and Fossati were prowling close by. Ten minutes into the half they were rewarded for their efforts with a penalty, which was converted by Fossati.

Cyprus BXL FC continued to be more demanding than the Dutch, much helped by the re-appearance of Severis on the right wing (sidelined for a testing four years of injury) who managed to create the space for some flanking action. They did not manage to plug all the holes in midfield, however, and the Netherlands took advantage. An unlucky handball from their defense led to a converted penalty for the Dutch ten minutes later.

The rest of the game was a high-intensity affair, mostly dominated by waves of attack from the Cypriots, and a string of good saves from the Dutch keeper.

The final whistle seemed to leave both sides content with the result. For Cyprus this was a testing tie against a team to which it had capitulated 0-5 last year, and which managed to extract a draw from current champions Spain a few weeks ago.

Man of the Match goes to Antonakopoulos who had one of his best so far days this year in central defense in the absence of Dellopoulos. Voudouris was also very helpful on the left wing, and Severis brought some real value when he came onto the pitch.

Assistant Coach Ara Proponitian, in another impromptu press conference noted “we could have gone to the top of the freaking League tonight”, but promptly added that “Spain will have good a run for their money on Sunday.”

Cyprus BXL FC Lineup: Anastasiou, Formosa, Tsangaris (Orphanides), Telemachou, Antonakopoulos, Anastasiou, Fossati, Anastasiades (Voudouris), Georgakoudis (Severis), Papoutsas, Rossides.

Cyprus plays against Spain on Sunday December 4 at 2100 at Ixelles.