Cyprus BXL FC march into top-4 with difficult win over Austria

Cyprus BXL FC managed to put another 3 points in the bag last night after a tense and scrappy away game against Austria. The Cypriot attack was not at its best last night, squandering many chances throughout the game, but was saved very late in the game by a contentious penalty decision in its favour, which was converted by Anastasiades.

Austria defended solidly (and at times unscrupulously) from the first to the last whistle, giving the Cypriot strikers a hard time in and around the box. Cyprus BXL FC had the upper hand throughout the game, dominating possession in midfield and beyond, but unable to capitalise on it. Voudouris, Anastasiades and Fossati could have done better with their chances in the first half, which ended in a sterile 0-0.

Papoutsas, Louka and Charalambous came on in the second half, adding speed and width to the Cypriots’ battle plan going forward. Austria seemed happy with the one point, as Cyprus camped into their half. Anastasiades and Papoutsas didn’t manage to score from clear chances, and Fossati saw a great diagonal shot end up on the bar.

All this changed a few minutes before the end of time, when the ball ricocheted off the thigh of an Austrian defender and onto his arm. The penalty was swiftly awarded by the Bulgarian referee, Cyprus BXL FC thanking their lucky stars for the decision.

All in all, not the best night for Cyprus, but one which counts all the more because of that. They managed to secure the three points on a night where things were not really swinging in their favour, and against a team which they traditionally had great trouble beating.

The hair in the soup at the very end of the game for the Cypriots was the red card for Rossides, who stupidly retaliated to the provocation of the Austrian centre back, and will now miss the next two games.

MVP of the game goes to Argyris Antonakopoulos, who played one of his best games for the team since joining. Argy was massive in Cyprus’ defense last night, destroying many Austrian attempts, and all this from a left-back position, which is not really his. Credit all round to the Cyprus defense too, which is still the best in the League with only 6 goals conceded after 10 games!

Starting XI: Gogakis, Karides, Antonakopoulos, Dellopoulos, Telemachou, Anastasiou, Fossati, Severis, Voudouris, Rossides, Anastasiades

Next game for Cyprus BXL FC is for the Presidency Cup against Sweden on 2 February at the ISB.