Cyprus BXL FC start 2012 with impressive five against Portugal

The annual Cyprus-Portugal game is as close as one gets to an El Classico at this level of football: two of the oldest teams of the League, oozing with passion, sometimes flare and often hot tempers, controversy, usually ending with lots of goals in the scoreline. Coming out of such a game with five goals in your favour and only one against is really a best case scenario, especially in a year where both teams seem to be going for the same top-tier target.

Cyprus BXL FC last night were simply lethal, scoring four goals in a first half where Portugal dominated possession and could have had some goals of its own. Papoutsas capitalised on a Portuguese defensive mistake early in the game, and minutes later Fossati scored a trademark goal with a curling long range effort reminiscent of Roberto Carlos’ best. Anastasiades scored another beauty half way through the half, and also set up Rossides for the impressive fourth goal with a great run down the right flank.

Portugal Brussels FC seemed despondent during this time, as they saw their possession and some good chances (shot on the bar cleared off the line, and several difficult saves by Anastasiou) come to nothing. The Cyprus defense held on well, but also had luck on its side at critical moments of the half.

The second half started with the initiative once again belonging to the Portuguese, who were nonetheless unable to convert it to anything concrete. Coach Nikolian refreshed his midfield and defensive line, and reestablished a balance in the game. Portugal scored from one of its many corners to make it 4-1, but Cyprus was regaining its balance in midfield and started to look more threatening going forward. A second goal from Papoutsas sealed the fate of the game and one of Cyprus BXL FC’s most comprehensive victories against one of the League’s most ‘traditional’ big names.

MVP: After such a performance it would be unfair to single any player out as MVP. All starting 11 and the substitutions that came on the pitch performed close to perfection last night – and this after nearly a month without an official League game. Well-deserved mention speciale  to the attacking line of Cyprus BXL FC for its lethal precision and flare last night.

Lineup: Anastasiou – Telemachou, Dellopoulos, Orphanides Ph, Antonakopoulos – Fossati, Orphanides P, Severis, Papoutsas, Rossides – Anastasiades

Subs: Leontiou, Anastasiou A, Tsangaris, Constantinou T, Gogos, Nikolian

Assistant Coach Ara Proponitian was in a musical mood after the game, limiting himself to screaming “Ai se eu te pego Portugal” in obnoxiously high volumes.