Cyprus BXL FC lose 2-4 to Romania in top-4 derby

Cyprus BXL FC did not manage to sustain their early 2-0 lead last night and lost fairly 2-4 to a superior Romanian side in an enthralling game at Ixelles.

Cyprus looked to be on course for a huge victory securing them a top-4 position against the 3^rd-placed team as two early goals from Alex Anastassiades put them in a commanding position within 20 minutes.

But Romania mounted a comeback before halftime that capitalised on the mistakes of the Cyprus defense to bring it to 2-2 as the two teams went to the changing rooms. Cyprus BXL FC never managed to bounce back from the shock of the equalization.

Romania got another goal just soon the break and the unflattering scoreline was completed by a controversial penalty for Romania, when Antonakopoulos threw his body in front of the ball just meters from the goal line, leading to a dubious referee decision to send him off for handball and point to the penalty spot.

For Cyprus BXL FC, this was a chastening afternoon. The solidity and strength that has characterised so much of Cyprus’ fantastic season this year was conspicuous by its absence as Romania threatened to extend their emphatic victory margin. 

They will hope this simply is an interruption to their impressive progress, but Coach Nikolian will have been horrified by the ease with which his side was dismantled.

The absences of key players last night (Telemachou, Dellopoulos – their two talismanic centre backs – were absent, as well Rossides, Charalambous, and Leontiou) are a valid justication, but not a reason for complacency if their aims are as high as their table position may suggest.

Cyprus BXL FC has now fallen to 5^th place in the standings, with one game in hand over 4^th place Italy.

MVP for Cyprus last night goes to Anastassiades, who helped a great deal from a number of positions last night and put in a game reminiscent of his more illustrious start to the season. He was closely followed by Orphanides and Severis in midfield for their commitment in breaking down wave after wave of Romanian attacks.

Starting XI: Gogakis, Formosa, Ph Orphanides, Antonakopoulos, Anastasiou, Severis, P Orphanides, Voudouris, Anastasiades, Papoutsas, T Constantinou

Substitutions: A Leontiou, Gogos, Tsangaris

Next game for Cyprus BXL FC is against Sweden for the Presidency Cup this coming Thursday 1 March 2011 at the ISB.