Cyprus BXL FC drop more points, 1-1 vs Bulgaria

Another week without victory for Cyprus BXL FC, as they drew 1-1 against Bulgaria, in a game where they should have left with more profit. The dream of a top-4 position now is unfulfillable, but they still have the prestigious 5th place to play for in their remaining two games for the regular season.

The Cypriots started the match forcefully and showed their appetite from the word go,

pressuring high on the pitch and managing to short-circuit the Bulgarian midfield maestros. Ten minutes into the game, Cyprus had already tested the Bulgarian defense twice, missing two very good chances with two long-range efforts from Anastasiades, both of them saved convincingly by the Bulgarian keeper. An unfortunate challenge in the middle of the pitch then ended up in a broken nose for Dellopoullos and a necessary substitute with Agorakis coming on the pitch and Anastasiou retreating in central defence.

The Cypriots nonetheless continued to dominate play, and their persistence paid off. After an excellent combination going forward from midfield, Agorakis received the ball at the corner of the box, and treading the baseline, he found himself in an almost impossible angle but managed to beat the otherwise ex-CSSK Sofia goalkeeper. The goal did not stop the Cypriots from going forward, but three more chances were lost – the clearest of them with Georgakoudis coming face-to-face with the keeper, who once again managed to thwart the danger. The half-time whistle found Cyprus BXL FC wondering why the scoreline only read 1-0.

The second half was a completely different story. Cyprus BXL FC showed up with a different face altogether, lacking conviction and hesitating to unfold their game as in the first half. At the same time, Bulgaria was not threatening, and it seemed like the Cypriots were comfortable in their lead.

This was to prove their downfall, however, as a corner was enough for the Bulgarians to equalise. The cross found the Bulgarian attacker unmarked in the box, where he siezed the opportunity with a volley, leaving no chance for Anastasiou to react. The rest of the match was consumed in the midfield, with Cyprus BXL FC unable to create much, and conceding another two points that should have been secured much earlier.

Quite a disappointing result for the Cypriots, but one that maintains them at the top of the 'second group' of the BXL Euroleague, immediatedly below the top-4.

Next game for Cyprus BXL FC is against Slovenia on Thursday April 26 at the ISB.