Astana on brink of history after beating APOEL

• Baurzhan Dzholchiyev nets 14th-minute clincher
• Astana could become first Kazakh club to reach group stage
• Hosts resist second-half pressure to secure first-leg success
• Second leg takes place in Cyprus next Wednesday

Astana are on the brink of becoming the first Kazakh club to progress to the UEFA Champions League group stage after Baurzhan Dzholchiyev's superb 14th-minute header earned a narrow first-leg advantage against APOEL in their play-off tie.

Stanimir Stoilov's charges withstood a barrage of second-half pressure to clinch a famous victory after Foxi Kéthévoama's cross was expertly guided into the top corner by Dzholchiyev.

Debutants Astana immediately established a foothold in the game and almost took the lead inside four minutes. Dzholchiyev burst down the right and hooked in an early cross which Tanat Nuserbayev nodded straight at APOEL goalkeeper Boy Waterman. Three minutes later, the hosts went close again via Georgy Zhukov's effort from distance.

After threatening to take the lead twice, the Blue and Yellows succeeded at the third time of asking. The impressive Kéthévoama was allowed to advance unchallenged down the left before his cross found Dzholchiyev who beat the Dutch custodian with a powerful header. APOEL, attempting to secure a fourth group stage appearance, responded immediately as Tomás De Vincenti sent his near-post header narrowly wide of the left-hand upright.

Baurzhan Dzholchiyev at full-time©UEFA.com

George Efrem dragged a shot wide for the Cypriot champions before Dzholchiyev passed up a glorious opening to double the advantage, firing straight at Waterman from close range following a lofted ball into the box.

The Thrylos emerged for the second half galvanised and nearly levelled when Iñaki Astiz squandered a clear opportunity in the 55th minute, blazing over with only Nenad Erić to beat after Efrem had forced a fine stop from the 33-year-old home goalkeeper.

Backs-to-the-wall defending was required by Kazakhstan's title holders in the closing stages, although a rare Astana foray nearly brought the second goal as Kéthévoama's dipping effort from distance was tipped over by Waterman. Yet Domingos Paciência's men were unable to restore parity as the Kazakh team secured a famous win.

Reaction
Stanimir Stoilov, Astana coach
This is a really good result. It's very special to win such a big match against a really good team, but the second leg will be even more difficult. We were not playing all-out attack; our play was composed and that enabled us to get a good result. APOEL are still favourites ahead of the second leg. This game is over and we have to think about the next match. APOEL are tough to play against at home because they have really good support.

Domingos Paciência, APOEL coach
Astana's victory doesn't mean they have more of a chance of going through than we do. We still have the game at home, where we will have our fans and good support. Astana have the same chance as before tonight's match. If we count the opportunities, you will see that the right result should have been a draw.