Neftçi capitalise on Vaslui dismissal

PFC Neftçi will take a one-goal lead to Romania next week after Rashad Sadygov's 84th-minute winner defeated ten-man SC Vaslui.

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Anatoliy Demyanenko's team, who shocked Belgian outfit KFC Germinal Beerschot Antwerpen in the previous round, will protect an advantage in the second leg though they may rue the concession of an away goal. Oleh Herasyumyuk gave the Azeri hosts a first-half lead but that was swiftly cancelled out by defender Stanislav Genchev. However, Vaslui's Silviu Balace was dismissed for his second caution with 21 minutes remaining and the hosts made their numerical supremacy count thanks to Sadygov's late winner.

Herasyumyuk strike
After a tentative opening, both sides started to show their attacking intentions. Vaslui pushed forward without ever really threatening the hosts' goal, while Martcho Davtchev, Herasyumyuk and Sadygov all had chances to give Neftçi the lead. Herasyumyuk enjoyed better fortunes shortly after, though, his precise shot putting the Baku-based side in front, but the celebrations were short-lived as Genchev quickly restored parity 60 seconds later.  

Dismissal
The goal re-invigorated Vaslui and they continued to force the issue, though Vladimir Micovic in the Neftçi goal was rarely pressed into service. Davtchev was first to threaten after the restart, while at the other end Gabriel Canu was only denied by a fine save from Micovic. Yet, the complexion of the game changed after 69 minutes when Balace received his marching orders, and after Demyanenko introduced fresh legs in the form of striker George Chelidze and midfielder Zaur Tagizade, Sadygov swung the tie in Neftçi's favour.