Ferencváros safe despite defeat

AEL Limassol FC 2-1 Ferencvárosi TC (Ferencváros win 5-2 on aggregate)

Car accident 
Three AEL players, including captain Ermognis Christophi, were involved in the crash an hour before the game was due to start. The trio were taken to hospital and, although not seriously injured, were declared unfit to play. Christophi suffered a head injury requiring stitches.

Sebok in denial 
None the less, AEL began brightly and created several chances, with Hungarian striker Jozsef Sebok to the fore. The best of them came when he burst through but abandoned the opening with only goalkeeper Szucs Lajos to beat. The home side's intense pressure finally paid off on 29 minutes, when Kyriacos Kyriacou headed in Alexis Garpozis's free-kick.

Stylish goal 
The second half started with AEL again dominating but equally profligate as several players began to tire. Sebok went close on a number of occasions before finally getting the goal he craved against his countrymen with four minutes to play. It came with some style too, as he turned his marker before rifling the ball into the goal from 30 metres.

Visitors unworried 
Ferencváros were unworried after their comfortable victory in the first leg, and even managed a consolation on the night. Captain Peter Lipcsei registered with a low free-kick in the dying seconds.

'A big boost' 
Speaking afterwards, the AEL coach, Andreas Michalidis, said: "This performance was for the three players missing tonight. Hopefully the win will serve as a big psychological boost ahead of our league game next week, especially after the 4-0 defeat in Hungary and on the opening day."