Silva service for Boavista

A last-gasp penalty from Brazilian striker Silva gave Boavista a thoroughly deserved one-goal win after a game of very few chances in the GSP Stadium in Cyprus tonight.

Rifled home winner
The 27-year-old rifled home the winner after Anorthosis goalkeeper Nicos Panagiotou had brought down substitute Cafú who had run half the length of the pitch past a static home defence.

Aggregate victory
Cafú was thrilled with the result which gives Boavista a 3-1 aggregate win and passage into the third round of the UEFA Cup. "It was a very hard game for my team but we worked hard," he said. "It was a great victory because we are not having a good time in Portugal at the moment, mainly because of trouble scoring goals. But this game proved we are a good team."

Goal looked unlikely
Until then the game had seemed destined to end goalless with both sides seemingly content to play out the game in the relative safety of midfield.

Red card shown
Despite a 1-0 deficit from the first leg, the Cypriot side failed to throw men forward in any numbers in the latter stages of the game, and this in the face of a one-man advantage after Boavista midfield player Ico was dismissed in the 74th minute.

Possession wasted
Georgian international Temur Ketsbaia was at the heart of Anorthosis's play in midfield but put several free-kicks well wide and failed to turn possession into any telling chances. Anorthosis had come into tonight's game in positive mood after a late goal from Radoslav Michalski in the first-leg gave them a vital away strike in a 2-1 defeat.

Thunderous shot
Their early aggression failed to create any chances until Marios Neophytou flicked the ball over the Boavista bar from just five metres in the sixth minute. However, Boavista then took the game to their hosts and Brazilian striker Silva fired a thunderous shot straight at goalkeeper Nicos Panagiotou six minutes later.

Failed to perform
Stelios Chistou came closest for Anorthosis with a well-struck volley from 25 metres after 27 minutes but otherwise they failed to perform in front of goal. Christos Velis was the only other home player to grab the attention as Boavista's Erivan controlled matters at the back.

Dramatic winner
Silva came close several times for the visitors while Ico nearly grabbed the opening goal after 57 minutes when he shot narrowly wide. The game then seemed destined for a draw until that dramatic injury-time winner.