APOEL advance in Ireland
Thursday, August 28, 2003
Article summary
Derry City 0-3 APOEL FC (Agg: 1-4) APOEL advance to first round after emphatic away win.
Article body
APOEL FC progressed to the first round of the UEFA Cup with a convincing away win over Derry City FC at the Brandywell that secured a 5-1 aggregate success.
Malekkos the master
Derry went into the home leg well-placed after scoring an away goal in a 2-1 defeat in Cyprus but, with Kostakis Malekkos starring with his dangerous free-kicks and crosses, APOEL produced a much-improved display. He opened the scoring in the 36th minute with a clever free-kick from the edge of the penalty area after Derry captain Eamon Doherty had been penalised.
Martyn denied
Derry threw everything forward in the quest for an equaliser and Ciaran Martyn was twice denied by APOEL goalkeeper Michael Morphis in the space of a minute.
Late flourish
But APOEL extended their lead after 80 minutes when Costas Charalambides burst straight through the Derry defence to shoot past Alan Gough. And Gough was forced to pick the ball out of his net again two minutes from time when George Papandreon converted from close range.
