Late goal gives Anorthosis hope

Boavista FC will take a slender lead to Cyprus for the second leg of their UEFA Cup second-round tie against Anorthosis Famagusta FC, but Radoslav Michalski’s strike seven minutes from time gives the Cypriot side a real chance of causing an upset in two weeks’ time.

Early substitution
The visitors began confidently, which contrasted sharply with the Boavista players, who frequently misplaced passes and prompted coach Jaime Pacheco to make a change after only 13 minutes, replacing defender Paulo Turra with Ico. The attacking switch settled the Portuguese side’s nerves, and they took a deserved lead on 30 minutes, as Jorge Silva headed in a Sanchez corner.

Good goalkeeping
It could have been even better for the home team, who missed seven other clear goalscoring opportunities in the opening period, and were frustrated by a combination of poor finishing and Anorthosis goalkeeper Nicos Panagiotou, who was in inspired form.

Panagiotou beaten
The second half began as the first had ended, and the home side doubled their lead four minutes after the break, Éder finally beating Panagiotou as he headed another Sanchez set-piece past the Anorthosis captain.

Anorthosis hit back
Despite Boavista’s dominance the visitors never gave up, and took control in the final 20 minutes of the match. They gained a deserved reward in the 83rd minute as Michalski broke into the penalty area and, with Éder, Ávalos and goalkeeper Ricardo all closing in, saw his shot bobble agonisingly over the line and into the net.

Excellent stop
There were further chances for both sides, with Anorthosis coming close to snatching a equaliser as Marvin Brunswijk was denied by an excellent save from Ricardo.