Neulengbach and Apollon left wanting more

Captain Nina Burger scored twice as SV Neulengbach won 2-1 at Apollon Limassol LFC in their UEFA Women's Champions League round of 32 first leg, but seemed more concerned afterwards about the chances she had missed, with Apollon's Lianne Sanderson only sorry that the game did not last five or ten minutes longer, with substitute Jasmyne Spencer's late strike for the home side capping a spell of intense, late pressure.

Nina Burger, Neulengbach forward
We knew it would be difficult. We knew our opponents are strong and that the hot weather would play a role. In the first half, we were the better side but in the second half we had some problems, but we still managed to score two away goals – and we were 2-0 up.

It is a good result, but we could have scored even more. There were two occasions when I could have finished after great assists from my team-mates – as I said, we should have scored one or two more, considering all the chances we had. But still: two away goals is a good result.

Johannes Uhlig, Neulengbach coach
It was a strong match between these teams. Apollon are very strong, with very good strikers and very good midfielders. We were better in the first half – we had lots of chances to score a third goal – but in the second half it was equal. Apollon were the better side in the last 15 minutes.

Lianne Sanderson, Apollon forward
In the first half, we definitely didn't come out very strong and it was disappointing – we definitely needed to regroup at half-time. And I think we were fortunate to get in being only one goal behind, because it could have been many more: they had a few chances.

But if we would have had another five or ten minutes in the game we would have come back into it. I had a chance in first half I should have put away. But going into the second leg, they obviously have two away goals, but we can still win, and I think we just have to believe we can go there get two goals and not concede.

Angelos Tsolakis, Apollon coach
We didn't start well. We conceded a very ugly goal following a defensive mistake. We created some clear chances but we couldn't score. The second half, we were better. We improved. We had good control of the game but Neulengbach had a counterattack and they scored to make it 2-0. We struck back too late – we deserved to have done so earlier.

This is the first leg: we will try hard in the second game. It'll be very difficult, of course, but I think we will have our chances.

Jasmyne Spencer, Apollon forward
I think it's a little bit disappointing for us to come out with a loss in the first leg, but we definitely have something to build off – pulling a goal back is definitely good. It'll be tough, but I think we're going forward in the right direction.

I thought I brought a good energy to the team when I came off the bench. We were kind of struggling; letting up that second goal was tough, but I just wanted to pull our level back up, and then when I got the goal, it definitely brought us to another level. If there was more time, anything could have happened, but it’s good going into the next game.