Apollon Limassol FC claimed a creditable 0-0 draw against
Seria A side SS Lazio in Nicosia to keep alive their chances of qualifying from
UEFA Europa League Group J.
The final result was something of a coup for Apollon, who
had to withstand intense pressure at times on home soil. However, they may have
to do it all over again on matchday four when they head for Rome, one point
behind Lazio and three shy of leaders Trabzonspor AŞ.
Lazio will feel they should have made more of their
chances in Cyprus. In the first half, Ederson and Hernanes both worked their
way into good positions after Apollon defenders had failed to clear their
lines, only to be unable to find the finishing touch. Apollon were to offer
little in reply, though Gaston Sangoy and Fotis Papoulis missed the target on
forays forward.
Apollon never took charge of the game but posed their
visitors more problems after the interval, going close when Papoulis' curling
effort just cleared the crossbar on the hour. Camel Meriem also tried his luck
from distance five minutes from the end, but his long-range effort was just off
target.
Vladimir Petković's Lazio, though, will have a thing or
two to discuss on their flight home. Indeed, Hernanes and Álvaro González both
failed to trouble Bruno Vale in the Apollon goal as Christakis Christoforou's
men rode their luck to claim a point.
Culled from UEFA
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