UEFA Champions League, Play Off round, Full Time Report: CSKA Moskva vs Anorthosis Famagusta
The Russian Premier League was one that was hotly contested last season. CSKA barley managed to grab the last Champions League Qualifying spot in the Russian Premier League, last term.
Thanks to the last ditched effort by the Russian club they are set to experience European football for another season running. Last season they did brilliantly in the Champions League but were knocked out by, the former Champions and holders of the UEFA Champions League Trophy, Inter Milan.
Tonight the Russians faced a rather unknown opponent when compared to the likes of Inter Milan. They were all set to take on a team from Cyprus known as, Anorthosis Famagusta. Famagusta had been doing tremendosly well in the Cyprus based premier league but were rather unkown in Europe. However as we all know anything can happen in these European competitions.
The first play off leg was destined to take place tonight. CSKA went into the match as obvious favorites and that team every one thought would win at the end of the night. Famagusta however were looking to re create their efforts of 2005 and make it though to the next stage of the contest.
The arenas were packed with both teams looking to field the grounds. The match was being played in the CSKA home stadium, which is why the fan's were getting behind their team much more than they usually would. With the referee blowing the whistle both teams were rearing to go at it from the very first minute. After some decent inter play from both the teams, CSKA started to dominate possession more than their opponents from Cyprus.
This early dominance led to several chances for the Russian team and then ultimately to the first goal of the game. CSKA took the early lead when Seydou Doumbia put the home side ahead with an expertly taken goal. The crowd erupted after the goal and the inevitable had been set in motion. CSKA then started to dominate even more with every passing minute.
Seven minutes later the home side struck again and it was none other than, Doumbia again, The player took another effort at goal and saw the ball rest in the back of the net to the home teams delight. The match then carried out in similar fashion, with the home team dominating possession and creating far more chances, than their opponents.
They would have wanted to convert more of their chances however they failed to do so and at the end of the first half the score was set at two goals to nil in favor of CSKA Moskva. What was interesting was that, their were no bookings during that entire half. Which was odd considering Famagusta should have been applying more pressure to their opponents.
However both the coaches would have had a lot to talk to their players about going into the break. With one coach telling his players not to get overwhelmed by their lead while the other asking for the complete opposite.
The second half got under way in the same manner that the first half ended. CSKA were on top of their opponents from the very first minute of the second half. Two minutes into the restart the home team grabbed another goal.
This time however it was Zoran Tosic who gave the home side the goal. He brilliantly slotted home his effort and the away fans were left with nothing to say. They knew that their team's chances of going through were fading fast with every passing minute.
The CSKA fan's on the other hand couldn’t contain their joy and their emotions seemed to spark the players to perform even better. It wasn't long before CSKA kicked up a few gears and started stringing together some beautiful pass and go play.
After the third goal, the game died down a bit, with CSKA looking more than content with what they had. Famagusta on the other hand, seemed to have given up all hope of launching a come back and were looking to contain the score at three goal to nil.
However Famagusta weren't doing a very good job at keeping the home team contained. They eventually gave way to CSKA creeping in again and scoring another. Tosic got his second and the teams fourth goal on the seventy second minute mark.
As far as every one was concerned this tie was already setlled. The pressure seemed to be a little too much for the Famagusta players and, Marcos Arguello eventually managed to win himself a red card, after a terribly late tackle. The match eventually ended with the score line reading four goals to nil in favor of CSKA.
Famagusta will have it all to play for in the second leg while CSKA will be looking to achieve a personal best, in terms of goals scored.
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