UEFA Champions League, Play Off round, Half 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 that 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 unkowns in Europe going into the game.
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 favourites and being the team every one thought would win at the end of the night. Famagusta however were looking to recreate their efforts of 2005 and make it through 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 fans 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 team's 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 their players about, going into the break. With one coach telling his players not to get overwhelmed by their lead while the other saying the complete opposite.
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