Missed Chances Haunt AEK and Omonoia on the Road

Europa League Play-off, First Leg
Brann 2-1 AEK Larnaca

AEK Larnaca face a testing second leg after slipping to a 2-1 defeat against Brann in Bergen, though the tie remains finely poised.

Angielski handed the Cypriots a dream start after 16 minutes, rising to meet Chacon’s cross with a powerful header. But the advantage was short-lived, as Myhre’s strike deflected off Milicevic and deceived goalkeeper Alomerovic to level the score.

Despite the setback, AEK showed resilience and came close to regaining their lead before half-time through Pere Pons and Ekpolo. Angielski had the best chance after the break, racing clear one-on-one, but dragged his shot agonisingly wide.

Brann then squandered a golden opportunity when Guðmundsson struck the post from six yards with the goal gaping after Alomerovic spilled a save. Yet the Norwegian side would not be denied. Deep into stoppage time, confusion between Ekpolo and Alomerovic allowed substitute Jonas Torsvik to steal in and net the decisive goal.

AEK will regret their missed chances, but having overturned deficits in Nicosia against both Celje and Legia Warsaw earlier in the campaign, they will still feel confident of turning things around.

Conference League Play-off, First Leg
Wolfsberger 2-1 Omonoia

Omonoia Nicosia left Austria empty-handed after a 2-1 defeat to Wolfsberger, a night marked by missed chances and costly defensive lapses.

The visitors struck first in the 16th minute, Coulibaly heading home to silence the home crowd. But the advantage slipped away, and Wolfsberger capitalised late on.

Henning Berg’s side created more than enough opportunities to take control of the tie, with Jovetić missing three clear chances to extend the lead. Their frustration grew on the hour mark when Loizou appeared to be hauled down in the penalty area, only for appeals to be waved away.

Substitute Neophytou thought he had created the second when he set up Chatzigiovanis, but the winger was flagged offside before rolling the ball into the net.

The punishment came late. With three minutes remaining, a mix-up between Coulibaly and Maric allowed Renner to break free, his cross finding Zukic completely unmarked to slot in the winner.

Omonoia face an uphill battle in the return leg, though Berg struck an optimistic tone afterwards: “We are disappointed that we lost this match because we could have scored more goals.” His belief in his players suggests the tie is still alive heading back to Nicosia.