OMONOIA FALL LATE TO RIJEKA

Omonoia are up against it after losing 1-0 at home to Croatian side Rijeka in UEFA Conference League action in Nicosia. Omonoia carried the play in terms of possession, but none of their chances were that threatening, save for one at the end of the first half. Omonoia will have to return the favor in the return leg next week in Croatia, or they will go out in the Knockout Round for the second time in as many years. This was also Omonoia’s third 1-0 home loss in this competition this season.

Omonoia hosted Rijeka at the Stadio GSP in Nicosia. The first chance fell for Willy Semedo, but his shot was blocked off by Teo Barisic. Then Ante Matej Juric put one wide, and Semedo missed at the other end. The first shot on target was a free header that found Alfonso Barco, but the Peruvian midfielder’s effort lacked power and Fabiano made a routine save. Omonoia carried the play in the first half, and it looked like it would finally pay off as a chance fell to Ryan Mmaee who’s been in form lately, but his attempt was saved by Martin Zlomislic and there was no score at halftime.

Rijeka looked to push Omonoia a little more early in the second half, and Toni Fruk forced Fabiano to a save. Semedo remained persistent, but once again Zlomislic got the better of him. Merveil Ndockyt tested Fabiano, but Fabiano was up to it.

Against the run of play, the visitors broke through in the 84^th minute as Tiago Dantas got the steal and eventually found Daniel Adu-Adjei, who beat Fabiano with an innocent looking but well-placed back heel, and it was 1-0 for Rijeka.

However, hope returned quickly for Omonoia when Tornike Morchiladze took a second yellow and was sent off. Semedo took a shot looking to force a rebound, but Zlomislic did well to put the rebound out of reach. Even with the man advantage, Omonoia didn’t look any more dangerous. The final play of the match, with all bodies forward, Evangelos Andreou for whatever reason let fly from well outside the box, it sailed harmlessly over the net, and Omonoia would lose 1-0.

Omonoia(Henning Berg): 40. Fabiano(GK, C), 21. Giannis Masouras, 5. Senou Coulibaly, 29. Jure Balkovec, 82. Andreas Christou, 28. Moses Odubajo(’63 2. Alpha Diounkou), 74. Panagiotis Andreou(’63 10. Tasos Chatzigiovanis), 6. Carel Eiting(’90 85. Angelos Neophytou), 7. Willy Semedo, 22. Muamer Tankovic, 19. Ryan Mmaee

Rijeka(Victor Sanchez): 13. Martin Zlomislic(GK, C), 34. Mladen Devetak, 28. Teo Barisic(’74 7. Tornike Morchiladze), 45. Ante Majstorovic, 22. Ante Orec, 23. Justus Lasickas, 55. Alfonso Barco, 26. Tiago Dantas, 20. Merveil Ndockyt(’74 8. Dejan Petrovic), 77. Ante Matej Juric(’81 18. Daniel Adu-Adjei), 10. Toni Fruk(’66 14. Amer Gojak)

Andrew Mantzas

Twitter: @MantzasNC