THREE LEFT IN EUROPE

It was a week of mixed results for our clubs in European competition, with three out of four representatives advancing to the next stage of their respective qualifying rounds.

On Tuesday, APOEL faced Moldovan champions Petrocub in the return leg, carrying a narrow 1-0 lead from the first match.

David Gallego’s men could have been 3-0 up by halftime if not for the impressive saves by Petrocub goalkeeper Silviu Smalenea, who denied Susic and Sarfo twice from extending APOEL’s lead.

The most frustrated player on the pitch was striker Stefan Drazic, who missed five clear chances in the first half.

Smalanea continued his heroics in the second half, stopping another shot from Sarfo to prevent APOEL from taking the lead. Moments later, the visitors were punished as Sergiu Platica scored a thunderous left-footed strike to level the tie on aggregate, leaving goalkeeper Belec rooted to the spot.

However, Petrocub’s lead was short-lived as APOEL quickly responded with a wonder goal from Marquinhos. Susic fed Sarfo, who squared it to the Brazilian winger. Marquinhos controlled the ball on his chest, flicked it over his head with his right foot, and volleyed it into the roof of the net with his left foot.

APOEL held on for a 1-1 draw, advancing 2-1 on aggregate. Their next opponents are Slovan Bratislava, who defeated NK Celje 6-1 on aggregate.

Cup winners Pafos hosted Lithuanian side Zalgris in the second leg of their Conference League qualifier at the AlphaMega Stadium, aiming to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg.

An inspired Arpad Tordai in the Zalgris goal twice kept Pafos at bay in the opening 10 minutes, first denying Tankovic from a free kick and then stopping a Dragomir volley from the resulting corner.

Pafos leveled the tie in the 21st minute when Tankovic side-footed Jairo’s pass beyond the reach of Tordai. Things improved further for Pafos when Zalgris went down to 10 men after defender Zahary committed a professional foul on Jairo.

Despite the numerical advantage, Pafos couldn’t capitalise in regular time, sending the game into extra time.

New signing Anderson Silva came off the bench to add more firepower up front and missed two big chances to give Pafos the lead. However, his perseverance paid off in the 101st minute when the Brazilian striker put the hosts in front with a spectacular overhead kick, making him an instant hero.

With two minutes of extra time remaining, Pafos sealed their place in the next round, making it 3-0 on the night and 4-2 on aggregate, after Dragomir headed in from Marios Ilia’s cross from the right.

Pafos’ next opponents are Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia 1948.

Omonoia Nicosia triumphed in Georgia, defeating Torpedo Kutaisi 2-1 on the night and 5-2 on aggregate.

The visitors weathered an early storm, limiting Torpedo to half-chances in the opening 15 minutes. As the game progressed, Omonoia began to dictate the tempo and took the lead through a close-range finish from Mariusz Stepinski.

Serbian winger Simic intercepted a pass and laid it off to Semedo, whose pass across the six-yard box was tapped in by Stepinski.

Torpedo rarely posed a threat in the first half but caught Omonoia’s defence napping in the early stages of the second, drawing level.

Despite the equaliser, Omonoia remained in control and went 2-1 ahead with 10 minutes to go as Willy Semedo converted a penalty after Kakoullis was fouled inside the box.

Omonoia’s opponents in the Conference League third qualifying round are Hungarian side Fehervar.

AEK Larnaca’s European heroics of two seasons ago will not be repeated as they suffered a humiliating 5-0 aggregate defeat against Paksi.

The Hungarians raced into a 2-0 lead by the break, adding to their 3-0 advantage from the first leg.

New head coach Jan Ferrando is under increasing pressure after only two competitive matches in charge, given the club’s plight on and off the field.

Less than 24 hours before the second leg, talismanic midfielder Gus Ledes was omitted from the matchday squad with the club releasing a statement claiming the decision was due to “non football reasons”. To make matters worse, Hungarian winger Ádám Gyurcsó was also cut from the squad and told he could leave the club.

Supporters jeered players at full time and a group gathered outside the AEK Arena and continued to voice their frustrations.

The following day, AEK’s Ultras released the following statement:

“ “THIS IS NOT AEK” was the common phrase used most of the time in the stadium and also outside the stadium as our fans protested.

During yesterday’s match, the only player who showed up was the team’s sole and irreplaceable 12th player, its supporters.

We want to thank the supported who showed up as always despite the heavy 3-0 loss in the first match.

What we watched yesterday and also the previous Thursday can only be described as TRAGIC.

A group without a beginning, middle and end.

We don’t just blame the footballers, maybe they are the last ones to blame.

The responsibility lies with EVERYONE without exception. From the entire board of directors of AEK, Roca, the coach, the players to the last person who makes up the edifice of AEK.

Let it be known, the supporters follows AEK faithfully everywhere.

We followed the club through the most difficult moments of its history, we followed it in the second division villages, we will NEVER stop doing it, the fans will ALWAYS be there for the club. Because the fans of AEK, the people of LARNACA come to the stadium because they love ​​the Kition Sports Association, they don’t come for the money or the salaries, on the contrary –  they give money and more.

Last year we had an squad that fell short of the league title on goals scored – one solitary goal. Two months later, the same man who set up that squad tore it down with key player releases and poor replacements for last year’s players.

Gentlemen, we do not care who are responsible for this disgrace that we have been watching since last Thursday.

The ONLY thing we care about is that AEK finds its way, and that those responsible for this tragedy that we are witnessing finally take responsibility.

THOSE WHO CANNOT AND CANNOT STAND THE PRESSURE OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP

THOSE WHO CAN’T AND CAN’T STAND THE PRESSURE OF BEING IN A BIG TEAM AGAIN

We are also referring to footballers and employees and everyone who makes up the structure of AEK.

Some of you haven’t realised how BIG a team AEK is and that’s why you don’t feel the pulse of the fans.

People DEMAND THE CHAMPIONSHIP. Anything short of a championship is considered a failure. This is why you MUST learn to tolerate and listen to strong criticism and harsh words.

As AEK Ultras WE DEMAND from the President and the Board of Directors to IMMEDIATELY make the necessary decisions and changes to put our team where it deserves to be.

If what needs to be done to win the championship is not done, we will be MERCILESS with everyone without exception.

We want agents, coaches and players who can lift the team on their shoulders in difficult times.

In the next few days there will be a meeting of the board of the association where SERIOUS AND STRICT DECISIONS will be made for this year.

Panhellenic Association of AEK Fans

Larnaka Guardians”