APOEL were left frustrated in their opening Champions League qualifier after being held to a 0-0 draw against The New Saints in their first leg tie in Wales.
Thomas Christiansen’s side dominated possession against the Welsh champions but failed to make it count against a stubborn TNS side that was happy to sit back in numbers and launch counter-attacks.
APOEL missed decent chances to score with Vander, Georgios Efrem, Pieros Sotiriou and Inaki Astiz all going close while, at the other end, Scott Quigley and Ryan Brobbell failed to convert their side’s few chances.
The second leg will take place at Nicosia’s GSP Stadium with the Cypriot champions favourites to advance into the next round.
“They had played differently in their previous game and we didn’t expect them to play so defensively,” said Christiansen. “They let us have the ball, we had control and possession but we were lacking patience and speed.”
“Everything is in our hands and it is up to us to get the win in Nicosia.”
Cyprus Weekly