Omonia were left to once again rue an early exit from Europe after tumbling out of the Europa League second qualifying round on Thursday night at the hands of Israeli visitors Beitar Jerusalem.
John Carver’s side were guilty of wasteful finishing in the first leg in Israel when they lost 1-0 but were guilty of poor defending this time around as they conceded two sloppy goals in their 3-2 win.
The Israel visitors advanced on the away goal rule.
Omonia got off to a powerful start when defender Bruno Nascimento – who was making his debut – struck the crossbar from a header in the second minute.
But he then made an awful mistake when he sent his weak clearance into the path of Beitar danger-man Omer Atzily who hammered the ball into Costas Panayi’s corner.
Amir Agajev level proceedings shortly after a through ball from Gerasimos Fylaktou but then Nascimento turned villain again when he brought down Etey Shechter in the area and Atzily rifled home the penalty.
Their lead was short-lived – Cillian Sheridan also scoring from the spot in first half stoppage time after Kobi Moyal handled in the area.
Omonia’s nerves appeared to play on them as they struggled in the second half and it was only when Carver brought on Onisiforos Roushias that the hosts came alive. The Cypriot international firing an unstoppable volley from Renato Margaca’s cross with ten minutes left on the clock.
The Israelis held firm for the remainder of the game while George Florescu came agonisingly close to snatch a late winner but fluffed his lines with the goal at his mercy.
Cyprus Weekly