Gabala – Apollon (Cyprus) – 1:0

UEFA European League, 3rd Qualifying Round, return match
Date: Thursday, 6 August
Kick-off: 9:00 P.M. AZST,
Ground: Bakcell Arena, Baku.
Referee: Duarte Nunu Pereyra Gomes (Portuguese)
Assistant referees: Luis Andre Ferreyra Pintu Kampus, Venansio Manuel Raposo Batista Tome (both Portuguese)
4th official: Brunu Migel Duarte Payxao (Portuguese)
Referee inspector: Draqutin Karlo Polyak (Croatia)
UEFA members: Vladislav Xodeyev (Russia), Giorgi Pirtsxalava (Georgia)
Bookings: Aleks, 31, Papulis Fotis, 35, Javid Huseynov, 35, Ceyme, 59, Freyre, 69, Esteban Saketti, 79, Bruno Vale, 80, Turam, 90+1
Red cards: Urfan Abbasov, 90+1
Goal: Javid Huseynov, 80”-pen.
Stoppage time: I Part 1 min.; II Part 4 min.
First tie – 1:1

Gabala have won the return match of the UEFA EL Qualifying Round over Apollon 1:0 in Baku today. The match started by faster attacks from Gabala taking the most spaces. But the guests backed on counter attacks setting common threats. And it was Gabala driving the first pulsating occasion as Javid Huseynov set Sergei Zenyov to come one on one with the opponent keeper. But the Estonia-based striker failed to score.

Then Aleksey Antonov went too close to the opening goal after Huseynov”s corner shot was converted by Dashdamirov before the Ukrainian failed to finish clearly from a promising position.

Later on, Aleksey caught spotlight with his inch-perfect cross to Gabala captain Huseynov headed wide in the box. Latter on, he picked his 3rd season yellow in the 35th minute.

The match restarted with faster attacks by Gabala again with Antonov heading into 48th minute to shot on a perfect trajectory denied by the Apollon goalkeeper. Papulis attempt to feed back but Dmitri Bezotosny held on.

The goalless course of the match prompted Apollon to push hard with some changes before Aleks”s shot passed over the woodwork.

Then Dodo failed to find the net before more pressure by the visitors. But Javid”s telegraph to the box found Zenjov, but his shot was prevented by an opponent”s hand that led to penalty. Captain Huseynov prodded in for his 3rd goal of the season – 1:0. Right after the goal, Apollon through everything against Gabala, but Lakin Bezotosny stayed clear with 3 great saves on breathtaking occasions.

Urfan Abbasov was forced off with a red card in the closing minutes missing his chance of turning up in the next game.

The result left Gabala hitting tally to the play-off round of the UEFA EL for their first-ever. The next opponent name will come out tomorrow after the drawing of lots ceremony in Nyon, Switzerland.

Gabala lineup:
22. Dmitri Bezotosny
3. Vojislav Stankovic
21. Arif Dashdamirov
34. Urfan Abbasov
44. Rafael Santos
10. Dodo
6. Rashad Sadigov
14. Javid Huseynov
19. Aleksey Gai
9. Sergei Zenjov
69. Aleksey Antonov
(7. Ermin Zec, 71)

Subs.:
33. David Pietrzkevic
8. Mahammad Mirzabayov
15. Vitali Vernidub
4. Elvin Jamalov
11. Asif Mammadov
66. Samir Zargarov
Head coach: Roman Grigorchuk

Apollon lineup:
83. Bruno Vale
2. Elizio
3. Nuno Lopes
(9. Turam, 61)
4. Freyre
14. Ceyme
(8. Farli, 81)
5. Esteban Saketti
6. Markos Gullon
10. Aleks
17. Joao Pedro
26. Papulis Fotis
29. Georgias Kolokudias
(19. Guye Avraam,61)

Subs.:
23. Isli Xidi
27. Anjelis Anjeli
28. Marius Stilianu
42. Kristos Viler
Head coach: Pedro Emanuel