Ael one step away from group stage of Champions League

 AEL Limassol are only one step away from qualifying for the UEFA Champions League and over the two legs in the play-off qualifying round they will have to beat Belgian champions RSC Anderlecht to progress into the group stage of the competition.

“Anderlecht are a very good team with plenty of Champions League experience; however, we are only interested in qualifying for the group stage of the competition and we will take the next two games as they come,” said AEL’s manager Pambos Christodoulou.

This is AEL’s first meeting with Belgian opposition, but Anderlecht have played three previous knockout ties against Cyprus teams, winning them all. The latest win came in the 2000/01 UEFA Champions League second qualifying round, when they beat Anorthosis Famagusta 4-2 at home then drew 0-0 in Cyprus.

“I think that the progression will be decided in the second game. What I expect from my players is to represent the club as best they can and, should we manage to advance to the group stage, that would be a historical success,” said Christodoulou, whose team is hoping to succeed APOEL as the giant killers of the Champions League.

Compatriots APOEL sprang a succession of surprises in last term’s Champions League by progressing from the second qualifying round all the way to the quarter-finals.

“We are proud of what APOEL achieved last season and we want to try and replicate their success. The first goal is to reach the group stage and we will take it from there,” Christodoulou said.

“Everyone knows that we are a team who play very aggressive football and that our defensive line is very strong, too. Statistically speaking, we actually had the best defence in Europe last season. My philosophy is that the defence starts from our attack.”

While Christodoulou’s team have yet to concede a goal in four qualifying matches so far, they face their toughest test in the Belgian outfit.

For one thing, Anderlecht manager John van den Brom will be able to count on Olivier Deschacht for this important European away match. The defender is back after being sidelined with an injury two weeks ago. In addition to Deschacht, Osama Hawsawi and Davy Roef will also be joining the line-up.

The game is scheduled to kick-off Wednesday evening at 9.45pm at Nicosia’s GSP Stadium in Nicosia with the Serbian referee Milorad Mažić in charge, while the return leg will be played next Tuesday at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium.