Cypriot Europa League hopefuls APOEL endured a diff icult evening Thursday night in Azerbaijan as they battled back from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw against Neftchi Baki.
Ivan Jovanovic’s side will need a win or a 0-0 draw in the second leg in Nicosia on Thursday to ensure their place in the group stages of the Europa League.
Neftchi fans waved flags of Turkey and the “TRNC” and chanted anti Cypriot and Greek slogans throughout the heated encounter.
Around 45 minutes prior to kickoff, fans of the home team clashed with police resulting in five arrests.
APOEL fans travelling to the stadium were also delayed after the road was blocked off by a fallen electricity cable.
As a result, the bus was forced to take an alternative route.
Ivan Jovanovic’s side were on the back foot for the majority of the game and their task wasn’t made easier by the notable absences of Brazilian duo Ailton and Gustavo Manduca.
Former Nea Salamina forward Julius Wobay and Flavinho both missed good chances for the hosts as goalkeeper Dionysis Chiotis stood firm.
The Azeri hosts upped the tempo in the latter stages of the game with substitute Mirhuseyin Seyidov’s shot being cleared off the line by Nektarios Alexandrou before they were eventually awarded a penalty on 82 minutes when Francisco Zuela fouled Flavinho in the box.
Mahir Shukurov scored from the penalty spot to erupt the home supporters but their joy was short-lived as barely a minute later Selim Benachour pounced on a schoolboy error in the Neftchi defence to draw the tie level and put Jovanovic’s men in the driving seat ahead of the return fixture at the GSP Stadium.

Cyprus Weekly