Cyprus vs Luxembourg Analysis and Ratings

Cyprus vs Luxembourg Analysis and Ratings

By Steve Kountourou

After an encouraging 2nd half performance against Greece midweek, Cyprus had a point to prove going into this game back in Nicosia, vs a Luxemburg side that defeated them last time out away 2-0. It was also an opportunity to put their scoring demons behind them and give themselves the best possible chance of not getting relegated to League D of the Nations League. In the first 5 minutes however, after Cyprus failed to clear the ball from their box Luxmeburg fired themselves in front in the first minute to make it 0-1 and put the home side on the back foot almost immediately. It was eventually given as an own goal to Kousoulos. Cyprus tried to find some momentum after the conceded goal, but after losing possession via a number of fouls, It was Luxemburg that looked the better side in the first 15 minutes, with shades of the previous encounter very prevalent in this current match.

10 minutes till half time, Cyprus fortunes were turned on its head when Elias was brought down in the box, Luxemburg went down to 10 men and Cyprus were rightfully given a penalty. Kastanos stepped up to take it and slotted it in, hitting the post in the process before bouncing in to give Cyprus the equaliser. With a man advantage Cyprus pressed Luxemburg, looking to go ahead but were unable to really pressure the opposing defence who looked to shut up shop and park the bus. Both sides played out to half time where it finished 1-1.

Cyprus started the second half on the front football and really pressed Luxembourg to find another goal to put them ahead. After a well taken shot by Elias was saved the ensuing corner was palmed out and Cyprus pressed on. Even out of possession Cyprus continued to press Luxembourg to make mistakes and lose the ball, a style of play that seems to have started to be well adopted by Johan Walem’s side. Towards the hour things seemed to be fairly even in possession with Cyprus starting to give away silly passes and Luxemburgs attack and lack of an extra man canceling out any real chances. 

With the match still level Cyprus made some chances and both Kyriakou and Thomas Ioannou seemed to impact the game positively. Pittas had a huge chance to score minutes later as Nickolas Ioannou’s cross found the winger on open in the box only for the shot to go straight into the keepers gloves. After a couple more close chances, Cyprus finally went ahead. A fantastic pass from striker Elias found the run of Kastanos who slotted it past the keeper to make it 2-1 to Cyprus and under 20 minutes away from their first win of the campaign.

Despite going ahead, Cyprus looked determined to find a third goal and truly put what could be their first victory to bed. Artymatas gave away a silly freekick in their haf but thankfully it came to nothing. Thomas Ioannou fizzed in a cross which found the head of Elias, but the connection was not quite there and it was dragged just wide of the post. With added time looming Cyprus started to become rather lazy in possession, with Luxemburg handed a golden chance to equalise late on which was well saved by Dimitriou and in the build up Cyprus won a foul in the box. After winning the foul in the attacking half Cyprus took as much time as possible to take the ensuing free kick. The ball fell to Ioannou who could not find the target but it did not matter because Cyprus would claim a much deserved win over Luxemberg and a chance to not finish bottom of their group if they can get a result when they play Montenegro next week.

Cyprus Ratings 

So after another exciting display for Cyprus here are my ratings for each player.

GK Dimitris Dimitriou 7

Did his best to prevent the early goal but was not supported by his defenders. Was not hugely troubled after that and made some decent recoveries. Was sharp when called upon late on in the game to help his side stay ahead.

RB Minas Antoniou 6.5

Seemed more at home in defence then higher up the pitch in the previous match, worked hard to regain the ball. Seemed to deal with Luxemburgs star winger very well when called upon. Was subbed off in the last seven minutes.

CB Kostas Laifis 6.5

Made a few suspects pass straight to the opposition in dangerous areas. Worked harder in the defensive side then he has previously, probably deserved his frappe after that.

CB Christos Shelis 6.5

Looked a little more solid than in the previous fixture and made a couple of interesting long balls forward to try get the ball up the pitch.

LB Nickolas Ioannou 6

Played the highline for most of the first half and linked up decently with the midfield. Still flitted in and out of the game however. When in the game made some smart passes on the attack.

CDM Ioannis Kousoulos 5

Was at fault and scorer of his own goal early in the match, looked a frustrated figure after that mistake. Looked a bit of a liability in the middle of the park. Looked better in the 2nd half after his mishap. Was subbed off just passed the hour mark.

CM Grigoris Kastanos 8.5 MOTM

Tired to make some nice passing moves to help Cyprus up the pitch. Score the equaliser cooling to bring his side level. Was a real focal point for his side tonight. Took his second goal excellently to put Cyprus ahead for the first time in the Nations League this season. Was subbed off with seven minutes to go.

CM Kostas Artymatas 6

Actually noticed him today with some nice link up play with Tzonis. Although he seemed to disappear again in the second half. Gave away a free kick that thankfully came to nothing. Improved late on with some nice long passes up the field.

LM Marinos Tzonis 6.5

Was a bright part of the Cyprus attack out on the left in the first half. Took on his man well in an attempt to find a goal scoring opportunity. Was subbed off just passed the hour mark.

ST Marios Elia 8

Had a quiet first half with little of Cyprus attempts getting through to him. Was brought down in the box and earned his side a deserved penalty. Excellent well timed assist to Kastanos in the second half. Had a close header just go just wide.

RM Ioannis Pittas 7

Started slowly but as the first half wore on he was creating more chances for his side and was fairly diynamic on the right.Had a golden chance to score in the 65 minute but his shot was comfortably saved. Had a chance that went just wide late on.

Substitutes 

Chambos Kyriakou 6

Looked much more solid than his predecessor, Kousoulos, and impacted the game well when he came on in holding midfield. 

Thomas Ioannou 7

Worked well in the more advanced position and gave Cyprus more creativity with a number of crosses. Put a great chance for Elias on a plate with ten minutes to go.

Charis Kyriakou N/A

Came on to cement Cyprus lead with less than ten minutes to go. Did not impact the game enough to get a rating from me.

Vasilios Papafotis N/A

Came on for Kastanos, did not really impact the game enough to get a rating from me.

Manager Rating: 

Johan Welam: 8

Hands down his best game as Cyprus manager. Really built on that performance vs Greece and took advantage of having a man up on Luxemburg. Substitutes he brought on really impacted the game and my faith will be restored in him and this project, if, and it's a big if, he can get Cyprus playing like this in most games, fantastic result for him and his team.

Hellas Football 

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