UEFA Cup/Derry City 0; Apoel Nicosia 3: The superior fitness level and technique of Apoel Nicosia saw Derry City crash out of the UEFA Cup at the Brandywell last night but, in truth, Dermot Keely's side did not dserve to be on the end of what appears to be a comprehensive defeat.
Having went behind to a soft opening goal in the 36th minute from a free-kick, Derry played courageously before conceding a further two goals during the final 10 minutes - fitness levels clearly the difference between the sides.
After a satisfactory 2-1 defeat in Nicosia, Derry started nervously and while scoring chances were at a premium, the home side went behind in the 36th minute.
Having been penalised for a high tackle, Marinos Satsias touched the ball into the path of Costakis Malekos and he drove it low into the net from 25 yards - through the Derry defensive wall.
Always dangerous on the break, Apoel had a superb chance to put the game beyond Derry's reach in the 42nd minute but a shot from Constantinos Charalaubides crashed into the side netting.
The home side opened the second period in determined fashion and two chances within the space of 60 seconds had Apoel in difficulty.
Liam Coyle did well to play Ciaran Martyn through in the 55th minute but in the one-on-one situation the midfielder's shot was smothered by goalkeeper, Morfis.
And within a minute the same Derry player brought the best out of the goalkeeper again with a superb shot from 18 yards.
With Derry throwing caution to the wind Apoel were prepared to defend in numbers. The visitor's skilful centre-half, George Ananatides, was dismissed in the 73rd minute having been shown a second yellow .
Booked in the 51st minute, the defender appeared to strike out at Derry's Michael Holt and the Croatin referee, having consulted an assistant, produced a second card.
With extra players caught forward, disaster struck Derry in the 80th minute when Apoel's impressive right-sided winger, Charalaubides raced through unchallenged to slide the ball wide of the advancing Alan Gough.
To rub salt into the Derry wounds Apoel added a third in the 90th minute. Malekos and Satsias combined to set up substitute, George Papandreon who tapped home from two yards to end the Northerners European adventure.
DERRY CITY: Gough, McCallion, McLaughlin, Clery, Hargan, Beckett, Hutton, Doherty, Martyn, Holt, Coyle. Subs: McGlynn for Martyn and Friars for Holt (both 83 mins.)
APOEL NICOSIA: Morfis, Amanatides, Okkarides, Kowalczyk, Malekos, Satisias, Daskalakis, Elia, Charalaubides, Michael. Subs: Papandreon for Kowalczyk (43 mins), Petkovski for Votava (70 mins), Petros for Elia (77 mins).
Referee: Ivan Bebek (Croatia).
