anorthosis withstand rapid response published: wednesday 6 august 2008, 23.28cet rapid wien 3-1 anorthosis famagusta (agg: 3-4) an early away goal for cypriot champions anorthosis meant that rapid's second-half recovery was in vain.
by harald saller from vienna
anorthosis famagusta fc are through to the uefa champions league third qualifying round after sk rapid wien's second-leg win was not enough to overturn last week's 3-0 loss in cyprus.
away goal vincent laban struck after 13 minutes for the visitors to leave rapid needing five goals to turn the tie, and although erwin hoffer equalised on the night and stefan maierhofer scored twice after half-time, anorthosis always maintained the aggregate led. they will now take on greek champions olympiacos cfp for a place in the group stage having previously fallen against rangers fc, hertha bsc berlin and k. lierse sk at the last hurdle.
early strike cheered on by a crowd of 17,000 fans, rapid took the game to anorthosis from the start but the first goal came against the run of play when laban rose high to head in siniša dobrašinović's cross with home keeper gerhard koch wrong-footed. rapid kept up the charge, though, and their task became slightly less daunting when hoffer reacted quickest to a 22nd-minute veli kavlak corner.
comeback in vain with only half an hour gone, rapid coach peter pacult sent on attacking midfielder christian thonhofer for defender andreas dober and it almost paid off when captain steffen hofmann came close a few minutes later. however, it was not until past the hour mark that rapid took the lead on the night, 17-year-old christopher drazan setting up maierhofer, and the same pair combined again four minutes later. now rapid were only two goals away, but anorthosis proved equal to all the austrian side had to offer and next week they will welcome olympiacos.
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