A friendly defeat, but accompanied by a positive performance, was accepted by our national team at the “Szusza Ferenc” stadium in Budapest, from Hungary.
Cyprus lost 1-0 in the penultimate rehearsal of the Hungarians in view of their participation in the Euro, with the only goal of the match being scored in the 36th minute by a powerful shot by Saffer, which after Varga's turn was unmarked in the heart of the region.
Apart from the goal, our national team was in danger only in a few cases, as most of the home team's final efforts did not worry Michael, while in their only really good opportunity in the second half, our goalkeeper impressively (86 ′) repulsed the penalty kick (86 ′) of Nikolic (overthrow of Saffer by Andreou).
Cyprus, on the other hand, which in another game with Nikos Kostenoglou on the bench had a good presence, could reach a draw at the beginning of the replay, a period in which it threatened three times, with two shots by Pitta at 54 ′ and one of Abraham at 57 ′.
Omonia defender Adam Lang played a key role for 61 minutes against Hungary, facing three of his teammates (Psalti, Kousoulos, Papouli) while the former Apollon defender Attila Salai played throughout the match.
For our national team follows the -also away- friendly on Monday (7/6, 19:00) with Ukraine.
The evolution of the struggle
End of race
86 Μι Michael εντυπω impressively blocks Nikolic's penalty kick!
85 'Penalty for Hungary, for Safer's overthrow by Andreou.
79 ′ Substitution for the Hungarians, Nagy instead of Siger.
78 ′ Sixth change for Cyprus, Andreou in place of the injured Karo.
77 ' Yellow card to Ioannou.
74 ' Hambo shoots from outside the box.
-The image of our national team continues to be positive.
71 ′ Three changes for Cyprus, Filiotis, Loizou and Gogic instead of Psalti, Papouli and K. Artymata respectively.
67 ' Shot by Varga, outside.
65 ' Yellow card to Siger.
63 ′ First changes for Cyprus, M. Elias instead of Christofi and Hambos instead of Kastanos.
61 ′ Triple change for Hungary, Orban instead of Lang, Bola instead of Lovrencic, Nikolic instead of Hahn.
58 ' Yellow card to Psaltis.
-Our national team entered the replay much better and threatens for a draw.
57 ′ Abraham's shot, the Hungarian goalkeeper collects with a second attempt.
54 ' Pitta's new shot, Deepus saves his home again.
54 ′ Opportunity for Cyprus with a shot by Pitta from the height of the area, Dipous fell and was repulsed.
46 ′ Double change for the Hungarians, Dipus instead of Gulasi and Nego instead of Kleinheisler.
Second half
42 ' Lovrencic's shot, out.
36 'GOAL, Hungary 1-0 with Safer. After Varga turned from the left, he found himself unmarked in the heart of the area and opened the score with a powerful shot.
34 τει Kleinheisler falls in the area asking for a penalty, the Slovenian ref says nothing, correctly, as there was no overthrow by Sotiriou.
27 ' Holender's shot from the side, went to surprise Michael, outside.
25 ' Siger's shot misses.
-The Hungarians hold the ball more, they try to enter our area but they did not threaten Michael's goal in the first 15 minutes.
9 ′ Opportunity for Cyprus, although no final effort was recorded. After a dangerous shot by Christofis, Papoulis for a while did not manage to push the ball into the net.
– The match has started.
HUNGARY : Goulasi (46 τι Dipus), Botka, Lang (61 ′ Orban), Salai, Varga, Lovrenτςiτς (61 ′ Bola), Saffer, Siger (79 ′ Nagy), Kleinheisler (Ni γκο Nego) ), Holder
CYPRUS : Michael, Psaltis (71 ′ Filiotis), Karo (78 ′ Andreou), K. Sotiriou, N. Ioannou, K. Artymatas (71 ′ Gogic), Kastanos (63 ′ Hampos), Papoulis (71 ′ Loizou), A Abraham, Pittas, Christofi (63 ′ M. Elias)
YELLOW: Shigeru (65 ') / Psaltis (58'), John (77 ')
REFEREE : Matej Jug (Slovenian)
