Qualification to be decided in Romania
In a game in which PAOK had taken the lead and were in absolute control for the first half, an unthinkable decision by Belgian referee Lawrence Visser changed the balance and allowed FCSB to produce an upset at the Toumba Stadium. Still, the narrow 2-1 defeat leaves everything open for the second leg in Bucharest next week.
PAOK started the game with the required concentration and energy, quickly adapting to the conditions of the game and had the ball in the net after just eight minutes with a magical piece of play by Konstantelias. However, the ‘goal’ was disallowed as the ball had gone out of play in the build up.
As the half ticked over, PAOK gained more confidence and in the 21st minute the breakthough came. Pelkas played a one-two with Otto , crossed the ball and after it took a deflection Samatta was there to apply the finish and make it 1-0.
Razvan Lucescu’s team had complete control of the match and in the 34th minute could have doubled their lead, but the ‘goal’ scored by Samatta after an assist by Konstantelias was disallowed for being marginally offside.
The first setback in the match then came in the 37th minute. Michailides collided with Kotarski just outside the penalty area after eing pushed by Berlitzia, and he was unable to continue, witrh Colley coming on in his place.
At the end of the first half, the moment that was to decide the match came. Referee Visser showed an unthinkable second yellow card to Taison for a non-existent protest and left PAOK with a player less for the entire second half.
The sending-off affected the home players and FCSB took advantage of it. In the 50th minute, after a sustained attack, Gheorgheta made it 1-1 with a shot from inside the penalty area. Then shortly afterwards in the 60th minute, the Romanians took the lead with Dava heading in a corner.
In the remainder of the match, PAOK did produce a reactionm and tried to play their football despite the numerical disadvantage. Despite having some chances to grab an equalizer, with the best being a header by Colley after a free-kick by Despodov , they failed to get back on level terms.
The final 2-1 result gives FCSB a narrow lead in the battle for qualification, but PAOK will travel to Romania with belief and a plan that they can still tuen the tie around, and will of course give everything they can to make an upset and qualify to the next round.
Team lineups:
PAOK: Kotarski, Baba, Otto, Michailides (40’Colley), Kedziora, Schwab (69’Kamara), Meite (69’Ozdoev), Pelkas (61’Despodov), Konstantelias, Taison, Samatta (61’Brandon)
FCSB: Tarnovanu, Cretu, Radunovic, M. Popescu, Ngezana (46′ Dava), Chiriches (56′ Edjouma), Sut, Cisotti (83’Stefanescu), Tanase, Miculescu (46′ Gheorgheca), Birligea (68′ Alhasan).
