Linfield defeated by Limassol

AEL Limassol 3-0 Linfield

Published Wednesday, 18 July 2012

Linfield have it all to do in their Champions League Second qualifying round second leg tie against AEL Limassol after they fell to a 3-0 defeat at the Tsirion Stadium.

David Jeffrey's men lost out against AEL Limassol. (© Pacemaker)

AEL skipper Edwin Ouon had a goal disallowed after five minutes after his header was ruled offside during Wednesday's match against the Cypriot side.

Patrick Vouho gave the hosts a 16th-minute lead before Ouon doubled their advantage after 29 minutes to go 2-0 at half time.

Former Charlton striker Chris Dickson sealed the win nine minutes into the second half.

Players need a lot of credit after that, 36 degree heat would have took it out of theplayers. Bring it back to Windsor Next week. #COYB
— LFC 1886 (@Linfield_FC) July 18, 2012

Blues manager David Jeffrey praised his side after describing the encounter as "probably the hardest european contest that I have had during my managerial career".

"They were incredibly, incredibly good," he said of AEL Limassol.

"They moved the ball very, very quickly. We set up to try and contain them. The simple quickness of their play and their athleticism were just terrific," he told Linfield's website.

"We had to reorganise play tactically even though the system we set up was to frustrate them but they were just cutting through. We had a team of heroes on the night.

"They worked so very hard. I've got to say in the 54th minute when the third goal went in I feared the worst. The three goals came from set pieces. I'm proud of the players. I was hoping for respectability and certainly it's no disgrace to lose to such a top quality side."

The return leg will take place next Wednesday at Windsor Park in Belfast.

Comments

5 Comments

jim in lisburn wrote (330 days ago):

Never fear the Ifa have plenty more money for ifalinfield to try and build a squad for next year ,the rest can just try and build all by themselves SAME old story .

s magowan in belfast wrote (332 days ago):

rea and ifa fc should get a grip.Linfield pay their players the same wages as the rest of the Irish League clubs.The lack of funds in the Irish League down to the IFA not getting enough financial support from Stormont.

IFA FC in Belfast wrote (334 days ago):

David Jeffrey's IFA may be the big club when it comes to playing underfunded clubs in their own domestic league. Put them in against a below average European team and they get thumped. Paddy may be right AEL Limassola may be a very good team but only in comparison to a very poor IFA side.

Paddy in West Belfast wrote (334 days ago):

Linfield players gave it their best shot in terrible conditions against a very good side. Make mine a double!

REA in Belfast wrote (335 days ago):

Pity about the IFA and Stormont sponsored Linfield getting beat in europe,guess they,ll just have to throw even more money in there direction.