Nicosia: Apollon secured an emphatic win, while AEK Larnaca and Pafos FC suffered away defeats in the first legs of their European second qualifying-round ties on Thursday. Apollon took a major step towards the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League with a 4-0 victory over Dila Gori in Georgia in their first competitive match of the season.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Brandon Thomas was the standout performer, scoring once and setting up Kevin Weissbeck for another. An own goal extended Apollon's lead before Alen Ozbolt completed the scoring in the 87th minute. The result leaves Apollon firmly in control ahead of next week's return leg at the ALPHAMEGA Stadium.
AEK Larnaca, meanwhile, lost 1-0 to Beitar Jerusalem in the first leg of their Conference League tie and will seek to overturn the deficit in next week's return leg in Romania. Mauro Camoranesi's side finished the match with ten players after Mike van der Hoorn was sent off in the 75th minute. Carabali scored the only goal of the match with a direct free kick to secure victory for the Israeli side.
In the Europa League, Pafos FC were beaten 2-0 by Hajduk Split in Croatia. Michele Sego opened the scoring in the 56th minute with a direct free kick that struck the crossbar before finding the net. Dario Melnjak doubled the hosts' lead nine minutes later, converting from close range. Pafos will now look to overturn the deficit in next week's second leg at the ALPHAMEGA Stadium in Limassol.