In their second loss in four days by the same scoreline, Cyprus was defeated by a 10-man Wales in their Euro Cup qualifiers in Cardiff.
A defeat against Israel on Friday and this week’s loss deleted any hopes garnered from the opening group match win against Boznia and Herzegovina.
Elimination prospects are now high for the Cypriot team, who failed to get ahead early on in their Wales match.
It took Wales just 13 minutes to capitalise on Cyprus’ poor defence, with winger David Cotterill scoring an easy goal.
They were 2-0 soon after when Hal Robson-Kanu used Gareth Bale’s expert kick to get another ahead of Cyprus goalkeeper Tassos Kissas.
Cyprus fought back after a rare break in the Wales defence, with Vincent Laban shooting a cross from a free-kick that had Wale’s goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey out of reach.
Cyprus’ hopes lifted again when Wales was left with 10 men after Andy King received a red card for a tackle from behind on Constantinos Makrides.
Cyprus tried desperately to get an equaliser, but both attempts by APOEL winger Giorgos Efrem went high and wide.
In their group, Wales are one point ahead of second placed Israel and three in front of group favourites Belgium, who have a game in hand. Cyprus sits in fourth position.
Cyprus’ next international game is on November 16 at home to Andorra in what is a must-win game if the national team is to have any hope of making at least the play-offs.
Source: Cyprus Mail, AP