Zenit St Petersburg | 0 - 0 | Apoel Nicosia |
|---|---|---|
| Date | : | Wed, Nov 23, 2011 | Time | : | 18:00 CET |
| Play on | : | UEFA Champions League |
Zenit St Petersburg vs Apoel Nicosia Highlights
APOEL Nicosia Cyprus became the first to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League as it dug in a goalless draw against Zenit St. Petersburg.
Visitors came under intense pressure to freeze Petrovsky Stadion, barely registering a shot on goal, as it establishes a point, but clung to stay top of Group G.
Zenit could face punishment from UEFA for an incident in the second half, which saw the referee Felix Brych to have the players on the field by the smoke of a flare in the stands, but they remain favorites to join APOEL in recent 16 years.
The hosts dominated from start to finish.
In minute 26 Alexander Bukharov broke and on the right and climbed in the area, but he got the ball when he could shoot and the opportunity was lost temporarily.
The ball broke to Roman Shirokov to an uncomfortable height, and his volley was blocked by Marcelo Oliveira.
Bukharov should have done better after 31 minutes when he rose highest to meet Viktor Faitzulin corner but could only head straight at keeper Urko Rafael APOEL.
In minute 41 Faitzulin had an excellent chance of his own when he dropped the ball after a defensive error, but his volley was kept out at close range by Urko arm.
Bukharov had another chance before half-time, but once again his header was wayward, sliding away from the near post.
Domenico Criscito missed a great opportunity for two minutes of the restart when nailed at the bar after an excellent firing of Danny.
Ten minutes into the second period, the referee called a temporary halt to proceedings as for the second time in the match, the earth was enveloped in smoke, thanks to a light out among the fans.
When play resumed in the second half substitute Vladimir Bystrov announced his arrival as he headed against the bar, but I should have done better with the rebound that screws everything.
After 74 minutes, a lovely backheel from Bystrov film played in Bukharov. Urko came out to smother the chance, but Bukharov on the floor, he managed to get the ball goalwards, only for Paulo Jorge clear.
After a fight in the area, the ball broke to Faitzulin, whose shot was blocked on the line again by Paulo Jorge.
The siege continued as Danny sent a long range effort on goal, a reverse Urko overturned.
After these efforts, a penalty shout which waved Brych was the Zenit had left.
Zenit St Petersburg vs Apoel Nicosia Last 5 match
| Zenit St Petersburg | Apoel Nicosia |
| Nov 18, 2011, Zenit 0 - 0 Anzhi | Nov 1, 2011, APOEL Nicosia 2 - 1 Porto |
| Nov 6, 2011, Kuban 1 - 1 Zenit | Oct 19, 2011, Porto 1 - 1 APOEL Nicosia |
| Nov 6, 2011, Kuban 1 - 1 Zenit | Sep 28, 2011, Shakhtar Donetsk 1 - 1 APOEL Nicosia |
| Nov 1, 2011, Zenit 1 - 0 Shakhtar Donetsk | Sep 13, 2011, APOEL Nicosia 2 - 1 Zenit |
| Oct 27, 2011, Zenit 3 - 0 Volga Nizhny Novgorod | Aug 23, 2011, APOEL Nicosia 3 - 1 Wisla Krakow |
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