To make it into the top 8, Rapid must end this series at home against FC Copenhagen at the end of the league stage next Thursday (9 pm). Only these will avoid the first knockout round in the spring. It was already clear that the Green-Whites would survive the winter in the European Cup after three wins and a draw from the first four games.
Fast-paced coach Robert Klauß used the same starting line-up as in Saturday’s impressive 2-2 league draw in Salzburg. Guido burgstaller, who was suspended at the time and has scored six goals in ten European Cup games so far this season, was first on the substitutes’ bench. In his place,Nikolaus Wurmbrand stormed again from the start. For the 18-year-old, it was his first time in the European Cup starting eleven.Isak Jansson came on at half-time for captain Matthias Seidl.
In front of nearly 1,000 traveling supporters, Rapid were clearly the team in control before the break. But Omonia closed the center and made life difficult for the Hütteldorf family. The first header from Louis Schaub after a cross from Jonas Auer went a little too central towards the goal and was therefore reachable by Omonia goalkeeper Francis Uzoho (11th). Seidl’s shot went over (28th), Wurmbrand failed to reach the ball behind after the captain passed it (43rd).
On the other side, Niklas Hedl had to intervene for the first time when Alpha diounkou shot (37′). Five minutes later, a touch-down shot from the Cypriot full-back went just wide of the goal.Shortly after the break, Kakoulli took advantage of a lack of concentration in the fast defense. Omonia’s lone striker escaped Bendeguz Bolla on the left wing and sunk high into the far corner.
Rapid were behind for the first time in the current league stage and the state of shock lasted about ten minutes. Then Auer asserted himself strongly on the left side, found Beljo in the penalty area – and the Croatian kept his calm in the turmoil and pushed in to equalize. The Hütteldorfers’ joy was short-lived; recent substitute Semedo gave them another low blow with a powerful shot into the far corner after receiving a pass from Kakoulli.
Klauß addressed Burgstaller to Wurbrand, but the turnaround was no longer triumphant. Uzoho took a shot from Jansson (85th), Hedl had to stretch to get a header from Alioum Saidou (86th). With a final free kick in stoppage time, the Rapid goalkeeper moved forward. But as Jansson played the ball into the opponent’s legs, Saidou ran alone into the empty goal and made the final decision.
Rapid are still waiting for their first win in Cyprus. After five guest appearances at clubs on the Mediterranean island,there have been four wins and one draw. On the other hand, Omonia ended a negative streak of three consecutive nil defeats in the Conference League. The fourth-placed Cypriot team can once again dream of promotion.
