Late goals leave plucky St Andrews reeling

Two goals in the final minutes proved fatal for Luxol St Andrews as they went down 6-4 to Azerbaijan side Araz Naxcivan in their second Group 8 game from the Main Round of the UEFA Futsal Cup. It was St Andrew’s second defeat after losing 5-2 to hosts FC Deva on Wednesday. The game was off to a balanced start with St Andrews taking a 2-0 lead through Hrvoje Penava and Panu Autio but late in the first half, Maicon Da Silva Gaeiwski pulled one back for the Azeris. The start of the second half saw both teams create some flowing moves before Gaeiwski made it 2-2 for Araz. Rogerinho put St Andrews 3-2 up but Gaeiwski again equalised after his earlier effort was saved by Kenneth Rakvaag, the Luxol goalkeeper. Penava scored for Luxol to make it 4-3, following a Celino Alves free-kick, but six minutes from the end, Gaeiwski released Rafael Carvalho Vilela Dos Santos who levelled at 4-4. The closing minutes were very exciting with both teams using the flying keeper tactic. Araz went close when Carvalho Vilela Dos Santos hit the post while Penava also threatened for St Andrews. With two minutes remaining, Gaeiwski scored his fourth of the game to put Araz ahead and a minute later Bolinha sealed their win, leaving the St Andrews players deflated. St Andrews will face Bosnia’s Mostar in their final group game on Saturday while Araz conclude against FC Deva.