GAMES Anderlecht ended its second friendly game with a 2-2 draw against the Cypriot AEK Larnaca. Anderlecht led 2-0, but had to concede two goals in the end. The equalizer fell in the added time.
Not a lot happened in the first half, which is no wonder given the tremendously high temperatures. Kikkenborg almost repeated his blunder from Gent, but this time without serious consequences. The Danish goalkeeper also defused a header on a corner, but by then half-time was in sight. Anderlecht did not appear in the play in the first half where Hatenboer was taken out (probably as a precaution) after a collision with a Cypriot.
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Continue reading After halftime, Anderlecht (with an almost completely different team) played a little better and took the lead just before the hour when Tajaouart intercepted a poor Larnaca kick-in and immediately played to Vazquez. The Argentine did not hesitate and scored. A few minutes later, the roles were reversed. De Corte (on the left flank) nicely sent Vazquez deep and the Argentine reached Tajaouart who cleverly doubled the score. Vazquez and Tajaouart both had another chance later on, but this time they failed to score.
Anderlecht seemed to be on the way to victory, but defended too laxly after a corner in minute 77. A cross was easily headed into goal by a Larnaca player who had all the time in the world. Anderlecht itself was dangerous once more through Stroeykens after a good attack, centrally through the axis of the field. However, the ball ended up too simply in the hands of the AEK goalkeeper. In the added time, the visitors got the lid on their noses. Larnaca took a free kick around the halfway line, but a player was completely free on the right. He penetrated into the penalty area and found a foot that processed his low cross into goal.
After a game in such temperatures, it is best not to draw too many conclusions. The fact is that Hasi hardly changed outside of the two teams that played one half each. After halftime, Anderlecht played at the back with several players from the Futures such as Baouf, Engwanda and Barry. Llansana did not appear in action yet.
