Metalist Kharkiv 1 : 2 Trabzonspor - Trabzonspor snatch late winner

Posted Friday, September 19, 2014 by PA

Avraam Papadopoulos scored with virtually the last kick of the game to earn Trabzonspor a well-deserved 2-1 victory at Metalist Kharkiv.

The home side offered little throughout the Group L encounter and will be disappointed with their performance as well as the result.

Former AC Milan man Kevin Constant gave the visitors a first-half lead with his first goal for the club and although the Ukrainians struck back through Volodymyr Homenyuk, Papadopoulos was on hand to score from close range in injury time to seal the win.

Cleiton Xavier had the first and only effort of what was a poor first half for the hosts, but his tame 30-yard shot drifted wide of Onur Kivrak's post.

The visitors, who were equally slow to get going, went ahead after 25 minutes when Sefa Yilmaz's inswinging corner was met by the head of Constant who directed his effort into the corner of the net.

It was Trabzonspor's first competitive goal of the season following two goalless draws in the league.

Yilmaz had the first shooting opportunity of the second half for Trabzonspor but the 24-year-old could not find the target from just inside the box.

Former Benfica striker Oscar Cardozo was replaced by fellow frontman Mustapha Yatabare after 57 minutes for Trabzonspor and the newcomer almost made an immediate impact, but his right-footed effort was caught by Oleksandr Goryainov.

The hosts levelled with their first meaningful effort of the match when Homenyuk headed home from close range.

The visitors responded by bringing on Mehmet Ekici for Salih Dursun to freshen up the midfield, before Yatabare forced another decent save from Goryainov after 78 minutes.

Trabzonspor were the only side looking likely to force a winner and the three points were theirs when, in the 91st minute, the Australian finished calmly from close range.