Neftçi no match for Vaslui surge

SC Vaslui overturned a 2-1 deficit on home soil to progress to the UEFA Cup second qualifying round at PFC Neftçi's expense in their first season in UEFA club competition.

Early chances
The visitors from Azerbaijan almost put the downpayment on a notable result after just two minutes as Oleh Herasyumyuk, but his shot was saved superbly by Vaslui's Dušan Kuciak. Two minutes later, Vaslui were on the offensive, with Mike Temwanjera's header drifting just wide, and Stanislav Genchev then drew an important save out of Vladimir Mićović.

Off the bar
Neftçi continued to threaten on the counterattack, with Giorgi Adamia's cross-cum-shot bouncing agonisingly off the crossbar on 27 minutes, but three minutes later Vaslui were ahead, with Lucian Burdujan driving home a superb shot from the edge of the area. Vaslui continued to press forward, and while Marko Ljubinković wasted a 38th-minute chance, Zimbabwean Temwanjera made no mistake from a Hugo Luz cross before the interval.

Pragmatic approach
With the scores in their favour, Vaslui held back after the interval, but still carved out further opportunities with Burdujan and Marian Aliuţă looking dangerous. Neftçi still looked dangerous on the break, but they failed to make much of an impact on a wary Vaslui defence, and the home side were rewarded for their endeavours at the final whistle.