CELTIC HELD BY KAIRAT AS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PLAYOFFS HEAT UP
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
Celtic’s Champions League hopes hang in the balance after Brendan Rodgers’s side were held to a goalless draw by Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty in the first leg of their playoff tie at Parkhead on Wednesday.
The Scottish champions, who reached the knockout phase playoffs last season, struggled to break down a resilient Kairat team chasing a maiden appearance in the competition’s group stage.
James Forrest came closest for Celtic, forcing a superb save from goalkeeper Aleksandr Zarutskiy early in the second half, while Daizen Maeda wasted a late chance when through on goal. Kairat also threatened when Brazilian forward Edmilson attempted an audacious lob after a defensive lapse from Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Rodgers admitted disappointment at both the result and his team’s first-half display, saying: “We didn’t start with the intent and mentality we wanted to. We were quite passive. There’s no doubt we can go there and win, but it’s still very much in the balance.”
Celtic now face a daunting return leg in Almaty next week, near Kazakhstan’s border with China.
In Istanbul, Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce were also held to a 0-0 draw by Portuguese giants Benfica. Despite playing with 10 men after Florentino’s second-half dismissal, Benfica held firm and will look to finish the job in Lisbon.
Elsewhere, Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt all but secured a historic first group-stage appearance with a resounding 5-0 thrashing of Austria’s Sturm Graz, with Kasper Hogh, Odin Bjortuft, Ulrik Saltnes, Hakon Evjen and an own goal from William Boving sealing the win.
In Switzerland, Basel were held 1-1 by Copenhagen at St Jakob-Park. Xherdan Shaqiri’s penalty gave the hosts an early lead, but Gabriel Pereira equalised before half-time. Basel finished with 10 men after Jonas Adjetey’s dismissal, while a late Andreas Cornelius strike for Copenhagen was ruled out for offside.
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