Unfancied Cyprus beat Wales 3-1 in Euro qualifier

NICOSIA, Oct 13 (Reuters) Cyprus beat Wales 3-1 in their European Championship Group D qualifier today, the home side coming back in the second half after a poor start.

Wales went ahead when an unmarked James Collins scored in the 21st minute.

Captain Ioannis Okkas equalised in the 59th minute when he headed the ball into the net after a free kick from Efstathios Aloneftis. He made it 2-1 nine minutes later after taking another cross from Aloneftis.

Constantinos Charalambides, brought in by coach Angelos Anatasiadis midway through the second half made it 3-1 for Cyprus in the 79th minute with a close-range header.

The result means Cyprus still have a chance of qualifying from the group which is led by Germany from the Czech Republic and Ireland.

Reuters DKS VP0112