OMONIA coach Takis Lemonis is still confident that the Cypriot champions can make it through to the group stages of the Champions League despite being held 1-1 at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia by Austrian champions Salzburg on Tuesday night.

A last-gasp equaliser from the penalty spot by new signing Lomana Lua Lua kept the Nicosia giants in the third qualifying round tie, after they fell behind after only eight minutes.

“The final result decreases somewhat our hopes, but as the game developed it is actually a good outcome,” said Lemonis after the match.

“I am generally pleased with the players’ efforts but it was difficult because we conceded a goal so early.

“In the second half we became more aggressive but unfortunately we were unable to score goals,” he added.

Omonia goalkeeper Dragoslav Jevric allowed Gonzalo Zarate's shot to squirm under his body and into the corner of the net and any positive result looked a long way off for the Cypriots.

“That was definitely a mistake, but it does not mean that we should put all the blame on Jevric as he is a good goalkeeper and I trust him,” Lemonis explained.

“We have the ability to score in Austria. For me, the chances are 51-49 per cent in favor of Salzburg.

“Now that we have played once against them, we have a better picture of our opponents. Our team definitely showed that we can make it," concluded Lemonis.

Salzburg’s Coach Huub Stevens thinks his team can play better next week on home soil. “We started the first half the way we wanted. We played well in the opening 30 minutes and created plenty of space, but our game later collapsed and we had to play smart to kill the game off,” he said.

“There is no question for me about the chances we had but we can play much better.”

LuaLua, despite officially joining Omonia just a few days before the Salzburg clash, showed his class on the night. “I am not 100 per cent ready neither is the entire team,” he warned.

“Next week we will be much better. Nothing is lost yet and we have a realistic chance to advance.”