Ghanaian international Ernest Asante came off the bench to help his team Athletic Club Omonia Nicosia beat Red Star Belgrade 4-2 on penalties to progress to the play-off round of the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League.

The game, which was played at the GSP Stadium in the Cyprus city of Nicosia, ended one apiece after extra time as Asante was introduced in the 118th minute by manager Henning Berg.

Omonia had taken the lead through Luftner Michael on the half hour Mark only for Red Star to equalize on the brink of halftime through Mirko Ivanic after he was set up by Comorian striker El FardouBerth.

Ernest Asante, who made his senior Ghana debut in March 2019 in an AFCON qualifying match against Kenya, was selected to be one of the first five shooters of Omonia during the shootouts and the Ghanaian did not disappoint as he successfully converted his kick to put his side 3-2 up.

Omonia went on to win the penalty contests by 4-2 following the heroics of Brazilian goalkeeper Fabiano who saved two of the four Red Star kicks.

Asante and his team will now face Greek giants Olympiacos in the play-off round as they seek to defy odds to reach the Champions League group stages.