APOEL Maintain 4-Point Lead (Playoffs, Matchday 6 Recap)
APOEL Maintain 4-Point Lead
(Playoffs, Matchday 6 Recap)
CYPRIOT FIRST DIVISION - PLAYOFFS (MATCHDAY 6)
Marios Antoniou from AGONAsport.com brings you a full recap of Matchday 6 in the Cypriot First Division Playoffs. For the current Cypriot First Division standings and full schedule click here . Highlights for each match can be found here.
AEK recorded an important win on the road defeating Omonoia 1- 2 in Nicosia. The visitors started the match as the better side and found the back of the net just 10 minutes into the game with Truyols. Omonoia managed to equalize with Cleyton Silva, before Panagi denied Florian from the penalty spot to keep the scores at 1-1 going into half-time. A costly mistake from Katelaris as he attempt to pass the ball back to his keeper with a header turned into an own goal and the match winner for the visitors. AEK’s win pulled them within 4 points of the leaders APOEL, while Omonoia are 2 points behind 4th placed AEL.
APOEL blew the opportunity to regain a 7 point lead as Anorthosis managed to escape with a surprising 1-1 draw from Nicosia. The visitors dominated the first half and managed to open the score with Calderon in in the 36th minute. APOEL were a completely different side in the second half and by improving their performance they created many chances, until Yambere scored the equalizer late in the game. Despite the draw, APOEL still lead the table, but now lead both Apollon and AEK by only 4 points.
The derby of Limassol did not produce a winner, as local rivals Apollon and AEL played to a 1-1 draw. AEL took the lead in the first half with Pittim but Apollon struck in second half stoppage time with youngster Pittas salvaging an important point. Apollon retained the 4 point difference with APOEL as AEK sit tied with Apollon in the standings. AEL remain in 4th place still 2 points ahead of 5th place Omonoia.
Aris hosted Nea Salamina in an important game for the home side as they look to avoid relegation. It was the visitors though that opened the scoring with an incredible free kick by Grassi in the 17th minute. Aris improved their performance in the second half and they equalized with Pulpo Gonzalez 18 minutes from time to salvage a point. Nea Salamina sit 2nd in the relegation group, while Aris now lead Doxa by only 3 points in the final safety spot.
Ethnikos hosted Karmiotissa with both teams looking to stay away from relegation trouble in a match that ended in a 1-1 draw. Karmiotissa scored first with Manoyan, but Ethnikos managed to equalise early in the second half. Despite the open play in the second half from and many chances for both teams, neither side could find the winner with the match ending in a 1-1 draw. Ethnikos are 3rd, five points clear of relegation while Karmiotissa are in 5th place just 3 points clear of the drop.
Doxa put on a 5-star display as they scored 5 goals against Ermis, claiming a 1-5 win on the road. Doxa scored 3 goals in the opening half with Braulio, Redondo, and Corominas, while Grandin scored for Ermis. Goals from Castro and Tiago Gomes (penalty) added to the visitor’s triumph which now brings them within 3 points of Karmiotissa and Aris for the final safety spot. Despite the result, Ermis continue to comfortably lead the second group.
by: Marios Antoniou
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