A week of draws, Wins for Anorthosis & Ermis (Matchday 5 Recap)
CYPRIOT FIRST DIVISION - MATCHDAY 5
| Date | Home Team | Score | Away Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22-Sep-17 | Aris | 0 - 0 | APOEL |
| 23-Sep-17 | Nea Salamis | 1 - 0 | AEK Larnakas |
| 23-Sep-17 | Omonia | 2 - 2 | Alki Oroklini |
| 23-Sep-17 | AEL Limassol | 1 - 1 | Apollon |
| 24-Sep-17 | Ermis | 2 - 0 | Ethnikos Achnas |
| 24-Sep-17 | Olymp. Nicosia | 0 - 0 | Pafos |
| 25-Sep-17 | Anorthosis | 2 - 0 | Doxa |
Marios Antoniou from AGONAsport.com brings you a full recap of Matchday 5 in the Cypriot First Division. Full standings and schedule can be found here. Highlights for each match can be found here.
APOEL were stalled in Limassol, as local Aris managed to hold on for an important point against the Nicosia giants in a match that ended goalless. APOEL saw most of the possession, but were unable to create clear goal scoring chances, while Aris fought hard to keep their opponents off the scoresheet to celebrate a well-earned point in the end. APOEL are now winless for a second consecutive matchday in Cyprus after losing to Anorthosis last week and have just 4 points after three games.
Nea Salamina shocked AEK Larnaka with a 1-0 win at home on Saturday. Mintikkis, who is on loan at Salamina from AEK, scored the only game of the match to give Nea Salamina their first win of the season. The hosts has started off the year with two draws and two losses before their triumph over AEK. As for AEK, the Larnakies were handed their second consecutive loss, leaving people at the club worried due to the bad performances.
An entertaining game was played in Nicosia as Omonoia played to a 2-2 draw with Alki Oroklinis. The visitors opened the scoring with Simoes’ header in the 30th minute before Omonoia responded seven minutes later with Christofi. Just before half time, Simoes netted his second of the night to re-give Alki the lead. Omonoia entered the second half determined to find the equalizer while Alki remained a threat on the counterattack as they held onto their lead. Derbyshire found the equalizer for the hosts, however it was wrongfully called off, but Fabrizio’s spot kick late in the game salvaged a point for Omonoia in a 2-2 draw.
The big derby of Limassol between AEL and Apollon did not result in a winner as the derby ended in a 1-1 draw. Apollon were the better side in the first half and opened the scoring with Maglica in the 31st minute before AEL equalised just 2 minutes after the restart, with Leonco’s header finding the mark. AEL pushed on for a second and came close in the final minutes, but Apollon’s goalkeeper Bruno Vale denied Aruabarrena’s penalty kick as the final score remained at 1-1.
After a series of bad results, Ermis managed to record their first win of the season, defeating Ethnikos Achnas 2-0. Two second half goals from Tsina and Emeghara gave Ermis an important 3 points in a low-key game on Sunday.
Olympiacos Nicosia and Pafos FC shared the spoils in a goalless draw as both teams earned a point in their fight to avoid relegation.
Anorthosis continued their winning spell with a 2-0 home victory over Doxa. Anorthosis’ captain Joao Victor was the one that found the breakthrough for the hosts in the 59th and doubled his side’s lead just 10 minutes later with his second goal of the game. The three points keep Anorthosis atop the table, four points clear of second placed AEK Larnaka.
