AEK and Omonoia share the points in Larnaka

CYPRIOT 1st DIVISION - (MATCHDAY 3)

Omonoia and AEK Larnaca share the points in a four-goal thriller in the weekend’s second Cypriot First Division derby

Watch LIVE GREEK TV including full GREEK SPORTS coverage with Go Greek TV!

In the second derby of the weekend, Henning Berg’s Omonoia visited Larnaka to face AEK. Ivan Trickovski gave the lead to the hosts with a penalty kick, but Dimitris Christofi equalized before half-time. Jordi Gomez turned the game around for the “Prasinoi,” however another spot kick goal by Trickovski in second-half stoppage time saw the two teams share the points in a 2:2 draw.

This was the first time this season that both teams have dropped points. Omonoia are leading the race with seven points from three games while AEK are a game behind and have four points from two games.

THE MATCH

The game started strong and just minutes after the kickoff, Omonoia missed the first big chance of the match. Charis Mavrias sent the cross from the right side with Tono Ramirez clearing the ball in front of Matt Derbyshire.

In the 8th minute, Ivan Trickovski received the ball in Omonoia’s penalty area and Michael Luftner, in his effort to clear the threat, hit AEK’s captain in the head and the referee pointed to the spot. Trickovski’s effort, however, was not good and Francis Uzoho denied him the opening goal with a leg save.

Three minutes later, it was Apostolos Giannou’s turn to be denied by Omonoia’s keeper in a face-to-face effort. Raul Ruiz took the rebound but from a close range, sent the ball way over the crossbar.

Omonoia picked up the pace and started creating opportunities in front of Tono’s posts. In the 25th minute, Dimitris Christofi had the effort but somehow managed to send it out, despite being in a good position. Two minutes later, Michael Luftner scored with his head from a free kick, but the referee called the goal back for a foul on the play.

In the 37th minute, AEK were awarded another penalty after Nacho Cases was brought down by Ioannis Kousoulos. Trickovski took the ball again and this time managed to beat Uzoho and put AEK in front.

Omonoia did not back down though and during first half stoppage time, leveled things up. After a beautiful passing game, Thiago Ferreira cleared through AEK’s defense and served Christofi the equalizer to send the two teams tied at 1:1 into half-time.

The second half was just as exciting as the opening half. Once again, Omonoia had the first effort with Hen Ezra forcing Tono to a big save after three minutes of play. AEK pushed forward to regain the lead, but Uzoho was ready for Trickovski yet again in the 64th minute.

While AEK were pressing, Omonoia were the team that found the back of the net. With a solo effort, Ezra found Christofi, who broke the offside trap, and despite Tono’s effort found Jordi Gomez who scored in an open net in the 67th minute.

Omonoia seemed to control the game easily while AEK failed create any real threats to equalize. During stoppage time, Miku went on a fast counter for Omonoia, Hector Hevel managed to stop him controversially, giving Tono the chance to clear the ball and despite Omonoia’s complaints, the referee signaled them to play on.

In the game’s dying moments, Florian Taulemesse won the ball in the heart of Omonoia’s defense and for the second time in the game, Kousoulos committed a penalty by bringing Taulemesse down from behind. Trickovski took the ball and under immense pressure, his third spot kick of the game, beat Uzoho to salvage a point for AEK.

LINEUPS

AEK Larnaka (Imanol Idiakez): Tono Ramirez (GK), Joan Truyols, Alberto Chamorro, Hector Hevel, Mikel Gonzalez, Carles Planas, Lluis Sastre, Raul Ruiz (Acoran Reyes), Nacho Cases (Ivan Fiolic), Apostolos Giannou (Florian Taulemesse), Ivan Trickovski ©

Omonoia Nicosia (Jesper Berg): Francis Uzoho (GK), Michael Luftner, Adam Lang, Jan Lecjaks, Jordi Gomez, Ioannis Kousoulos, Hen Ezra (Marinos Tzionis), Charis Mavrias, Thiago Ferreira, Dimitris Christofi (Vitor Gomez), Matt Derbyshire (Nicolas Fedor)

HIGHLIGHTS

By Marios Antoniou

Image Source: SportFM Cyprus

Thank you for visiting AGONAsport.com, the only English based website for Greek sports fans across the world! Like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, and Twitter for all the latest news in Greek Sports!