AEK Larnaca edge Doxa; Salamina and Anorthosis play to draw

CYPRIOT FIRST DIVISION - MATCHDAY 9

AEK Larnaca earned a 2-1 win at home to Doxa Katokopias in the Cypriot First Division, while Nea Salamina and Anorthosis played to a hard-fought 2-2 draw.

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AEK Larnaca hosted Doxa Katokopias at the Giorgos Karapatakis AEK Arena. Doxa came knocking early, and Carlitos forced Tono Ramirez into a save and then hit the post with the rebound. Vladimir Boljevic then smacked the woodwork with a free kick.

At the other end, Simranjit Thandi played in a cross which found Ivan Trickovski who directed it past Andreas Paraskevas to make it 1-0 for AEK in the 14th minute. Doxa were undaunted, however, and Luis Carlos was denied from close-range by Ramirez. Ivan Fiolic tried to double the AEK advantage but his shot lacked power and Paraskevas saved it with ease. Ze Valente found himself alone with Ramirez, but he narrowly missed the far post.

Finally, Doxa broke through in the 76th minute, as Benjamin Asamoah unleashed a powerful strike which beat Ramirez. On replay, it seemed to deflect off an AEK player, but the goal was credited to Asamoah. Doxa had been carrying the play and had now equalized, but AEK got their lifeline when Carlitos got sent off for seemingly only tugging on Trickovski’s shirt.

It took AEK until the last minute of the game to make their numerical advantage count.

Fiolic did well to keep the ball in play and spotted Hector Hevel, who crossed in for Joszef Keaveny. Keaveny unleashed a header that at first glance seemed to be going wide, but it curled inside the far post and past Paraskevas. AEK are in fifth position, but Doxa are in 12th and last place.

Also in Larnaca, Nea Salamina hosted Anorthosis at Stadio Ammochostos in the battle between two clubs which used to call Famagusta home, but since the invasion of 1974 have played in Larnaca. This one got off to a fast start to say the least. Salamina struck first in the third minute, as Charles Eloundou lashed across a low cross and Jay Simpson was there to fire it first time past Giorgi Loria.

Anorthosis answered just a minute later, though, as, Nika Kacharava centered for Ruben Rayos who beat Tasos Kissas. The two teams created plenty of further chances in what turned out to be a pulsating first half.

Anorthosis took their first lead of the match midway through the second half with Giorgos Galitsios scoring from a corner.

Salamina answered with a corner of their own in the 74th minute. Ioannis Kosti fired a shot which Loria stopped, but Charles Eloundou potted the rebound home. Both sides sought a winner, but it was all in vain. Kissas made a save on Kostakis Artymatas at full extension, and then Loria made an equally nice stop on Jose San Roman. Salamina are in seventh place now, and Anorthosis are tied with Omonoia for first with a game in hand.

By: Andreas Mantzas

Image source: SportFM Cyprus

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