AEK Ready to Fight for Title (Playoffs, Matchday 7 Recap)
AEK Ready to Fight for Title
(Playoffs, Matchday 7 Recap)
CYPRIOT FIRST DIVISION - PLAYOFFS (MATCHDAY 7)
Marios Antoniou from AGONAsport.com brings you a full recap of Matchday 7 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.
A 7 goal game was played at the Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium as the hosts Anorthosis managed to prevail against Omonoia with a 4-3 scoreline. Omonoia got off to a great start and just 2 minutes into the game, goalkeeper Koprivec denied Derbyshire’s penalty kick, however the visitors opened the scoring with Cleyton Silva 10 minutes later. Anorthosis managed to equalise with Mitrovic (30), but Omonoia regained the lead with Toure just four minutes later. The hosts, however, scored twice before half time with Joao Victor and Oliveira to go into the break with a 3-2 lead. Omonoia found the equaliser with Derbyshire in the 72nd minute, but Andre Alves gave the hosts all three points with his penalty kick late in the game. The win for Anorthosis comes after a roller coaster week where they were handed an embarrassing 6-0 loss by Apollon in the 1st leg Cup semi-final. Omonoia are still two points behind AEL for the final Europa League spot with just three games remaining.
AEK hosted Apollon in a game with great importance for second place in the standings with AEK coming away with a 1-0 win. AEK dominated the first half, however they did not manage to find the back of the net while Apollon did not look like the team that scored 6 goals against Anorthosis a few days before. The goal that separated the sides at the final whistle came from Acoran deep in the second half, moving AEK into 2nd place, four points behind APOEL, before they face the league leaders next week in Nicosia. Apollon are 7 points behind APOEL with three games remaining and waved their hopes for this year’s title goodbye.
APOEL took a big step closer to the championship after a 1-4 beating of AEL in Limassol. The visitors were the better side in the first half and with Vander scoring a beautiful goal and giving an assist to Ebecilio, APOEL went into halftime with a 0-2 lead. Pieros Sotiriou’s header gave APOEL a 3 goal lead before AEL pulled one back with Mitrea’s penalty. However, Pieros put the game to bed with a late strike to form the final score 1-4. APOEL continue to lead the league by 4 points, ahead of 2nd place AEK, and if they manage to defeat AEK next week in Nicosia, the Galazokitrini will be crowned champions. AEL remain in 4th place and hold the final ticket for next year’s Europa League. sfh
In a real relegation six pointer, Aris defeated Doxa 0-1 at the Makareio stadium. Minas Antoniou’s goal separated the sides at the final whistle. The result moves Aris 6 points clear of the drop while Doxa sit in last place, three points behind Karmiotissa..
Karmiotissa failed to increase their lead on Doxa as they fell 0-1 to Ermis. Karmiotissa controlled the game and wasted many chances, however a penalty kick from Martinyuk gave Ermis the victory. Moreover, Karmiotissa lost Adamovic with a red card and will be without their most valuable player in next week’s crucial matchup against Doxa. Ermis continue to lead the second group, while Karmiotissa are only three points clear of the drop zone.
Salamina hosted Ethnikos Achnas in a rather indifferent game with Ethnikos winning 0-1. A goal from Kacharava early in the match gave Ethnikos all three points. The result leaves Salamina in 2nd place of the second group while Ethnikos are 3rd and 8 points clear from any relegation trouble.
by: Marios Antoniou
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