AEL rebound as Omonoia slide continues
CYPRIOT 1st DIV.: CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFFS (MATCHDAY 2)
| AEL Limassol | 2 - 1 | Omonoia |
|---|---|---|
| Gabionetta 34' Sassi 73' |
Derbyshire 86' |
AEL Limassol took down Omonoia 2:1 in Limassol in the second matchday of the Cypriot First Division Championship playoffs.
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From the Tsirio Stadio in Limassol, 5th placed AEL Limassol hosted 6th placed Omonoia in the 2nd matchday of the playoffs. AEL took a beating to Limassol rivals Apollon last week, and Omonoia lost a derby of their own to bitter enemies, APOEL. AEL also have changed managers since then, Bruno Baltazar is out, and former AEL player Dusan Kerkez is in.
AEL had the early momentum, with multiple flurries in the Omonoia box, but Andreas Christodoulou had all the answers, and got some help from the woodwork, as well. Finally in the 34th minute, AEL would break down the door. A perfect through ball found Denilson, who caught Christodoulou just far enough off his line to chip the ball into the back of the net. Omonoia would attempt to respond, but an acrobatic save by Vozinha kept a powerful strike from Theophilus Solomon out of the net, keeping AEL in front 1:0 at the halftime break.
In the second half, possession was relatively even, but no serious threats to goal appeared until the 72nd minute when AEL would get their crucial insurance marker. David Teixeira set up an easy goal for Tunisian striker, Ismael Sassi, doubling the advantage for the home side. Omonoia did not give up, as an aerial cross was missed by Vozinha, which a grateful Matt Derbyshire fired home to cut Omonoia’s deficit in half. However, time was not on the side of the visitors and the rally fell short. AEL were able to hang on for the 2:1 win.
AEL remain in 5th spot, but gain some ground on the pack ahead. Omonoia remain in 6th, and it becomes a more distant 6th by the week.
