Anorthosis and AEK continue with wins

CYPRIOT FIRST DIVISION - MATCHDAY 20

Leaders Anorthosis returned to winning ways with a 3:2 home win over Nea Salamina in the Famagusta derby. AEK Larnaca recorded their second win in a row as they prevailed 1:0 away over Doxa Katokopias. 

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At the Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium in Larnaka, the pride of Famagusta clashed in a game between two Famagusta side. Just seven minutes into the game, and it was Anorthosis who drew first blood. Nikolas Kaltsas sent the free-kick from the left, Yevgen Selin beat everyone in the air and headed it home. Two minutes later, it was all even again when Kingsley Onuegbu received the ball in the heart of Anorthosis’ defense and under pressure, turned and beat Giorgi Loria. 

Anorthosis pushed in attack to regain the lead, and they managed to do so in the 21st minute. It was another set-piece by Kaltsas, and this time it was Giorgos Gkalitsios who delivered the header to beat Tasos Kissas. The home side laid siege to Salamina’s penalty area, keeping Kissas and his defense on constant alert. Salamina kept up the pressure, and in the 44th minute, they leveled the game once again. Anderson Correia sent the ball from the left, and with a beautiful header, Kingsley left Loria without a chance.

The second half saw Anorthosis once again on the front foot. Salamina, though, continued defending well and limited the threats to their goal. Finally, in the 81st minute, a long ball from Dimitris Christofi found Michal Duris, who headed it past Kissas to give Anorthosis the lead for the third time in the game. Salamina pushed on for another equalizer, however, Loria came up big to hold the scoreline and the win for Anorthosis. 

With Omonoia’s draw against AEL Limassol, Anorthosis are now four points clear of second-place while Salamina retreated to eighth alongside Pafos FC, three points shy of the first playoff group. 

AEK managed to draw first blood in the 54th minute with their captain Ivan Trickovski, who dribbled his way past Doxa’s defenders and beat Thierry Graca. Despite the goal, the game never picked up a fast pace, with AEK holding with ease their lead, but failing to create opportunities for more goals. In the 88th minute, though, Jose Valente was brought down by Facundo Garcia, and a penalty was awarded for Doxa. However, Carlos Tavares did not convert the spot-kick sending the ball over Tono Ramirez’s crossbar.  

AEK held on and are now fifth, just a point behind Apollon Limassol. Doxa remain at the bottom of the table, eight points away from safety with their hopes of avoiding the drop slowly fading. 

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