Anorthosis record key win over APOEL in title charge
 

CYPRIOT FIRST DIVISION - MATCHDAY 16

Anorthosis recorded an important 1:0 victory over rival title contenders, APOEL, in the weekend’s big derby in Cyprus.

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Guided by club legend, Timur Ketsbaia, Anorthosis are undergoing a great season thus far, leaving behind problematic performances from the last few years. APOEL, on the other hand, are chasing their eighth consecutive championship, but have been underperforming this campaign and have changed managers three times since the summer. New coach, Kare Ingebrigtsen, is still trying to improve the club’s performances within a few weeks and hopes that the December transfers will bring the much-needed help. 

The importance of the game did not produce impressive gameplay, but rather tough matchups and two teams that looked to avoid conceding any goals. Anorthosis, however, managed to score the game’s only goal with Theodoros Vasilakakis in the 63rd minute, while APOEL failed to create any threatening chances. 

Anorthosis are now four points clear of second-placed Omonoia, but still, have a game in hand - once again against APOEL. The Galazokitrini retreated to fourth place, nine points behind the league leaders, but with two games in hand. 

THE GAME 

In what was considered a game of massive importance for both sides, it failed to produce many scoring chances as the two teams focussed first on defense rather than attack. Anorthosis had most of the possession, however, APOEL defended well, but failed to threaten Giorgi Loria’s penalty area. The only significant moment of the first half was when Theodoros Vasilakakis replaced Ruben Rayos in the 39th minute due to an injury. 

The first real chance of the game came in the 54th minute when Nikolas Ioannou sent the ball to Andrija Pavlovic’s head, but his attempt went just wide of Loria’s right post. Anorthosis, though, found the back of the net nine minutes later. Nikolas Kaltsas’ header found Vasilakakis open in the heart of APOEL’s defense, and he pulled the trigger to beat Vid Belec, as the home fans erupted in celebration. 

After the goal, APOEL failed to produce a response, but Anorthosis defended their lead excellently and, towards the end of the game, looked likely to double their lead. In the 82nd minute, Kaltsas found himself in a perfect spot, but Belec’s denied his close effort. 

Nothing changed in the remaining time, and Anorthosis celebrated a key win in their charge for the league title.

LINEUPS

Anorthosis (Timur Ketsbaia): Giorgi Loria (GK), Georgios Gkalitsios, Branko Vrgoc, Yevgen Selin, Kostakis Artymatas, Gorgon Schidenfeld, Murtaz Daushvili, Nika Kacharava (Michal Duris), Ruben Rayos (Theodoros Vasilakakis), Tornike Okriashvili (Georgios Manthatis), Nikolas Kaltsas, 

APOEL (Kare Ingebrigtsen): Vid Belec (GK), Dragan Mihajlovic, Giorgos Merkis, Praxitelis Vouros, Nikolas Ioannou ©, Lucas Soouza, Alef Dos Santos, Tomas De Vincenti (Uros Matic), Musa Al-Taamari, Giorgos Efraim, Andrija Pavlovic (Linus Hallenius)

HIGHLIGHTS

By Marios Antoniou

Image Source: SportFM Cyprus

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