APOEL claim derby win over Omonia
APOEL claim derby win over Omonia
CYPRIOT FIRST DIVISION - MATCHDAY 12
APOEL were the big winners of the Cypriot El Clasico prevailing 1-3 over rivals Omonia at the GSP Stadium on Friday. The Nicosia derby opened up Matchday 12 for the Cypriot League as APOEL have an upcoming Champions League clash with Real Madrid on Tuesday in Nicosia.
In a well-balanced first half, were neither side threatened the other, the teams went into the break goalless. Omonia, who picked up the pace at the end of the first half, went into the second half with more energy and began to put pressure on APOEL’s half of the field.
The first real chance of the match fell to Omonia’s Derbyshire, however his effort was denied by Nauzet Perez. The wasted chance proved costly as APOEL opened the scoring in the 66th minute against the run of play and despite Omonia’s dominance in the second half. Ghayas Zahid was the man who added his name to the score sheet while registering APOEL’s first shot on target in the game.
Just minutes later it was Perez who once again denied Derbyshire and Omonia the equalizer. Omonia’s inability to find the back of the net allowed Zahid to strike once again and give the Galazokitrini a comfortable two goal lead in the 77th minute.
An own goal from Vouros three minutes later put Omonoia back into the game, however APOEL put the match to bed thanks to Efraim’s stoppage time goal, sealing the defending champions a morale boosting 1-3 victory over their rivals.
APOEL’s ability to convert their chances into goals while Perez’s great goalkeeping proved decisive in Friday’s derby clash which temporarily moves APOEL into 4th spot in the league standings. Omonia sit just a point behind in seventh.
APOEL will now turn their focus to an inviting Champions League clash against Spanish giants Real Madrid at the GSP stadium on Tuesday.
HIGHLIGHTS: OMONIA - APOEL
By Marios Antoniou
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