APOEL defeat Salamina, Big comeback for Paralimni over AEK
CYPRIOT FIRST DIVISION - MATCHDAY 18
| Date | Home Team | Score | Away Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Feb-20 | APOEL | 2 - 1 | Nea Salamina |
| 3-Feb-20 | Paralimni | 2 - 1 | AEK Larnaca |
APOEL Nicosia managed to overcome Nea Salamina’s obstacle with a 2:1 win to move closer to the top of the table, with an upcoming midweek clash against leaders Anorthosis. In the final game of the matchday, Enosis Neon Paralimniou came from behind to record a big home win over AEK Larnaca with the same scoreline.
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At the GSP Stadium, APOEL wanted all three points against a tough opponent to stay close to the two top spots in the standings. The hosts held the ball possession, however, with good defending, Salamina did not allow APOEL to pose a threat towards Tassos Kissas’ posts. APOEL saw Giorgos Efraim exiting the game with an injury in the 29th minute, in the most noteworthy incident of a goalless first half.
Six minutes into the second half, APOEL managed to find the back of the net. Antonio Jakolis sent the ball from the right, Tomas De Vincenti took the header, the ball found Benjamin Lambot, and it went into Kissas’ net for an own goal. The goal helped the home side improve, and they increased their pressure on Salamina’s penalty area in hopes of doubling their lead.
In the 64th minute, Salamina’s Theodosis Siathas had an effort on goal with a strong shot, however, Vid Belec answered with a big save. Three minutes later, though, Siathas managed to find the back of the net after picking up a misjudged pass by Dragan Mihajlovic, and he made no mistake to level the game.
After the equalizer, APOEL put their foot on the gas to regain the lead as new arrival, Christos Wheeler, tested an effort that went just wide of Kissas’ left post. In the 79th minute, though, Mike Jensen sent a well-balanced ball into the heart of Salamina’s defense, and Lucas Souza’s strong header put APOEL back in the leader’s seat.
APOEL are now in third place, five, and four points behind Anorthosis and Omonoia, respectively. Salamina remain in seventh, a point shy of sixth-placed AEK.
At the Tasos Markou Stadium, Paralimni were thirsty for points as they hosted AEK in an important matchup. The visitors started strong looking for the early opener, and in the 18th minute, Hector Hevel gave a great assist to Jose Naranjo, who beat Boris Kleyman in his debut with AEK.
After the goal, the pace went down substantially as AEK sat on their lead and controlled the game. Paralimni, however, found a way to strike back. In the 37th minute, a ball that seemed harmless from the left from Lorenzo Riera found Nicolas Varela, who sprinted from behind to rocket a shot into Tono Rodriguez’s goal. AEK almost answered back four minutes later, but Kleyman took off to send Naranjo’s close header over his crossbar, and the teams went into the break tied 1:1.
Paralimni were the team that looked to have better control of the game from the beginning of the second half, while AEK were unable to create any important threats. In the 82nd minute, the home side touched the goal with Hovhannes Hambardzumyan, who saw his shot denied by Tono’s right post.
Right at the 90th minute, Paralimni managed to get what they deserved. Berat Sadik, in his first game with Paralimni, provided a perfect assist to Varela, who moved in the heart of AEK’s defense to head the ball into the net and complete a great comeback.
With the three points, Paralimni finally moved out of the danger zone, sitting a point clear of Ethnikos Achnas. AEK remained sixth, however, Salamina are just a point behind.
