APOEL drop two valuable points away to Ethnikos

APOEL dropped two valuable points away to Ethnikos as they played to a goalless draw in a postponed fixture from matchday two.

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APOEL visited Dasaki Achnas to face Ethnikos in a postponed game from matchday two, with the visitors leaving behind two precious points in a goalless draw. The defending champions are on the brink as they dropped points for a second consecutive game after recording a tough loss against leaders Anorthosis this past Sunday. 

APOEL are stuck in fourth place with 28 points, while Ethnikos grabbed a valuable point to stay three points clear of the relegation zone. 

THE MATCH

In what was a balanced game in the early stages, Ethnikos scored in the fifth minute, however, Ibra Koneh’s goal was called back for offsides. APOEL’s first significant chance came in the 30th minute with Linus Hallenius, who dribbled to free himself, but saw his shot go just wide. APOEL improved as the match progressed, but failed to create any significant threats, while Ethnikos threatened when Vincent Laban released a rocket that went just over Vid Belec’s crossbar. 

APOEL started better in the second half, and two minutes after the restart, Dragan Mihajlovic found himself in a perfect spot, but his shot was too easy for Martin Bogatinov. In the 53rd minute, the visitors touched the goal as Lucas Souza’s header from close range was tipped to the left post by Bogatinov with the defense clearing the danger. Moments later, Marios Ilia almost scored as well, but his effort went just wide. 

The pace was much faster than the first half, and Bojan Markoski stopped Tomas De Vincenti before he was able to send the ball into Bogatinov’s nets in the 55th minute. Two minutes, later a pass from Antonio Jakolis found Giorgos Efraim, but he sent his effort into the stands. Keeping the pressure high, Jakolis, from around the penalty spot, did not find the target as the time worked in Ethnikos’ favor. Andrija Pavlovic missed another big chance in the 84th minute with Bogatinov coming up with an important save. That was the last chance of the game with Ethnikos picking up a surprising point against the defending champions. 

THE LINEUPS 

Ethnikos Achnas (Dean Klafuric): Martin Bogatinov (GK), Dimitris Kyprianou, Bojan Markoski (Sotiris Foiniris), Christopher Globard, Christoforos Christofi, Vincent Laban (C), Miguelito, Dimitris Charalampous (Ihor Khudobiak), Marios Ilia, Ibra Koneh (Illya Markovskyi), Jovan Kostovski 

APOEL Nicosia (Kare Ingebrigtsen): Vid Belec (GK), Dragan Mihajlovic, Praxitelis Vouros, Vujadin Savic, Nikolas Ioannou ©, Lucas Souza (Andrija Pavlovic), Uros Matic, Tomas De Vincenti, Antonio Jakolis (Stathis Aloneftis), Giorgos Efraim (Musa Al-Taamari), Linus Hallenius

HIGHLIGHTS

by Marios Antoniou

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