APOEL escape with a win over Salamina
APOEL escape with a win over Salamina
CYPRIOT 1st DIVISION - MATCHDAY 1
APOEL defeated Nea Salamina on the road 3:2 and doubled their wins in the league. The game was one of the three that were postponed from Matchday 1. The defending champions were guided by Giorgos Kostis who took over after Bruno Baltazar was shown the exit door on Monday.
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The visitors went into the game strong and found the goal early on. In the 2nd minute, Musa Al-Taamari dribbled into Salamina’s penalty area, Giorgos Efraim’s shot was saved, but Reza Ghoochannejhad got the rebound and scored his first goal in the league with the blue and yellow.
Salamina looked to respond and in the 20th minute, a mistake by Reza gave the chance to Charles Eloundou to go on the counterattack, but his shot was easily stopped by Boy Waterman. Soon after, Kingsley Onuegbu and Renato Margaca had two efforts for the home side, but without causing any headaches to Waterman. In the 31st minute, Salamina’s impressive passing game outplayed APOEL and they came close to the equalizer. Anderson Correia sent the ball from the left side into the heart of APOEL’s defence, Kingsley headed pass found Thiago Santos who forced Waterman to fly and prevent the goal.
While it looked as if APOEL were going into halftime with a one goal lead, Al-Taamari rushed with incredible speed into Salamina’s penalty area and was brought down by Federico Dominguez. Skipper Nuno Morais was successful from the spot against Robert Veselovsky and doubled his team’s lead in stoppage time.
Salamina went into the second half with clear intentions to score and get back into the game. In the 54th minute, Kingsley was found in the heart of APOEL’s defense but his header went just wide of Waterman’s post. The hosts continued pressing for the goal and it came from a counterattack. In the 79th minute, Thiago stole the ball from Lucas Souza and he immediately sent Noor on the counter and successfully found Eloundou, who managed to beat Waterman and put his team back in the game.
The goal sparked APOEL and three minutes later, Al-Taamari sent a warning shot that Veselovsky sent for a corner. Ghayas Zahid took the corner kick, Veselovsky missed the ball and Souza got redemption for his mistake scoring with the chest.
Salamina however did not throw the white towel and continued on the attack. A shot from Eloundou in the 87th minute went just wide, as did a free kick from Thiago in stoppage time. Just before the final whistle was blown, Kingsley headed in Eloundou’s assist into Waterman’s net to form the 3:2 scoreline, but the late goal was not enough.
Salamina tasted their first defeat in the campaign, however they continued with another promising performance, sitting with 6 points in the first 3 weeks. APOEL continue to struggle to find their form, however the experience and the talent of certain players were able to push the team to the win for yet another game.
by Marios Antoniou
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