CYP 1st Div. Matchday 9 Recap: AEK & Omonia continue with wins
CYPRIOT FIRST DIVISION - MATCHDAY 9
| Date | Home Team | Score | Away Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24-Oct-17 | Ermis | 3 - 2 | Alki Oroklini |
| 24-Oct-17 | AEL Limassol | 3 - 0 | Olymp. Nicosia |
| 24-Oct-17 | Nea Salamis | 1 - 3 | Omonia |
| 24-Oct-17 | Anorthosis | 0 - 0 | Pafos |
| 24-Oct-17 | Aris | 2 - 1 | Ethnikos Achnas |
| 24-Oct-17 | APOEL | PP | Apollon |
| 24-Oct-17 | Doxa | 1 - 3 | AEK Larnakas |
Marios Antoniou from AGONAsport.com brings you a full recap of Matchday 9 in the Cypriot First Division. Full standings and schedule can be found here. Highlights for each match can be found here.
The action in the Cyprus League continued with the mid-week Matchday 9. While we were waiting to see the big derby between APOEL and Apollon, due to severe rain the pitch of GSP Stadium was in bad condition. The game officials decided that it will be safer to postpone the game, which will be rescheduled somewhere late January or in February next year. Therefore both teams found themselves with just 6 games played. The incident also created a big discussion as GSP is the home of APOEL and Omonoia, the National team and is the only Cypriot stadium suitable for European competition group stages games.
AEK Larnaca continued their winning streak with an away 3-1 over Doxa. The visitors opened the score with Taulemesse, but Doxa equalised with Asamoah before halftime. AEK grabbed the win with a goal from Catala and Taulemesse’s second of the night. Taulemesse reached nine goals in seven games being the top scorer, while AEK is leading the table with Anorthosis.
Omonoia managed for first time in the season to get two wins in a row against Nea Salamina. The home side shocked Omonoia with Poljanec’s goal in the 35th minute, but that woke up the visitors who equalized few minutes later with Margaca. The second half was an attacking monologue for Omonoia and two late goals from Derbyshire from the penalty spot and Rafa Lopes formed the final 1-3.
Anorthosis hosted Pafos in a game that before season started no one thought that would have such interested. With Anorthosis leading the table and Pafos in the 3rd place it was an unusual derby. Both teams had their chances with the hosts controlling the pace but the visitors threatening in the counterattack. In the second half Anorthosis looked to opened the score, but Rayos’ penalty kick hit the post in their biggest chance of the game. Pafos hold off the pressure and escaped with the valuable draw point.
Ermis and Alki fought hard for the win, in a five goal game. Alki opened the scoring with Vasilev, but goals from Emeghara and Tsoumou send Ermis with the lead into the half time. Tsoumou scored again early in the second half to give Ermis a 3-1 lead. Semedo formed the final 3-2 with the two teams now sit at the tenth and eleventth place respectively.
Aris hosted Ethnikos Achnas and got three very important points in the fight to avoid relegation. The visitors were the ones that opened the score early in the game with Papageorgiou. Youssef with two goals in the second half gave Aris the win moving them to 13th place while Ethnikos is now at the bottom of the table.
AEL got an easy home win against Olympiakos with 3-0. Mitrea twice and Arruabarrena with a penalty kick gave the hosts the three points, while the visitors were not able to match their opponents. AEL is in the 5th place and wants to get closer to leading teams.
