Nothing to choose between Anorthosis and Omonoia
CYPRIOT 1st DIVISION - MATCHDAY 6
In a much-anticipated showdown between Cyprus’s top two teams in the standings, Anorthosis and Omonoia played to a goalless draw.
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Anorthosis carried the play as expected for the home side, but both sides had ample opportunities to find a winner. However, neither side found the back of the net, and Anorthosis and Omonoia remain tied at the top of the Cypriot First Division table with 11 points each. Anorthosis remain in first due to goal differential.
THE MATCH
Both of Omonoia’s top two goalkeepers, Francis Uzoho and Konstantinos Panagi, managed to get injured during the international break representing Nigeria and Cyprus respectively, so the capital club had signed 31-year-old Brazilian free agent Fabiano who most recently played for Porto.
Fabiano was called into action within 60 seconds, as he did well to catch a free kick from Ruben Rayos. At the other end, Hen Ezra fired a shot on goal that was stopped by Giorgi Loria, and Matt Derbyshire subsequently sent an ambitious bicycle kick wide.
A long sequence of Anorthosis pressure produced a corner for them, but Gordon Schildenfeld’s powerful header was parried aside by Fabiano. Eric Bautheac was then denied by Loria for Omonoia.
In the second half, Giorgos Manthatis burned past his fellow countryman Charis Mavrias and crossed in for Nikos Kaltsas, but the ensuing attempt sailed over the crossbar.
During stoppage time, Kostakis Artymatas played a through ball for Nika Kacharava, but his shot lacked power and it was a routine save for Fabiano. In the final play of the match, it was Omonoia who had the chance to win from a corner as Michael Luftner’s header was brilliantly saved by Loria at full stretch.
LINEUPS
Anorthosis(Timur Ketsbaia): 1. Giorgi Loria(GK), 3. Giorgos Galitsios, 4. Kostakis Artymatas, 5. Gordon Schildenfeld, 10. Ruben Rayos(Captain), 19. Berat Sadik(‘57 18. Michal Duris), 20. Nikos Kaltsas(‘73 2. Erwin Koffi), 22. Branko Vrgoc, 24. Giorgos Manthatis(‘86 9. Nika Kacharava), 28. Renato Margaca, 33. Yevhen Selin
Omonoia(Henning Berg): 40. Fabiano(GK), 6. Michael Luftner, 11. Eric Bautheac(‘82 21. Marinos Tzionis), 16. Jordi Gomez, 17. Jan Lecjaks, 18. Hen Ezra(‘82 15. Tomas Hubocan), 22. Adam Lang, 27. Matt Derbyshire(Captain)(‘92 77. Dimitris Christofi), 35. Charis Mavrias, 49. Fanos Katelaris, 70. Thiago
HIGHLIGHTS
