Omonoia bolster title hopes with win over Anorthosis
 

CYPRIOT 1st DIVISION - MATCHDAY 17

Omonoia recorded a key 1-0 win over Anorthosis in Sunday’s derby. 

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It was a game Omonoia had to have, and they got what they needed with a 1-0 win at home to Anorthosis at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia. An own goal by Michal Duris early in the second half was the only goal of the match. 

It may not have been pretty, but it was a vital win for Omonoia, who remain in second place, but inch to within just one point of Anorthosis, clinging for dear life to their league lead.

THE MATCH

Omonoia were ready to go early on and created some pressure, Michael Ortega was clipped in the box by Murtaz Daushvili, but he didn’t get the call and play went on. Jordi Gomez had a go, but missed the net wide. Charis Mavrias took a free kick from a bad angle, and with ease, Giorgi Loria made the save. 

Omonoia have been ravaged by injuries in goal, fourth-string keeper Charalambos Kyriakidis got the start in this one, making his Omonoia and Cyprus First Division debut, and he was first tested by Giorgos Manthatis, and he passed the test, making the save. Then the 21 year old turned aside a header from Giannis Galitsios. At the other end, Mavrias played in a nice cross for Matt Derbyshire, but the Englishman couldn’t get his head on it. They did set up a chance for Thiago, but Loria did well to deny him in tight. The match remained scoreless at halftime.

Omonoia got the break they were looking for in the 49th minute. Ortega laid it off for Gomez, forcing a great save by Loria, but also earning Omonoia a corner. It wasn’t a particularly well-taken corner by Gomez, and it looked like Michal Duris would simply head it wide for another corner, but instead it ended up past Loria and into the net. Omonoia would certainly take it, and they had the lead.

Omonoia were looking for more, and Mavrias fed Derbyshire, who volleyed one that only barely sailed over the crossbar. Then the offside flag denied Andronikos Kakkoulis a chance to go in on Loria unimpeded.

Anorthosis knew they were trailing in the match, and they knew they were facing an inexperienced keeper. Galitsios found Nika Kacharava in space in the box, and Kyriakidis sprawled out to make a highlight-reel save. Loria made an equally nice save at the other end to thwart Derbyshire, but Omonoia were able to run out the clock and win it 1-0 at home to Anorthosis.

LINEUPS

Omonoia(Henning Berg): 98. Charalambos Kyriakidis(GK), 6. Michael Luftner, 8. Vitor Gomes, 15. Tomas Hubocan, 16. Jordi Gomez, 17. Jan Lecjaks, 20. Michael Ortega(‘64 80. Andronikos Kakkoulis), 22. Adam Lang, 27. Matt Derbyshire(Captain)(‘90 31. Ioannis Kousoulos), 35. Charis Mavrias, 70. Thiago

Anorthosis(Timur Ketsbaia): 1. Giorgi Loria(GK), 3. Giorgos Galitsios, 4. Kostakis Artymatas, 5. Gordon Schildenfeld, 8. Murtaz Daushvili, 10. Ruben Rayos(Captain), 18. Michal Duris(‘59 9. Nika Kacharava), 20. Nikos Kaltsas(‘59 16. Theodoros Vasilakakis), 22. Branko Vrgoc, 24. Giorgos Manthatis(‘86 19. Berat Sadik), 33. Yevhen Selin

HIGHLIGHTS

Image Source: SportFM Cyprus

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