Omonoia held by Olympiakos Nicosia, stalemate in Paphos
CYPRIOT 1st DIVISION - MATCHDAY 7
| Date | Home Team | Score | Away Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-Oct-19 | Omonia | 1 - 1 | Ol. Nicosia |
| 26-Oct-19 | Pafos | 1 - 1 | Achnas |
Omonoia were held up by inner-city rivals Olympiakos Nicosia, while Pafos FC and Ethnikos Achnas also played to a 1-1 draw.
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Omonoia hosted Olympiakos Nicosia at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia. Omonoia had a free kick early, Jordi Gomez served it up for Matt Derbyshire, but the latter failed to connect. Omonoia continued to carry the play, and Fanos Katelaris had the first shot on goal, but Mario Kirev made the save and did well to not let out a rebound.
Just two minutes into the second half, Omonoia tried a different tactic on another free kick. Gomez faked the free kick and Thiago struck it instead. Sure enough, Kirev’s timing was thrown off and Omonoia finally broke through. Surprisingly, against the run of play Olympiakos struck back. Dylan Duventru hustled down the wing and found Panayiotis Zachariou, who got away from Charis Mavrias and fired one past Fabiano.
Omonoia continued to dominate possession, but they were having trouble creating clear opportunities. The best chance to steal a winner actually fell to Zachariou, but Fabiano tipped the shot aside for a corner and the match ended 1-1. Omonoia temporarily actually move into first place, pending what Anorthosis do on Sunday. Olympiakos remain in 10th place, but the point nonetheless helps them in their quest to remain in the First Division.
STALEMATE IN PAPHOS
Pafos FC hosted Ethnikos Achnas at the Stelios Kyriakidis Stadium in Paphos. The home side sent in a cross that Martin Bogatinov decided to punch, but it wasn’t a very good decision as the ball came to Va. However, Dimitris Kyprianou raced back and prevented Va from getting the shot on goal. Later, Va went wide and played in a cross for Federico Rasic, but Bogatinov came up huge with a timely save. The home side carried the play throughout the first half, but the score remained 0-0.
Things opened up a little more in the second half. Ibrahim Koneh made things happen with some creative dribbling, and he drew a penalty as Kevin Lafrance subsequently fouled him in the box. Ihor Khudobyak stepped up to take it, and he sent his fellow Ukrainian Artur Rudko the wrong way to give Ethnikos the lead in the 55th minute.
Ethnikos came looking for more as Khudobyak sent Jovan Kostovski in on goal, but Rudko managed to keep him at bay. At the other end, Giorgos Valerianos forced Bogatinov into a save which he made a meal of. That inspired the home side to start shooting more from all possible angles. Lafrance tested him from long distance, and once again Bogatinov seemed shaky in stopping it.
Finally, in the 81st minute, the equalizer arrived when Rasic headed Adam Nemec’s cross into the net. Valerianos was sent off for Paphos in the closing stages, but despite incessant pressure from Ethnikos, the home side held on to a point.
Ethnikos fall to fourth place but just one point shy of leaders Omonoia. Pafos meanwhile improve to 8th place.
