Omonoia rally past Doxa, AEK Larnaca cruise against Alki

CYPRIOT FIRST DIVISION - MATCHDAY 9

Omonoia registered a come from behind 2:1 win away to Doxa Katokopias, while AEK Larnaca defeated Alki Oroklini with ease by a 3:0 margin.

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Doxa Katokopias hosted Omonoia at the Makario Stadio in Nicosia, which Omonoia called home from 1978-1999. Gameplay was relatively even in the first half, the Doxa goalkeeper Armin Gremsl did well to stop an effort from Jarchinio Antonia from a bad angle and not let out a rebound. Joel Pereira played in a cross that failed to connect and instead found Omonoia keeper Tomas Mejias. The breakthrough came just before the half, as Nils Zatl played a ball that somehow caught the Omonoia defense flat-footed that connected with Luis Carlos who with a quick release beat an onrushing Mejias to give Doxa a 1:0 lead in the 43rd minute, which they took with them into halftime.

Omonoia repaid the favor in short order as the second half started. Alex Soares played a very similar ball that like the one played by Zatl was way more effective than it should have been, beating the entire Doxa defense, and David Ramirez was there with the finish, also needing a quick release to beat Gremsl, and it was 1:1 in the 50th minute. Then came a beautiful goal that put Omonoia ahead for good. Isma Lopez played a ball that in one touch, Ramirez back heeled to Soares, who then spun around Nelsinho and fired a strike into the top corner before Gremsl knew what hit him. The 63rd minute goal made it 2:1 for Omonoia, and they never looked back. Bogdan Mitrea had a free kick that Mejias saw all the way, and a weak shot by Luis Carlos was also saved with ease in stoppage time. Omonoia took the 2:1 away win over Doxa Katokopias. Omonoia improves to 7th place, knocking Doxa down to 8th. Omonoia have won both of their first two matches under Giannis Anastasiou.

Meanwhile in Larnaca, it was Alki Oroklini hosting AEK Larnaca. El Hedi Belameiri had a shot on goal, but Tono Ramirez was there to make the save. Tete set up Jorge Larena for a chance, but Urko Pardo got down to make that save. Larena and Belameiri traded more chances but once again, Ramirez and Pardo had the answers, and the first half ended with no score.

Pardo however then cost his side dearly with an ill-advised turnover that Florian Taulemesse latched onto. Sofyane Cherfa got back to block the first shot as Pardo raced back into his net, but the ball came right back to Taulemesse who found Ivan Trickovski going to the net, and Trickovski opened the scoring in the 50th minute. AEK doubled their advantage as a cross came in that was headed home by David Catala in the 61st minute. The final blow would come from Taulemesse, who did well to stay onside and then chip Pardo for an artsy 83rd minute goal. AEK rained fire on Alki in the second half and won it comfortably, 3:0. AEK improve to 4th place and are 6 points back of leaders AEL Limassol with two games in hand. Alki have fallen to last place.

by Andreas Mantzas

Image Source: SportFM Cyprus

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