Stalemate in controversial Nicosia Derby
CYPRIOT 1st DIVISION - MATCHDAY 11
Omonoia and APOEL played to a controversial 0-0 draw in the Nicosia Derby on Monday in the Cypriot First Division.
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Unsurprisingly, the match wasn’t short on controversy, with Tomas De Vincenti notably missing a last-minute penalty for APOEL. As a result of this draw, Omonoia remain in second place of the First Division, while fellow Nicosia side APOEL occupy third position of the table.
THE MATCH
In the early stages, Vujadin Savic demanded a penalty when he fell down inside the area for APOEL, before Eric Bautheac’s header at the other end was expertly fielded by Vid Belec.
Once again, APOEL sought a penalty when Musa Al-Taamari was clipped by Jan Lecjaks, but the referee ignored their pleas.
Late in the first half, Giorgos Efraim had an opening, but he took too long with his attempt and Fabiano was in perfect position to make the save. Moments later, though, Fabiano pulled off a superb stop to deny Al-Taamari at point blank range.
Seconds into the second half, Charis Mavrias crossed in for Matt Derbyshire, he hit the post, but the ball stayed in play and caromed straight to Thiago, but Thiago couldn’t keep it down, and he skied it over the net from close range. Thiago tried to make up for it by setting up Bautheac for a chance, but he whiffed on the shot, and it was an easy save for Belec.
These chances seemed to awaken APOEL. Al-Taamari set up a header for Efraim, but it was directed right at Fabiano.
Cue the aforementioned controversy.
Al-Taamari did well to dribble through the Omonoia defence, Adam Lang made minimal contact, and the Jordanian sold it for all it was worth. Inexplicably, referee Timotheos Christofi awarded a penalty.
As this was an Omonoia home game, the fans inside the GSP Stadium were not happy, and they began throwing things at the officiating crew. Christofi and the rest of the officials vacated the pitch, but the Omonoia staff in the stands did well to calm the crowd at least enough to resume play.
When play resumed, the call still stood, and De Vincenti stepped up to take the penalty. Fabiano dove the wrong way as De Vincenti tried a Panenka-style spot-kick, but the ball sailed over the net. The GSP erupted as the Omonoia fans felt justice was done.
LINEUPS
Omonoia(Henning Berg): 40. Fabiano(GK), 35. Charis Mavrias, 22. Adam Lang, 6. Michael Luftner, 15. Tomas Hubocan, 17. Jan Lecjaks, 16. Jordi Gomez, 8. Vitor Gomes, 11. Eric Bautheac(‘75 80. Andronikos Kakkoulis), 70. Thiago, 27. Matt Derbyshire(Captain)
APOEL(Thomas Doll): 27. Vid Belec(GK), 7. Giorgos Efraim(‘59 89. Roman Bezjak), 8. Lucas Souza, 11. Musa Al-Taamari, 20. Andrija Pavlovic(‘82 10. Tomas De Vincenti), 23. Joaozinho(‘67 17. Antonio Jakolis), 29. Praxitelis Vouros, 30. Giorgos Merkis(Captain), 90. Vujadin Savic, 91. Dragan Mihajlovic
HIGHLIGHTS
