Cypriot champions APOEL got the defence of their title off to a flying start on Sunday night with a clinical 2-0 victory away to AEK Larnaca.
Giorgos Donis’ side, who secured group stage football in the Champions League for the third time in their history, had withstand pressure from the Larnaca hosts at the GSZ Stadium but took advantage of some questionable defending to get their domestic campaign off to a winning start.
In other game on Sunday, former APOEL playmaker Ricardo Fernandes scored a dramatic late equaliser for Doxa Katokopia in their 2-2 draw at newcomers Ayia Napa in Paralimni.
AEK began the brighter side and almost went ahead when Roberto Colautti saw his shot from close range blocked by Tasos Papazoglou before the lively Demetris Kyprianou forced Urko Pardo tip over his powerful drive from distance. Israeli striker Colautti then turned Elias Charalambous’ cross just wide.
APOEL had to wait until the 40th minute to create their first real opening – Tomas de Vincenti bending his effort just wide of Alexander Negri’s post. Negri was then on hand to deny both Vinicius and Cillian Sheridan.
Manduca had given APOEL the lead on 58 minutes with his first touch of the ball, moments after coming on following a dreadful mix-up in the AEK defence that allowed the Brazilian veteran to break free and score. The same player added the gloss on APOEL’s victory in stoppage time after springing the offside trap to score his side’s second goal.
“We are happy to start off the season with a victory but the most important thing is to finish off the season happy,” said Donis after the game.
His counterpart, Thomas Christiansen, who saw his side stun Apollon Limassol 5-2 away on the opening day of the season said his team only had themselves to blame for the loss.
“APOEL took full advantage of our mistakes. After we fell behind, we created some chances to equalise but when you commit bodies forward you are always in danger of being punished at the back. And that is what happened.”
At the Tasos Markou Stadium in Paralimni, Ayia Napa skipper Giorgos Kolokoudias – who recently received his first Cyprus call-up – had given his side the lead with a strike from outside the area following a short free-kick. Doxa equalised soon afterwards with a trademark free-kick from the 36-year-old Fernandes.
Ayia Napa thought they had won the game when Canadian forward Daniel Haber – on loan from Apollon Limassol – wriggled free from his marker and beat Luiz Fernando with a low drive but Fernandes had the last word as he beat goalkeeper Tasos Athanasiou with another exquisite free-kick in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

On Saturday New Salamis beat Othello 1-0 with a 27th minute headed goal from Ender Monteiro to give New Salamis their first win of the season.