Omonia were the winners in the weekend’s top game in the Cyprus football championship against Anorthosis, but the big news of the weekend came from Larnaca where Ermis Aradippou registered a memorable win against championship hopefuls Apollon.

In the other games, Apoel and AEL enjoyed easy wins against AEZ Zakakiou and Nea Salamina respectively while Anagennisi Deryneia remained rooted to the bottom of the table following their home loss to another first division newcomer Karmiotissa.

Two other strugglers, Doxa Katokopias and Ethnikos Achnas, played out a goalless draw at the Makarion stadium.

Dark clouds have been gathering over Anorthosis for some time now but their defeat at Omonia may have been the final straw, with coach Antonio Puche expected to be shown the door while the position of technical director Alberto Benito is also under threat.

However everything could have been so different for the Famagusta team if they had been awarded a penalty in the opening minutes when Omonia defender Vyndra pulled down Anorthosis’ Cabrera as he was about to shoot but referee Sotiriou waved play on.

On the stroke of half-time Sotiriou, did point to the spot, when Omonia’s Matt Derbyshire was adjudged to have been brought down by keeper Koprivec. Replays show that the keeper did not touch the Englishman who went down too easily. Cilian Sheridan sent Koprivec the wrong way to give his team a half-time lead.

Clearly deflated, Anorthosis were unable to hit back and when Brazilian Clayton fired past Koprivec for Omonia’s second just before the hour mark the game was all but over.

Ermis top scorer Yaroslav Martynyouk scored the winner in the last minute to give his team the three points against Apollon.
This was Apollon’s third defeat of the season which leaves them nine points off the top with club president Kirzis under pressure to take action.

Apollon were the better side but were wasteful in attack and far too generous at the back where they gifted Ermis two of their three goals.
The first, a horrendous mis-kick by Brazilian defender Vinicius, sailed over keeper Vale to restore parity at 2-2, and the winner, a perfect example of how a team should never defend.

Alexiou had given Ermis the lead in their first attempt on goal with Papoulis heading the equaliser in the 33rd minute and five minutes before the break Abraham Guie giving Apollon the lead after racing onto a Sardiniero through pass.

Apoel recorded an easy 4-1 win against AEZ Zakakiou.
Bertolio and Pieros Sotiriou gave the defending champions a two-goal lead in the first 20 minutes with George Efraim getting the other two in the last 15 minutes.

The league’s top scorer, AEZ’s Pangalos, scored his team’s consolation goal right at the end, piercing Apoel’s backline for the first time this season.

AEL continued their impressive start to the league overcoming Nea Salamina 3-0.
Mikel Arruabarena, making his first start of the season grabbed a brace with Shellis getting the third.

A 69th-minute strike by Elias Vattis gave Karmiotissa all three points against struggling Anagennisis while Doxa Katokopias and Ethnikos Achnas could not find a way past goalkeepers Negri and Prock, and had to settle for a goaless draw.

Round seven will be completed tonight when AEK take on Aris in the first game to be played at the brand new AEK Arena.

AEK are favourites to win the game and extend their perfect start to the season to seven straight wins.

AEZ 1-4 Apoel
Omonia 2-0 Anorthosis
AEL 3-0 Nea Salamina
Anagennisi 0-1 Karmiotissa
Ermis 3-2 Apollon
Doxa 0-0 Ethnikos

(Click on each match above to see Highlights courtesy of the Cyprus Football Association)

Cyprus Mail

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