Cyprus boss Christakis Christoforou has given a first ever calling to Ermis Aradippou goalkeeper Demetris Stylianou for the upcoming 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Greece and Bosnia.

Cyprus got their qualifying campaign off on the wrong foot after losing 3-0 at home to Belgium and will now be looking to make amends starting with the game in Piraeus against 2004 European Champions Greece.

Christoforou – who has yet to convince since replacing former boss Pambos Christodoulou as Cyprus coach – has called upon the services of Stylianou – a 32-year-old keeper who has spent most of his career hovering between the first and second division.

Stylianou has so far impressed this season playing for Nicos Panagiotou’s Ermis.

Christoforou has also recalled Apollon Limassol defender Marios Stylianou to the squad following his recent starts for the Limassol club.

Pieros Sotiriou – who scored the winner for APOEL against Olympiacos on Thursday – is also knocking on the door for a place in the starting eleven alongside Roda striker Nestor Mytides.

Cyprus play Greece on October 7 before then taking on Bosnia away three days later.

Cyprus squad:
AEK Larnaca: Antonis Georgallides, Vincent Laban, Elias Charalambous, Konstantinos Charalambides
AEL: Marios Nikolaou, Dossa Junior
APOEL: George Efrem, Georgios Merkis, Kostakis Artymatas, Nektarios Alexandrou, Pieros Sotiriou
Apollon Limassol: Marios Stylianou, Tasos Kissas, Chambos Kyriakou
Ermis Aradippou: Demetris Stylianou
Omonia: Demetris Christofi, Kostas Panagi
Larissa: Andreas Avraam
Panionios: Marios Antoniades
Juventus: Grigoris Kastanos
Roda: Nestor Mytides
Southend Utd: Jason Demetriou
Standard Liege: Kostas Laifis
Walsall: Antreas Makris

Cyprus Weekly