Omonia’s hopes of making a late surge for the league title all but evaporated on Sunday night after they slipped to a 4-2 defeat to AEK Larnaca.
John Carver’s men have suffered from defensive lapses all season and were once again made to pay as clinical AEK hit them with four goals to keep their own title challenge well intact.
Imanol Idiakez have emerged from a tough last two weeks relatively unscathed after picking up at draws against title challengers APOEL and AEL, prior to the win against Omonia.
Anders Murillo and Acoran had put Omonia into a two-goal halftime lead before Ivan Trickovski from the penalty spot just after the restart.
Demetris Christofi scored from close range to briefly revive hopes of a comeback before French forward Floran Taulemesse put the contest beyond doubt with a fourth.
Dutch midfielder Nicandro Breeveld scored a late consolation goal for Omonia in stoppage time.
Apollon Limassol, meanwhile, moved up to second in the league for the first time this season after a routine 3-0 win over Karmiotissa.
Arkadiusz Piech came in for suspended Anton Maglica and the Polish striker scored twice before a belter from Alex da Silva wrapped up the three points for Sofronis Avgoustis’ side.
Anorthosis Famagusta all but made sure of a top six finish as they came from behind to beat Ethnikos Achnas 4-2 with new signing Andre Alves scoring a hat-trick.
Goals from Emilio Zelaya and an own goal from Guilherme Santos had put Ethnikos into a 2-1 lead but Anorthosis turned things around with 20 minutes left as Alves completed his hat-trick and Joao Victor added another for Ronny Levy’s side.
Doxa Katokopia gave their survival hopes a big boost on Saturday after springing a surprise 3-1 win at Nea Salamina.
Despite the impressive victory by Savvas Poursaitides’ side at the Ammochostos Stadium in Larnaca, the Katokopia club were unable to cut down the difference on Aris Limassol who had earlier thrashed bottom club Anagennises 4-0.
Doxa had stormed into an early lead when Braulio Nobrega beat Neophytos Michael before Albert Serran added the second on 25 minutes with a header. Nea Salamina upped the pressure after the break but were punished with a third goal when Nobrega broke free to beat Michael once again.
Davide Grassi scored a late consolation goal for Salamina whose hopes of a top six finish were hampered by the defeat.
Ermis Aradippou are also in the hunt for a top six finish and picked up three points away to AEZ in Paphos. Edward Mashinya – who has become Ermis’ first choice striker since the exit of Dominic da Silva – repaid the faith of manager Carlos Corberan by hitting a hat-trick while Elliot Grandin added a late fourth.
Aris Limassol kept their hopes of first division football next season alive with a 4-0 win of their own against bottom of the league Anagennises.
Goals from Vasilis Skourtis, Rogerio Martins and a late brace from Silvio Gonzalez saw saw the Limassol club pick up an easy victory at the Tsirio Stadium.
Cyprus Weekly
