Another big day for the young Cypriots from the UK this time it was the KOPA under 19’s versus AEL under 19’s last night Wednesday in Limassol and the first game for the KOPA team under floodlights.

AEL who started the game well  are coached by Dionysius Dionysiou who was the assistant manager of  last years AEL championship winning team.

KOPA’s Chris Elia had a good shot saved after some good build up work with Chris Antoniou then a fine free kick from Marino Hajisavva ended up landing with  Phanos Chambi who chested just wide.

AEL broke through minutes later and a fine save by KOPA keeper Mario kept them at bay.

In the 25th minute George Pascoulis put a through ball to Kyri which the  AEL keeper Georgiou pulled off an outstanding save.

AEL broke the deadlock in the 30th minute with their first goal a long distance shot coming from Christoforos Efthymiou. Minutes later Kyri just went wide after a free kick was fired into the area from Marino HajiSavva.

The KOPA team came back into the game when Ricky Sarno put through a neat ball into the area for Aris Savva to pounce on to score.

We did not have to wait long for the goal of the match after George Pascoulis got pulled down  as a result Adam Andreou pulled off a smashing 35 yard free kick straight into the back of the net giving the visitors a 2-1 lead.

The AEL team did not waste time in equalising when Andreas Christou scored from a free kick.

AEL squad: Angelos Ioannou, Andreas Andreou, George Pourgouris, Constantinos Alexandrou, Vasilis Spyrides, Christoforos Efthymiou, Davids Neophytou,Andreas Christou, Soteris Christofi, Petros Christofi,Antonis Aeroporos. Manager Dionysius Dionysiou.

KOPA squad: KOPA Squad: Nicholas Kyriacou, Chris Antoniou, Anas Manoli, Matthew Agapiou, Phanos Chambi, Jack Christodolou, Andreas Komidikis, Luke Prokipiou, George Pascoulis, Stephan Stephanides, Stavros Demetri – Brown, Marino Hadijsavva, Kyriakos Tiritanou, Chris Elia, Kyriaco Georgiou, Mario Aristides, Aris Savva, Adam Andreou, Amerigo Sarno,andAlex Anderson. Manager Tom Loizou. Coaches: Dave Cumberbatch, JohnFitsiou, Peter Theori and Nick Christofi.

After the match AEL held a welcoming dinner for the KOPA players and management at a local Limassol restaurant.

 

This initiative between Cyprus and the Cypriot Community in the UK will be ongoing if there are any football players of Cypriot origin between the ages of fifteen and eighteen who like to attend the next trial please contact the

General Secretary of the Cypriot Football League UK (KOPA) Michael Yiakoumi Tel: 07958 207412 or email: [email protected].

 

 

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