Omonia deprived Nicosia neighbours APOEL of keeping the pressure on league leaders AEL after holding their rivals to a 0-0 draw at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia on Wednesday night.
Omonia, who recently installed former skipper Costas Kaiafas as coach, is currently fighting for a place in the Europa League next season while APOEL are looking to defend the league title trophy they won last season under former coach Ivan Jovanovic.
It was a tightly fought match with many opportunities for a goal for both teams, with APOEL keeper UrKo Pardo forced to make several dramatic saves. The game was interrupted several times as items were thrown on the pitch and fans lit flares.
APOEL’s best chance in the second half came in stoppage time but Cillian Sheridan was unable to score and keep APOEL in second place. It goes into the playoffs third after Apollon.
The Nicosia Greens this week called on their club’s supporters to once again put their hands into their pockets and help raise over €1million needed for Omonia to pass UEFA Financial Fair Play criteria at the end of the month.
Should Omonia fail to get the funds, then they will be stripped of European football next season should they qualify. The club also owes over €10m to the taxman and in unpaid salaries to former players and coaches.
Ermis Aradippou tightened their grip on European football for the first time in their history next season after beating sixth place Anorthosis Famagusta 0-1 whose winless streak stretched to seven games

Cyprus Weekly