Both league leaders AEL and title holders APOEL emerged victorious in games yesterday and continued the two-horse race for the championship crown.
APOEL needed a late strike from Vinicius to take all three points at the Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium and calm the nerves as Giorgos Donis’ side struggled against an under-strength Anorthosis side.
Earlier yesterday, AEL goalkeeper Karim Fegrouche came to his side’s rescue on several occasions as Ivaylo Petev’s side stayed three points ahead of APOEL.
APOEL were expected to overwhelm their Famagusta hosts but struggled to take their chances while Urko Pardo was forced into action on several occasions particularly as Gaoussou Fofana threatened late in the first half.
Despite missing several key players, Anorthosis refused to lie down, forcing Donis to bring on Stathis Aloneftis – with the star winger still not full recovered after taking a knock last week.
The gamble almost paid off immediately as his shot struck the woodwork on 63 minutes.
Anorthosis’ resistance was finally broken in the 73rd minute when Vinicius found space and his shot took a deflection past Matthieu Valverde.
In Limassol, Omonia were the team enjoying the early possession and chances but it was the league leaders that got off the mark on six minutes as Portuguese winger Monteiro – who has been one of AEL’s top performers this season – was on hand to pluck home a neat move and cross from Bebe.
Omonia, and in particular Maltese attacker Andre Schembri, continued to ask questions of AEL’s Fegrouche but AEL once again struck at the other end after an awful error by French defender Sofriane Cherfa allowed Dutch forward Fouad Idabdelhay to break free and double his side’s advantage.
Omonia continued to miss the best chances after the restart with Onisiforos Roushias and Alipio both missing chances while AEL rode it out to take the crucial three points.
“We rode our luck at times today [yesterday],” admitted Petev after the game. “The three points are very important.”
In the other game at the Ammochostos Stadium, league title outsiders Apollon Limassol gained some revenge for their Cyprus Coca-Cola Cup semifinal exit at the hands of fourth place Ermis Aradippou last week by thrashing Nicos Panagiotou’s side 4-0.
Hugo Lopez opened the score for Christakis Christoforou’s side on four minutes following an Abraham Guie-Guie assist before the two combined again for the second goal in the 56th minute.
Gaston Sangoy grabbed his 17th goal of the season to make it 3-0 with a delicate lob before Lopez snatched a fourth and his hat-trick in added time.
At the other end of the table, Aris Limassol’s hopes of avoiding the drop were given a massive boost on Saturday after they bounced back with ten men to beat relegation rivals Doxa Katokopia 3-2.
The first division’s other relegation strugglers, Ethnikos Achnas, failed to capitalise in the other game after a late Ivan Curjuric strike meant they drew 1-1 at home to Nea Salamina.
But the biggest drama was in Limassol where Doxa – who recently replaced boss Sofocles Sofocleous with AEK Kouklion coach Demetris Ioannou – got off to the perfect start when Aris defender Douglas Reis sent Doxa forward Leandro tumbling in the area and referee Demetris Masias handed the vistors a penalty and Reis a red card. Leandro converted the spot kick on 20 minutes and Doxa’s almost grabbed a second when Pablo Suarez’s free-kick rattled the crossbar.
But it was Aris who struck against the run of play – Swedish playmaker Christer Youssef equalizing from close range. Eduardo Pincelli handed the lead to Aris on 63 mintues when he beat Michalis Morfis with a well-taken free-kick before Mihai Dina made sure of the three points late on.
In the other game, Ethnikos were left frustrated after being held to a 1-1 draw against a Nea Salamina with nothing to play for until the end of the season.
The hosts got first onto the score-sheet when Ernestas Setkus spilled Pedrag Lazic’s cross and Chidi Onyemah pounced from close range.
Ethnikos attempted to hold for the remainder of the game but were left stunned when Curjuric’s long range effort beat Bouna Coundou.
In the other game on Saturday, AEK Larnaca enjoyed a 1-0 victory over all-but relegated AEK Kouklion after a second half effort from Nestor Mytides.
Cyprus Weekly