APOEL wrapped up their 21st Cypriot league title after beating defending champions and the fierce city rivals Omonia 2-0 on Sunday evening at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia in a match marred by Omonia goalkeeper Antonis Georgallides being hit by a flare.
Delighted APOEL coach Ivan Jovanovic told the post-match press conference: “It’s fair that APOEL won the league this season. In my opinion it was the most difficult season since I came to the club as we faced tricky times in October and November last year. When you are a favorite you need to be concentrated in every game you play,” he said.
“I want to thank the players for their dedication. We held our ground against the strongest opposition in the country and this is why we are the champions,” he added.
I also want to thank the administration of the club as they gave us a chance to put this team together and helped us all along the way to get where we are today,” Jovanovic concluded.
Constantinos Charalambides scored both goals for APOEL. He opened proceedings in the 41st minute and then made it 2-0 deep into first-half injury time.
Gustavo Manduca had a penalty saved by Georgallides, who was then forced off in the 42nd minute after being struck by a flare thrown from the stands. The game was stopped for 10 minutes for him to receive treatment and he was replaced by Dragoslav Jevric.
With the win, APOEL secured the league title with four games to spare as they are now 15 points ahead of Omonia who are second.
“We went into the game scared and allowed our opponents to create better chances,” said a clearly disappointed Omonia coach Dusan Bajevic.
“The game was nothing special overall. Many mistakes on both sides and we could have avoided both of the goals we conceded,” he added.
“If we had managed to pull a goal back in the beginning of the second half we would have had a chance.
“We now have to focus on the national cup as we still have a chance of capturing the trophy,” he added.”
Elsewhere, in Group 1 of the playoffs, Anorthosis beat AEK 2-0, while in Group 2 Miljan Mrdakovic scored four goals to propel Apollon to a 5-1 victory over Olympiakos.
AEL topped Enosis Neon Paralimni 3-2 away from home.
In Group 3, Ermis Aradippou and AEP Paphos recorded away victories against Ethnikos Achnas and Alki Larnaca respectively. Ermis beat Ethnikos with a single goal, while AEP claimed a 3-1 win over Alki.
