THE ruling champions APOEL Nicosia, Anorthosis Ammochostos and Apollon Limassol all recorded victories away from home in Round 15 over the weekend as the national football league restarts after the winter break.
At the Pafiako Stadium Chrysis Michael’s 70th minute strike was more than enough to propel the league leaders APOEL FC to a narrow 1-0 win over AEP Paphos, providing the ruling champions with their tenth victory of the season.
“We showed that we have a great team with the mentality of the champions,” commented APOEL FC’s coach Ivan Jovanovic after the game.
“We played with patience and determination. All of our players deserve to be congratulated as we had eight good goal attempts and hit the post on two occasions, and all that with numerous important absentees due to injuries. However, we learned how to play without the absent players as any other big club that competed in the UEFA Champions League,” added Jovanovic.
Anorthosis Ammochostos earned a convincing 3-0 win over Aris Limassol at the Tsirion Stadium with Ioannis Okkas opening the proceedings with a 12th minute penalty. Christos Marangos made it 2-0 four minutes before the half time, while the French midfielder Vincent Laban set up the final score after converting another penalty early in the second half.
“We knew exactly how to prepare the team for the continuation of the championship. I have asked my players to play with passion and confidence that enabled us to get ahead early was a decisive step towards victory,” said Anorthosis Ammochostos’ coach Slavoljub Muslin.
“I am very pleased with my players’ performance. They were executing my plans on the pitch throughout the game. We beat a very difficult opponent away from home. I want to thank our fans for following us today and to dedicate this victory to them,” concluded Muslin.
The Paraguayan forward Aldo Adorno found the net in the first half to put Apollon Limassol ahead against Ermis Aradippou and Junior Agogo made it 2-0 in 64th minutes before Joeano converted a penalty 12 minutes from time to set the final score.
In other games of the round Enosis Neon Paralimni beat APOP Kinyras Peyias 3-1 with Ivan Trickovski scoring twice in the first half for the hosts, while APEP Pitsilia upset Nea Salamis Ammochostos away from home 2-1 as Brazilian striker Gelson scored an injury time winner. AEL Limassol and Ethnikos Achnas played out an entertaining 2-2 draw.
In the final game of the fifteenth round Omonoia Nicosia hosted Doxa Katokopia at the GSP Stadium late yesterday evening.
