Ael kept their title hopes very much alive on Saturday, retaining a two point lead over holders APOEL after a fiercely fought goalless draw at home at the Tsirio stadium. In the other big game of the day, Omonia trounced Anorthosis 4-0 away at the Antonis Papadopoulos in Larnaca to leapfrog the refugee team into third place. With only two games left to go, only six points separate the four teams in what has been described as the most closely contested championship in years.
Ael, which lost in the last minute to APOEL last weekend, was the better team until the 60th minute. But it was forced to dig deep in defence to fend off consecutive APOEL attacks after being reduced to ten men when Montiero, who had earlier hit the woodwork, saw a straight red in the 63th minute.
The draw suits Ael which now has 65 points and remains strong favourites to be crowned champions for the first time in decades. Its last two games — against Anorthosis and Omonia, are both at home.
For APOEL, which made history when it became the first Cypriot football team to make it to the final 8 of the Champions League earlier this year, its first back to back in years, appears more elusive after today’s result.
Omonia bounced back from a loss at home to Anorthosis to trounce the refugee club and earn three valuable points that put it two points behind rivals APOEL and five away from leaders Ael. Anorthosis was reduced to 10 men from the 17th minute after Martins was booked with a straight red. Ben Dayan opened the score for the visitors in the 43rd minute, while Alves scored twice in the 67th and 74th minutes.. The final goal came from Bergouniou in the 89th. Omonia take on Nicosia rivals and current holders APOEL next weekend.
In the other saturday game AEK lost to Apollon 1-0
Cyprus Weekly
