APOEL joint AEL and AEK Larnaca at the top of the league standings on Monday night after recording a hard-fought 2-1 win over Anorthosis Famagusta.
Igor de Camargo had put APOEL ahead just before the halftime after bundling the ball past Jan Koprivec in the Anorthosis goal. The hosts had further chances to score through Pieros Sotiriou and Vinicius but Anorthosis grew in confidence after the break and missed chances to draw level through Rayos, Airam and Esmael Goncalves.
Inaki Astiz added APOEL’s second on 89 minutes with a header from close range but Ronny Levy’s Anorthosis did manage to pull a goal back a minute later through former APOEL striker Goncalves.
Thomas Christiansen’s APOEL – who were drawn to play Athletic Club Bilbao in the Europa League Last 32 – are currently level on points with AEL and AEK – who dropped two points in a 1-1 draw at Doxa on Sunday.
Apollon Limassol’s hopes for a top four finish suffered another big setback on Saturday night after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Nea Salamina.
The news was bitter Apollon’s hated rivals AEL, who overpowered Anagennises Derynia 3-1 at the Tasos Markou Stadium in Paralimni.
Pedro Emanuel’s Apollon had been missing strikers Abraham Guie and Anton Maglica for the game against Anagennises but third choice striker Mattheuz Piech was on hand to fire his side into an early lead.
But last season’s top scorer Dmitar Makriev had other ideas and he equalised just after halftime after a great cross from Nassir Maachi.
Apollon had also dropped points in their previous league game.
AEL, meanwhile, went top of the standings – having played a game more than closest challengers AEK and APOEL – with their win in Paralimni.
Mesca had given Pambos Christodoulou’s side the lead before Wesslem equalised on the half-hour.
AEL fought back to equalise through Diego Bueno and Lucas SouzaOmonia were left stunned on Saturday night and their top four hopes dented when Ermis Aradippou scored twice in stoppage time to clinch a 2-2 draw in Larnaca.
John Carver’s Omonia – who had gone into the game at the Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium on the backend of a heavy 4-1 defeat by Anorthosis Famagusta – had been seemingly in the driving seat after storming into a two goal lead through Brazilians Renato Margaca and Cleyton.
But the celebrations turned to despair for the Omonia fans when Leandros Lillis and Edward Mashinya scored past Andreas Christodoulou in stoppage time.
The draw saw club officials of Omonia hit out against some of the refereeing decisions which they feel have stunted their season so far before accusing the referee of not calling a foul on Christodoulou in the build-up to Ermis’ second goal.
Cyprus Weekly