Cyprus’ most capped player Yiannakis Okkas has decided to call time on his international career at the age of 35 saying “the biggest chapter” of his career has come to a close.
The much traveled Okkas has played for a number of clubs in Cyprus and Greece including Nea Salamina, Omonia, Anorthosis Famagusta, AEK Athens, PAOK and Olympiacos as well as a brief stint in Spain with Celta de Vigo.
Forward Okkas made his senior debut for Cyprus in a 3-2 friendly defeat to Poland on February 15, 1997 as a 19-year-old and never looked back as he went on to embark on a 15-year love affair with Cyprus which finally ended on October 11 last year – in which he scored in a 3-1 defeat to Norway in Oslo in a EURO 2012 qualifier. “The national team was the biggest chapter of my professional career”, said an emotional Okkas. “I am ending my time with the national side. I would like to thank all those at the Cyprus Football Association (CFA) like Mr. [Marios] Lefakaritis and Mr. [Costakis] Koutsokoumnis. I would also like to thank all my coaches, me teammates, the media and my family who were my biggest sponsors.”
Speaking about his decision to call time on his career with Cyprus, Okkas – whose club Anorthosis are still in the running for league and Cypriot Cup double – noted, “The decision to step down was very hard especially after serving your country for 15 years. As a player, I always gave everything for Cyprus.
“It wouldn’t have been fair to take part in the upcoming qualifiers because I knew that my body wouldn’t be able to give that 100% that I always give and finish off what I started.” He added, “I leave with my head held high. Even games when things went against us – during tough times for us – I never held back. Even when we lost 8-0 to Spain, I continued to be proud to play for Cyprus.”
Speaking about Okkas’ retirement from international football, CFA Chairman Costakis Koutsokoumnis said, “Yiannakis was an honour for Cypriot football. A total professional who was not only a great player but a wonderful person and a friend. The doors of the CFA will always be open to Yiannakis for any possible future cooperation.”
Okkas is regarded as one of the greatest Cypriot players ever and made 106 appearances for the island scoring 27 times including a famous chip over France’s Gregory Coupet in a EURO 2004 qualifier as well as goals against Germany, Wales and Italy. “The goal I scored against France is I believe the best one I ever scored for Cyprus.”
Okkas picked up a deep cross from the left, skipped past Claude Makele and sent a delicate chip over a stranded Coupet to give Cyprus the lead in Nicosia. France would eventually fight back to win 2-1.”
Cyprus Weekly