Champions AEL warmed up for their big Europa League clash against Fenerbahce next week with a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Nea Salamina although the game was overshadowed by the inclusion of AEL midfielder Rui Miguel who Salamina claim was not eligible to play due to a yellow card suspension.
With Pambos Christodoulou’s side still without a win in over three weeks and with Fenerbahce waiting around the corner, the Cypriot title holders were desperate for the best possible boost ahead of the big game on Thursday. But their plans were thwarted on 23 minutes when former player Helio Roque struck a fierce shot past Matias Degra. The tied appeared to turn moments later when Salamina’s Jose Semedo was shown a straight red card by referee Antonis Christodoulou for apparently shoving Monteiro during an off-the-ball incident and the hosts dominated from there on. Vouho eventually equalised with a header on 71 minutes before the same player snatched the winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time from the penalty spot after Rodrigo was ruled to have handled the ball in the area. The defeat prompted fierce protests from Salamina but chairman George Genagritis sent shockwaves across the local footballing community when he stated that AEL subsitute Rui Miguel should not have played because he was serving a yellow card suspension. According to statistics, the Portuguese player had been booked in his side’s Super Cup final defeat to Omonia as well as the league games against Alki, Olympiakos and Omonia. Should the tribunal deem that the Super Cup final counts in terms of yellow cards, then a forfeit victory will most likely be given to Salamina.
Elsewhere, AEK went top of the league – with fellow leaders Anorthosis and APOEL in action tomorrow against Omonia and Olympiakos respectively – after a commanding 3-0 win over Ayia Napa while Apollon returned to winning ways under new manager Nicky Papavasiliou with a 3-0 victory away to Ton Caanen’s Enosis Neon Paralimniou.
The other game on Saturday between AEP and Ethnikos Achnas ended 0-0.
Cyprus Weekly