What a feast of Youth football we had inthe GSP Stadium inNicosia the Cyprus NationalUnder 16 team versus the KOPA (Cypriot Football League UK) Under 16’s.
The Cyprus National team managed by Costas Malekkos the former Cyprus International star who played for both Omonia and Apoel and one of his credits to his name is scoring a goal for Omonia versus Arsenal in the European Cup. The visitors KOPA manager is Former Leyton Orient manager Tom Loizou.
The event started with a welcoming speech from the President of the Cypriot Sports Organisation (KOA) Bambos Stylianou and from Philipos Yiapatos from the Cyprus Football Associationfollowedby a presentation to Bambos Stylianou from KOPA Vice Chairman Michalakis Michael in appreciation of KOA’s suportinthis initiative.
The players from both sides exchanged handshakes and pennants before the kick off.
Both sides keepers were busy from the outset making vital saves.The Cyprus National teamplayed good football from the start,great teamwork.The KOPA team took time to settle down but once they did they were coming out with some neat touches, Aris Savva made the Cyprus Keeper Andreas Christodoulou pull off a great save. A few minutes later a well taken free kick from Andreas Komodikis landed at the feet of Stavros Brown whose shot produced a goal that was deemed off side.
The KOPA defence were also kept busy with their defender Jack Christodoulou making a last gasp tackle from Cyprus striker Gregory Kastanos. Also late in the first half the KOPA keeper Nick Kyriacou pulled off a great save from Christos Antoniou header.
After a goalless first half the second half livened up with the Cyprus team playing neat one twos and scoring inthe 60th minute with an edge of the box shot from their striker Gregory Kastanos. In the 70th minute Cyprus increased their lead with a fine shot goal from George Christodoulou.
The KOPA team kept their heads up with Chris Elia pullling off a great shot hitting the post. Within minutes KOPA striker George Pascoulis lobbed the Cyprus keeper tomake it 2-1. KOPA piled the pressure but the Cyprus National team did well to keep them at bay to winthe game 2-1.
A great game and a terrific advertisement for Cypriot football.
KOPA Squad: Nicholas Kyriacou, Chris Antoniou, Anas Manoli, Matthew Agapiou, Phanos Chambi, Jack Christodolou, Andreas Komidikis, Luke Prokipiou, George Pascoulis, Stephan Stephanides, Stavros Demetri – Brown, Marino Hadijsavva, Kyriakos Tiritanou, Chris Elia, Kyriaco Georgiou, Mario Aristides, Aris Savva (Captain) Adam Andreou, Amerigo Sarno,andAlex Anderson.
Cyprus Squad: Andreas Christodoulou, Theodoros Iossifides, Christos Willer, Christos Antoniou, Pavlos Christodoulou, Andreas Frangou, Lenos Soteriou, Christoforos Christodoulides, Fivos Christodoulou, Tasos Anastasiou, RafaelAnastasiou, Panayiotis Panayiotou, Dimitris Charalambous, Theodoros Papanicolaou, George Malas, George Christodoulou, Anthimos Panteli, Evanthis Ioannou, Sozos Papacharalambous,AndreasLemesios, Thanassis Liassides, Gregory Kastanos
This initiative between Cyprus and the Cypriot Community in the UK will be ongoing if there are any football players of Cypriot origin between the ages of fifteen and eighteen who like to attend the next trial please contact the
General Secretary of the Cypriot Football League UK (KOPA) Michael Yiakoumi Tel: 07958 207412 or email: yiakoumi@aol.com.