Othellos Athienou secured a 2-1 historic win over league leaders Apollon Limassol on Wednesday night to advance into Cyprus Coca-Cola Cup quarterfinals for the first time in their history.
A first half brace from Giorgos Loizou, who has spent the majority of his career in the lower divisions of Cyprus, handed the Costs Sakkas’ side a famous win and a tie against AEK Larnaca in the next round.
League leaders Apollon had been held to a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Limassol and there were further warnings that they would be in for a tough evening following their 2-2 draw in the league against the same opponents, days after their first leg tie.
Ioan Andone’s men got off to the perfect start however when Panagiotis Panagiotou flicked a Farely Rosa cross past his own keeper but Loizou equalised soon after receiving a cross from the left from Levan Khmaladze.
The same player then put Othellos into the lead just before the halftime whistle when he was again in the right place at the right time to head Elguja Grigalashvili’s deflected cross past Bruno Vale.
In the other quarterfinal ties on Wednesday, Marco Tagbajumi tucked away a late penalty to earn AEL a 2-2 draw at Ethnikos – a result that saw Christakis Christoforou’s side move into the last eight whey Ermis Aradippou lie in waiting.
APOEL had an easier afternoon as goals from Tomas de Vincenti, Cillian Sheridan and George Efrem ensured the Cypriot double winners had no problems against second division side Olympiakos Nicosia. Thorsten Fink’s side had won the first leg 1-0 away.
The remaining quarterfinal second leg ties take place next week with Omonia travelling to Ayia Napa with a 4-0 lead. Should they avoid an upset, they will face Karmiotissa in the next round. Anorthosis will also be in action next week at home to Digenis Oroklini having won the first leg 2-1 away.
Cyprus Weekly