AEL beat Enosis Paralimniou 4-1 to stay on top two points ahead of their Limassol rivals Apollon within fifteen minutes AEL were three nil up Orlando Sa scored two goals giving him a total of 13 for the season so far, the other AEL goals came from Monteiro and Kaloutserovits.
Spanish coach Angel Lotina has not endeared himself to Omonia supporters following his first game in charge, after Sunday’s humiliating home 4-2 defeat to Apollon.
Apollon played a perfect away match, countering with intent to take the three points, through 2 Sangoy goals, one from the spot and one a piece from Pappoulis and Gullon in the dying minutes of extra time.
Lotina gambled with different tactics which cost him control of the midfield and provided no support for the strikers.
In spite of Omonia’s two goals, lack of confidence showed when the Nicosia club missed a penalty, when Apollon only had a goal lead.
The defeat launches a new round of turmoil as it was hoped that Lotina could provide the stability Omonia needed, following the sacking of Toni Savevski after a string of bad results, including a defeat by bitter rivals APOEL.
Omonia has brought in three coaches in less than a year and needs to regroup fast if the team is to remain title contenders.
Fans are disappointed in what seems to be the lack of decisive, passionate play putting increasing pressure on the club’s administration. Apollon on the other hand have shown staying power and in spite of a slight drop in form before the Christmas holidays have come back strongly to claim second place and are within touching distance of top spot.
The Limassol team are heavily reliant on the offensive qualities of Sangoy with good wingers feeding deadly crosses in the opposing areas.
And Apollon usually don’t concede that many and have displayed a determination lacking in previous campaigns. It’s now up to the chasing pack to raise their game with more winter derbies ahead.
In the other Sunday games Ermis Aradippou beat Doxa 5-1 to remain in third place , Anorthosis beat Alki 3-1 to put them on same points with Omonia but above them on goal average.