CYPRUS - PREMIERSHIP

LGR , Alkis Spyrou - Thursday 8th 2008f May 2008

Anorthosi – AEK: 3 – 3 (Frousos 11’. 25’ (pen), 90’– Kingsley 24’, Gonzalez 33’ (pen), Christou 39’)

Anorthosi were officially crowned champions yesterday (Saturday 03/05/08) following their match with local rivals AEK. The visitors almost spoiled the big party (and Anorthosi’s unbeaten record) but a last minute goal secured that Anorthosi can finish the season without a single loss.
The first half was an entertaining, eventful and goal-delightful as the account opened in the 11’. Nikos Frousos headed home Samaras’ cross to make it 1 – 0. AEK, who was the better team in the opening minutes of the match, managed to equalise with an adventurous way in the 24th minute. Kingsley hit the woodwork and Ranem couldn’t manage score in the rebound, but Kingsley was at the ball’s course and made it 1 – 1. Their celebrations did not last long as just after the re-start of the game, Frousos converted a penalty to give the lead back to the champions. AEK continued to press on and was rewarded for their perseverance as Gonzalez mimed Frousos and converted his own penalty (33’). Then the game was turned on its head 5 minutes later as Christou headed the ball in Bekaj’s net to give the visitors the lead, 2 – 3. That was the final score for half-time and the second half looked promising as Anorthosi wanted to finish off their home season with a win.
Frousos hid the post in the 55’ and time as running out for them. However, the Greeek striker came to the rescue and completed his hat-trick. He converted Laban’s cross to make it 3 – 3 and at least preserve their unbeaten record.
Anorthosi showed their composure that defined throughout the season while AEK proved that they deservedly moved into the top-tier of the championship this year.

APOEL – Omonoia: 2 – 2 (Makrides 33’, Kontis 69’ – Kaseke 32’, Chailis 54’)

In a game that seemed more like a friendly game (4000 spectators) rather than local derby, APOEL and Omonoia shared two goals a piece and a point. Their minds were focused on their Wednesday’s Cup semi-final.
Omnoia twice got the lead with Kaseke (32’) and Chailis (54’) but APOEL twice replied back with Makrides (33’) and Kontis (69’) to cancel their lead. APOEL had the chance to “steal” the win the dying minutes when Makrides missed his penalty. Now everybody is preparing for the 2nd leg of the Cup semi-final on Wednesday that will determine who will qualify for the final and Europe next season. APOEL has already done so through their 2nd spot at the league (UEFA) but Omonoia needs to qualify in the final to have a chance to secure European football for next year.

Apollon – Ethnikos Achnas: 0 – 2 (Nawmof 3’, 74’)

Apollon had his mind in their 2nd Cup semi-final leg against Anorthosi rather than their match against Ethnikos. That’s cost them as they faced their first home defeat of the season. Nawmof gave the visitors the lead in the 3’ and from that point on Apollon took in charge of the game but without any results. It was Ethnikos that managed to score (in one of their fast-breaks) but Pogiatzi’s goal was disallowed as offside. In the 2nd half, Apollon had the biggest possession share but they were dysfunctional. So, as the law of football states, Ethnikos scored again to seal all three points. Lopez made a great move and his cross was made by Nawmof to head it home in the 74th minute.

APOP/Kinyras – Enosis Neon Paralimniou: 3 – 4 (Pikramenos 26’, Sfakianakis 59’, Eduardo 69’ – Freddy 15’ (pen), 61’, 86’, Christofi 66’)
In another open and free-flowing game, ENP managed to win away to APOP/Kinyras. Freddy with a penalty in the 15’ opened his personal account but Pikramenos’ header (following a cross from Sfakianakis) equalised the score and the final result for the half-time. Second half was a goal extravaganza as the lead was changing team in a rapid tempo. Sfakianakis gave the lead to the home team but seconds later Freddy equalised for Enosis. Christofi took advantage a mistake by APOP’s defence to give them the lead 2 – 3. But Edurado did not take long to equalise for APOP. In the final minutes, both teams pushed forward to take the win but Freddy completed his hat-trick to give the visitors three points.

Doxa – AEL: 1 – 2 (Da Costa 32’ – Krassas 15’, Tzoka 29’ (pen))

AEL secured their top-flight status for next year as they beat Doxa in Nicosia. Simos Krassas with a powerful left shot made it 0 – 1 and brought the visitors nearer to promise land. The score at the other “Group of Death”-match (that resulted in Aris being relegated) made the teams more relaxed. Tzoka made it 0 – 2 in the 29th minute by converting a penalty and Da Costa (Leading goal scorer with 16 goals) finalised the score in the 32’ with a short-range score. Second half was totally indifferent as the result at the other match meant that AEL secured their position so both teams were thinking of summer holidays.


Alki – Aris: 4 – 1 (Clayton 19’, Soares 21’, Da Silva 31’, Ronga 60’ – Dinita 43’)

Aris was the 3rd team to be relegated as they lost to indifferent Alki away. Alki were sublime in the first half and they took a convincing 3 – 0 lead, that gave them the win. Clayton missed a penalty in the 19’ but slotted the ball home with the resulting rebound while Soares took advantage of Clayton’s pass to make it 2 – 0 (21’). Ten minutes later the magic triplet (Soares – Clayton – Da Silva) connected to allow the Brazilian to finish off Aris. The visitors managed to pull one back with Romanian Dinita. Ronga made it in 4 – 1 in the stroke of the 60th minute to give a festival tone to the match.

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