Cyprus round-up: Omonia halted by Anorthosis

Title challengers and UEFA Cup contenders Anorthosis Famagusta FC ended fellow Division A hopefuls Omonia FC’s unbeaten league run with a 3-1 victory at the Municipal Paralimni stadium on Sunday.

Immaculate connection
Anorthosis struck first when Marios Nephytou scored with an immaculate free-kick, which flew past Omonia’s German goalkeeper Stefan Brasas on 14 minutes, and doubled their lead through Christos Velis soon afterwards. Omonia wrestled themselves back into the game on 76 minutes when their influential midfield player Kostas Kaiafas found the target but Anorthosis had the last word when substitute Panicos Xiourroupas collected a fine pass from Timuri Ketsbaia and made it 3-1 in the dying minutes of the game.

Full advantage
Title holders APOEL Nicosia FC took full advantage of Omonia’s defeat as they dismantled relegation strugglers Alki FC 3-0 at the GSP stadium. Two well-taken goals from Nektarios Alexandrou and a first-half strike from Cypriot international Marios Agathocelous were enough to send Egen Gerard’s side top of the table.

Back on track
AEL Limassol FC, who have had a poor start to the season, got their campaign back on track with a 6-2 victory against AEP Paphos FC secured by two goals apiece from Tommis Chrysostomou and Brazilian Luciano de Souza as well as second-half efforts from Chrysis Michael and Josef Sebok. Zimbabwe internationals Zenzo Moyo and Joel Luphahla scored for AEP.

Savu sensation
AEL’s cross-town rivals Apollon Limassol FC were also celebrating an empathic victory after cruising past Aris Limassol FC 5-1 in the Limassol derby. Romanian striker Marjan Savu’s halfway-line chip over Aris goalkeeper Sasa Gomlenic was the highlight of the game, which also included Apollon’s Christis Theophilou spectacular first-time volley and further goals from Lukasz Sosin, who scored twice, and Savu.

Ray of light
In the weekend's other matches, Enosis Neon Paralimni FC, wedged in the relegation zone, were handed a lifeline as they defeated Nea Salamis FC 1-0 in Paralimni. Cyprus under-21 international Georgos Nicolaou headed the game's only goal.Title contenders Olympiakos Nicosia FC dropped two valuable points away at AEK Larnaca FC in a 1-1 draw and Dighenis Morphou FC grabbed their fifth win of the season with a 3-1 victory over Ethnikos Achnas FC.