Cyprus round-up: Omonia close to glory

Omonia Nicosia FC are just one victory away from securing the Cypriot First Division title as they claimed a 1-0 win against Olympiakos Nicosia FC on Sunday, with APOEL Nicosia FC having fallen to a 3-2 defeat against Dighenis Morphou FC the previous day.

Kaiafas winner
Olympiakos did not make life easy for their Nicosia rivals, who began the weekend two points ahead of APOEL with three games left. The only goal came in first-half added time, as Kostas Kaiafas sent a shot past Olympiakos's Slovenian international goalkeeper Marco Simeunovic. Omonia were put under pressure late on as Olympiakos piled on the pressure to attempt to keep their own slim title hopes alive, but Stefan Brasas made a crucial save from Nicos Nicolaou in the closing minutes to ensure victory for the leaders.

Blow for APOEL
APOEL had already seen their hopes fade as Greek striker Georgos Papandreou scored a hat-trick for Dighenis to take them close to safety. Stelios Okkarides had given APOEL the half-time lead, but Papandreou levelled early in the second period and put his team ahead on the hour. He made it 3-1 on 70 minutes, and although Kostakis Malekkos pulled one back from the penalty spot, there was no reprieve for APOEL, whose coach Panagiotis Lemonis offered his resignation following the defeat, only for it to be refused by the board. His side had only suffered their first league defeat a week ago.

First-half goals enough
Anorthosis Famagusta FC are now in second, four points behind Omonia, as they defeated AEL Limassol FC 2-1. Bosnian international Vedran Pelic gave Anorthosis the lead in the 26th minute and Kyriakos Koursaros doubled the advantage late in the half. AEL pulled one back through Alexis Garpozis seconds before the break, but could not level the scores and Anorthosis moved into the UEFA Cup qualifying slot ahead of APOEL.

Hope for Nea Salamis
Enosis Neon Paralimniou FC kept themselves out of the relegation zone with a deserved 4-2 victory at home to AEP Paphos FC, while Nea Salamis picked up their first win in 16 league league encounters to overcome Limassol FC 3-1 but remain one defeat from relegation, four points behind Dighenis.

Pitakkas hat-trick
Already-demoted Aris Limassol FC's recent improving form continued as Christakkis Pitakkas scored a hat-trick in a 3-3 draw with Ethnikos Achnas FC, while AEK Larnaca FC defeated last-placed Alki Larnaca FC 1-0 in the local derby.