AEL end long wait

AEL Limassol FC ended a 14-year wait to reach the Cypriot Cup final last night when they secured a 6-3 aggregate success against league leaders Omonia Nicosia FC with a fine 4-2 away victory. They will meet Anorthosis Famagusta FC in the 17 May final after the holders beat APOEL Nicosia FC 2-1 on aggregate despite a 1-0 loss on the night.

Victory in 1989
AEL, who last won the trophy in 1989 by defeating Aris Limassol FC 3-2 in the final, were always in control of the tie after Simos Krassias headed them in front, and 3-1 ahead on aggregate, in the 15th minute. An own goal by Nicolas Georgiou five minutes before half-time made Omonia's task considerably more difficult. 
 
Two dismissed
In-form forward Alexis Garpozis added two more for the visitors in the 48th and 83rd minutes to delight the travelling Limassol supporters, before Omonia duo Lefteris Kontolefteros and Stelios Aloneftis struck late goals. Both sides were reduced to ten men, Omonia's Ioakim Ioakim and József Sebök from AEL seeing red.

Late drama
In the other semi-final, Anorthosis were grateful for their 2-0 first-leg lead as they lost 1-0 to APOEL at the Antonis Papadopoulos stadium in Larnaca, where Kostakis Malekkos struck the only goal deep into added time. Two Anorthosis players, Radoslaw Michalski and Nicos Nicolaou, were dismissed in the final minutes.