APOEL march on in Cyprus

By John Leonidou

Champions APOEL FC lead the Cypriot First Division by two points from Anorthosis Famagusta FC after seven matches. APOEL dropped their first points when they drew 1-1 away to Dighenis Morphou FC on 30 October, but they returned to form last Sunday by beating AEK Larnaca FC 2-0 at home, Stavros Georgiou and Georgos Vakouftsis getting the goals.

Derby win
However, the highlight of another successful month for Ivan Jovanovic's side was the 3-1 Nicosia derby victory against AC Omonia on 23 October. Georgos Nicolaou put Omonia ahead, but Chrysis Michael equalised moments after APOEL goalkeeper Michalis Morfis saved a penalty. Stelios Okkarides added APOEL's second after the break and despite ending the game with ten men following Marios Elia's dismissal, the home team scored a late third through Konstantinos Makrides.

Smuda sacked 
Omonia's Polish coach Franciszek Smuda was sacked after that result, with Vesko Mihajlovic taking charge as player-coach. Omonia have won just twice in seven outings and their hopes of catching the leaders receded further when they lost 2-0 at Olympiakos Nicosia FC on Saturday. Second-half goals from Panicos Spyrou and Zimbabwean international Zenzo Moyo lifted Nikolai Kosdov's side to sixth, two points above eighth-placed Omonia.

Anorthosis dazzle
Anorthosis preserved their unbeaten start by overturning a 2-0 deficit to claim a dramatic 3-2 away success against AEP Paphos FC on Saturday. Trailing 2-0 after 90 minutes in a game that saw three players sent off, Anorthosis clinched victory thanks to injury-time goals from Nikos Froussos, David Chaladze and Dutch sensation Nordin Wooter.

Supassed expectations
Timuri Ketsbaia's team have surpassed expectations, and after goalless draws against Dighenis and AEK, have returned to form with consecutive wins against AEL Limassol FC, Ethnikos Achnas FC and AEP. The stage is set perfectly for the showdown at home to APOEL on 20 November.

Alki prosper
Alki Larnaca FC are also on song, Angel Kolev's third-placed outfit showing no sign of faltering after overcoming bottom club Aris Limassol FC 3-2 on Saturday to stay within five points of the leaders. Fellow newcomers Nea Salamis FC have impressed too, lying in fifth place, while AEL are fourth after successive victories against Nea Salamis, 2-1 on 30 October, and Achnas, 1-0 away on Saturday. Aris remain bottom without a point from seven matches, six points adrift of AEK.