No let-up in Cypriot contest

By John Leonidou

Eleven points ahead of the chasing pack, Anorthosis Famagusta FC and APOEL FC are locked in a fierce battle for the Cypriot title.

Changing lanes
The island's other sides have been able to do little more than stand and watch as the two clubs jockey for top spot. APOEL had been two points clear but relinquished their position last weekend with a 3-3 draw at Enosis Neon Paralimni FC, leaving Timur Ketsbaia's team to take pole with a 3-1 win at Dighenis Morphou FC.

Goal difference
Anorthosis currently lead on goal difference, but having signed former Slovenian international Mladen Rudonja from Apollon Limassol FC during the winter break, they will be hoping to extend that advantage in the coming weeks.

Fine form
Certainly, Ketsbaia's men have been in fine form, winning 4-1 away to Aris Limassol FC and 2-0 against AC Omonia with goals from Nicos Froussos and Nicos Nicolaou. The player-manager has also impressed and scored twice in the victory against Dighenis.

APOEL movers
Having sold star man Constantinos Charalambides to Greek champions Panathinaikos FC last month, APOEL recruited former Slovenian international Miran Pavlin and Ebenezer Hagan from Greek side Kerkira FC. In addition, ex-Middlesbrough FC defender Dean Gordon joined Chris Bart-Williams and Hamilton Ricard as the third English Premiership old boy at the club.

Coaching changes
The winter break also saw a flurry of coaching changes. Fourth-placed Omonia brought in Belgian Henk Houwaart, who led them to the title in 2000/01, to replace player-coach Vesko Mihajlovic. Meanwhile, Nikolai Kosdov, sacked by Olympiakos Nicosia FC two months ago, has taken over at cup holders AEK Larnaca FC.

Relegation struggle
AEK and Apollon are in the unusual position of battling against relegation with the likes of AEP Paphos FC, Ethnikos Achnas FC, Dighenis and Enosis as newly-promoted Alki Larnaca FC and Nea Salamis FC have adapted uncharacteristically well to life in the top flight.