Cyprus Mail
Cyprus footballSport

Apollon stay on top, Apoel resurgence continues

Mar 2873
Apollon beat Olympiakos 2-1 in Limassol on Sunday to maintain top spot in the table

Apollon, Omonia and Anorthosis all recorded victories in the Cyprus First Division over the weekend, with the trio taking advantage of AEL’s surprise defeat at Paralimni on Friday night.

In what was one of the more open games of the round, Apollon beat Olympiakos 2-1 in Limassol on Sunday to maintain top spot in the table.

Both teams created a number of high-quality opportunities and the score could have easily been higher than what it ended up being.

Speaking after the game, Apollon manager Giannis Petrakis labelled the first half a ‘rodeo’, saying that the risks his team willingly took shaped the spectacle.

“In the second half, if we exclude the final ten minutes, we completely controlled the game. It was exactly how I want us to be”, Petrakis explained.

On the transfer of Attila Szalai to Turkish side Fenerbahçe, Petrakis explained that the club will not stand in the way of a player moving to a better league.

“First and foremost, I have to specify that I am not the one who defines who stays and who goes. I will not become an obstacle for a player’s transfer. Szalai was a top player for me. This move will be a step up for him and enable him to go higher”, Petrakis stated.

“We need additions, 100 per cent. We are working every day on this. We might get one or two players”, he added.

This sentiment was echoed by Apollon’s press officer Fanourios Konstantinou, who said that this week entails changes for the club since the team is in need of reinforcements.

Earlier on Sunday, Apoel continued their post-Mick McCarthy uptick in form by beating Pafos FC 3-2 away from home.

The game was notable for its long and repeated use of VAR with all three major incidents involving penalty claims.

Apoel had two claims for a penalty, from which one was given, while they gave away a spot-kick of their own, when experienced centre-back Merkis handled the ball inside the area during the dying minutes of the game.

Newly-appointed manager Savvas Poursaitidis could not hide his elation after the game, saying the performance was very pleasing and that he was happy with his players.

“I’m very happy with my team who played some exceptional football. Of course, there are aspects of the game which troubled us but I am very optimistic about the future”, the Apoel manager said.

On any future transfers, Poursaitidis said that he had already taken some decisions about his squad but the coronavirus situation and airport restrictions have created some issues.

“We are communicating with the board although I know I don’t have a lot of time. I am focused on my current players and if some new ones join then good”, he explained.

On Monday, Apoel confirmed an agreement for the transfer of 30-year-old centre back Paulo Vinícius Souza dos Santos.

Santos is Brazilian-born but is the holder of a Hungarian passport after his eight-year stint at Hungarian side Videoton which also resulted in the player playing seven times for the Hungarian national team.

On Saturday, Anorthosis defeated Salamina 2-0 in the Famagusta derby, with VAR taking centre stage again after Anorthosis’ claims for a second penalty when Osei handled the ball inside the penalty area.

On the same day, Omonia beat Ethnikos 2-0 in Nicosia. Funnily enough the Nicosia team picked up the three points without one of their players finding the back of the net.

Both goals were scored by Ethnikos players, with Omonia’s Jordi Gomes credited with both assists.

The culprits, Deyvison in the 14th minute and then Goga towards the end of the game, both slicing the ball past their hapless goalkeeper Bogadinov who could have saved both efforts if his defenders had allowed him to do so.

The 20th round came to a conclusion on Monday night, with Doxa and AEK playing out a 0-0 stalemate.

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