League leaders Anorthosis Famagusta missed out on the chance to go eight points clear of second place APOEL on Sunday after only managing a 0-0 draw at home to Apollon Limassol. Ronny Levy’s side failed to score for the first time this season in domestic competition – despite preserving their unbeaten run – as Apollon put up tough resistence at a packed Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium in Larnaca. Anorthosis hopes of grabbing the win were made more complicated when Paulo Jorge was sent off for clattering over Apollon’s Demetris Souanis late in the first half. Despite being a man down, Anorthosis should have snatched the victory late on but Ricardo Laborde sent his effort wide with only Apollon keeper Bruno Vale to beat. Apollon were also reduced to ten men in stoppage time when George Merkis was given his marching orders after receiving a second booking from Demetris Chrysostomou. The final result means Anorthosis remain six points ahead of APOEL while officials of the refugee club were left unhappy with the match official’s performance.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Olympiakos Nicosia secured a last-gasp 1-1 draw at title holders AEL after Pieros Sotiriou – who will join APOEL in the summer – scored in third minute of stoppage time. Paulo Sergio had given the Limassol hosts the lead in the first half and AEL’s Vouho missed a penalty on 87 minutes to double the advantage. The miss proved costly as Sotiriou struck late on. In the other game, Enosis Neon Paralimniou were also held to a 1-1 draw by Alki.
Cyprus Weekly