Cyprus League: Game Week 22 Roundup

Anorthosis 1-1 Krasava

Anorthosis were denied a second consecutive victory after Christodoulou struck deep into stoppage time to earn Krasava a 1–1 draw at the Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium. The hosts had taken the lead in the 37th minute through Kiss, who finished well after a clever assist from Lopes, and largely controlled proceedings despite the game offering few clear-cut chances.

In the second half, Anorthosis pushed for a second goal that would have sealed the win. Kiss came closest when his long-range effort crashed against the crossbar before he later forced a strong save from Zadro, while Lopes and Tosic also went close as the home side searched for breathing space. However, their inability to convert proved costly.

Deep into stoppage time, Camus delivered a cross from the left and Christodoulou rose at the far post to power home a header, rescuing a point for Krasava and leaving Anorthosis frustrated after conceding at the death.

Akritas 1–1 Aris

Akritas rescued a dramatic point deep into stoppage time to draw 1–1 with Aris in a match that only truly sparked into life late on. The first half was a cagey affair with limited chances, as Aris controlled possession but struggled to break down a disciplined home side, while Akritas looked to threaten mainly from set pieces. The tempo increased after the break as the visitors pushed higher up the pitch and began to apply sustained pressure.

Aris took the lead around the 80th minute when a dangerous delivery into the box resulted in an own goal by Zinonos, seemingly putting the visitors on course for victory. However, Akritas refused to give in and continued to push forward, eventually finding their reward in the 96th minute when Miller rose highest to head home from a corner and secure a dramatic late equaliser.

AEK 0–1 Apollon

Apollon secured a valuable 1–0 away victory over AEK in Larnaca thanks to a disciplined defensive display and clinical finishing when it mattered most. The match was evenly contested for long spells, with both teams organised and cautious in possession, leading to few clear chances in a tightly fought first half dominated by midfield battles.

The decisive moment came when Brandon Thomas found the net to give Apollon the lead, forcing AEK to chase the game in the latter stages. Thomas thought he had doubled the advantage later on, but his second goal was ruled out after a VAR review for handball in the build-up. Despite late pressure from the hosts, Apollon remained compact to see out the win and claim an important three points.

Omonoia 3–0 Paralimni

Omonoia produced a dominant display at the GSP to comfortably defeat Paralimni 3–0, controlling possession and creating the better opportunities throughout. The breakthrough came just before half-time when Panayiotou was fouled inside the penalty area, allowing Semedo to convert from the spot and give the hosts a deserved lead heading into the interval.

After the restart, Omonoia continued to dictate the tempo and extended their advantage when Mmaee finished clinically from close range following a well-worked move. The result was sealed later on when Andreou reacted quickest to a rebound to add a third, completing a convincing victory that reflected Omonoia’s superiority across the ninety minutes.

Ethnikos 3-2 APOEL

Ethnikos Achna claimed a dramatic 3–2 win over APOEL at the Dasaki to record their third straight victory, moving up to 11th place on 23 points, while APOEL suffered a third consecutive league defeat and stayed on 36. The hosts made a dream start when Andereggen scored from close range after a corner hit the post, before APOEL responded through Degenek’s header from a Tomas free kick. Andereggen struck again in the 31st minute after a through ball from Papageorgiou to restore Ethnikos’ lead, giving the home side a 2–1 advantage at the break. APOEL dominated possession in the second half and levelled in the 75th minute when Koutsakos finished low after a cut-back from Tomas. However, Ethnikos hit back in the 81st minute, with Andereggen turning provider for Giousis to score first time and make it 3–2. APOEL thought they had equalised late on through Abagna, but the goal was ruled out by VAR for offside, sealing an important win for the hosts.

Olympiakos 0-0 Omonoia Aradippou

Olympiakos and Omonia Aradippou played out a hard-fought but goalless draw, with plenty of midfield battles and intensity but little quality in the final third. The visitors looked slightly more comfortable early on and even had a goal ruled out for offside, while both sides struggled to create clear chances in a stop-start first half where neither team took real risks.

After the break, Olympiakos showed more intent and pushed forward with greater frequency, while Aradippou responded by raising their lines and looking to threaten on the counter. The best chances fell to Polykarpou, who was denied by a strong save, and Kovalenko, whose effort hit the crossbar, but poor decision-making and rushed finishing meant the game ended 0–0, leaving both sides feeling they could have taken more.

AEL 0-1 Pafos

Pafos claimed an important away victory over AEL , winning a high-intensity match in which they controlled the tempo early and took the lead through a superb Bruno strike in the first half. Albert Celades’ side, under pressure after recent results, showed composure and organisation throughout, even seeing a second-half Jaja goal ruled out, while AEL also had a penalty overturned by VAR.

AEL responded strongly after the break and created several clear chances, finishing with more attempts on goal, but were repeatedly denied by goalkeeper Gorter, who made three key saves. Despite their pressure and late attacking push, the hosts were undone by poor finishing, while Pafos held firm to secure a potentially pivotal three points for their season.

Omonoia sit comfortably top with 54 points and a commanding goal difference, setting the pace ahead of AEK Larnaca in second on 46 and Apollon close behind on 45. Pafos remain firmly in the title conversation in fourth with 43 despite a patchy run, while Aris Limassol occupy fifth on 38 and APOEL are sixth with 36, still within striking distance but lacking consistency. AEL sit seventh on 30 after an up-and-down campaign, while Omonoia Aradippou hold eighth with 25 points as they look over their shoulder at the chasing pack.

Olympiakos and Anorthosis are level on 24 in ninth and tenth respectively, both struggling to turn draws into wins, with Akritas just behind on 23 alongside Ethnikos Achna, who share the same points tally but sit lower on goal difference. Krasava are 13th with 21 points and remain in trouble, while Paralimni prop up the table with just one point all season, rooted to the bottom with a significant gap to safety.