League

La Bombonera
Spectators: 9215 (Terracing: 6913, Seating: 2119, VIP seats: 183) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Helios Haritos took the kick off in the first half of the match. Konstantinos Theodoratos stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Odysseas Melonakos's shot from short distance in the 5th minute. Alexandros Villas received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 12th minute. Konstantinos Theodoratos tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 13th minute, Melikertes Mersinias hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After 15 minutes, Giannis Melonakos mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the AC OMONOIA and the Efstathiou UTD players grew even worse after the yellow card. After 15 played minutes AC OMONOIA got a freekick which was hit by Giannis Melonakos. After having played for 16 minutes, Helios Haritos managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Efstathiou UTD's supporters crossed their fingers, but Helios Haritos was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Efstathiou UTD's Laios Houlis got a good chance for a goal in the 18th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 20th minute of the game. One of Efstathiou UTD:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of AC OMONOIA:s goal. Russ Sanderson made an important save on a dangerous shot by Giannis Banos in the 27th minute. Konstantinos Theodoratos showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Odysseas Melonakos in the 31st minute of the match. 32 minutes into the match, AC OMONOIA's goalkeeper Russ Sanderson had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Laios Houlis. Laios Houlis fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 33rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Russ Sanderson having to interfere. In the 40th minute Helios Haritos shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Russ Sanderson saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After 47 played minutes AC OMONOIA got a freekick which was hit by Kaineus Rigatos. Laios Houlis recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 48th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After the first half AC OMONOIA were leading 0-1. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

In the 54th minute, Helios Haritos got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. If Odysseas Melonakos had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 57th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. The supporters of AC OMONOIA booed when Efstathiou UTD was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 64 match minutes in a wonderful position. Haides Telis didn't get a good kick on the ball. Odysseas Melonakos sent away a hard shot on goal in the 71st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 72 minutes into the game, Giannis Banos was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Efstathiou UTD's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave AC OMONOIA the free kick. In the 72nd match minute, Efstathiou UTD was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Giannis Banos to maneuver through the defense. In the 75th minute AC OMONOIA were awarded a corner. Pavlos Kanavos went to the cornerflag to take it. The corner led AC OMONOIA's Pavlos Kanavos to fire away a dangerous shot which Konstantinos Theodoratos despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. In the 78th minute Odysseas Melonakos shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Konstantinos Theodoratos saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Konstantinos Theodoratos made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Odysseas Melonakos in the 79th minute of play. Kaineus Rigatos kicked well hit freekick during the 80th minute of the match. After a rather tough play, Efstathiou UTD's Akastos Hagias got a free kick in the 85th minute. In the 86th minute, Odysseas Melonakos got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. After some fancy dribbling in the 89th minute, Helios Haritos managed to get in a good position for a shot. Efstathiou UTD's supporters rose to their feet, but Helios Haritos was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Russ Sanderson breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. After 93 minutes, Kaineus Rigatos mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the AC OMONOIA and the Efstathiou UTD players grew even worse after the yellow card. Kaineus Rigatos hit a great freekick 93 minutes into the match. In the 95th minute Laios Houlis shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Russ Sanderson saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The AC OMONOIA supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing AC OMONOIA would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.