AEK defeated Omonia Aradippou 1-0 in the match that concluded the 5th round of the Cyprus League by Stoiximan.
After the match, Rubén Segues noted that his team never gave up and singled out the players who came off the bench and made the difference.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
AEK – Omonia aradippou (starting lineups)
AEK – Omonia aradippou (starting lineups)
For his part, Yiannis Okkas, despite the loss, was pleased with the effort shown by his players.
Here are their comments in detail:
Rubén Segues (AEK): “It was a tough game, especially in the first half. There were situations in the second half—and in the first half as well—that we didn’t control. When we reached halftime, we were confident we were on the right track; we just had to adjust, and in the second half, I think we dominated. Apart from a few corner kicks, we controlled the game and created many chances. I want to highlight the attitude of this group, the team’s attitude. Everyone supports the team from their position, each from a different position each time. So today, the players who started gave it their all, and the players who came off the bench made the difference. We never give up. We believe right until the very end. We got the three points. We’re happy, and it’s a good test for us. Congratulations to our opponents, because they made things very difficult for us, especially in the first half, and with these three points, we’ll move on to the next game.”
What do you think changed in the second half that allowed the team to pick up the pace—why weren’t they as static? We also saw some variations in the formation, I’d say—either in how we built up play or when we were defending. “We didn’t change that much. The way we adjusted was by reading certain situations—especially between the lines—and we identified a key area that could be—that could prove decisive for us. I believe we’re creating a lot on our right side with Amor, Naum, and Karim, and we tried to take advantage of that in the second half when we saw that there was space where we could—where we could score and create opportunities.”
Yiannis Okkas (Omonia Aradippou): “Unfortunately, we played a game against an opponent we knew very well. We knew how difficult this game would be. We tried to shut down AEK so they wouldn’t create any chances against us. I think we largely succeeded in that. Certainly, as time went on—especially in the second half—AEK picked up the pace and put more pressure on us. At that point, to be honest, I believed we’d take control of the game with a counterattack to do the damage. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage it. AEK’s pressure paid off; aside from the missed penalty, they created chances of their own, and in the end, they managed to score a goal and take the points. I’m very pleased with the effort. We showed again today that Aradippou will be a tough nut to crack for everyone this season. I want to offer my heartfelt congratulations to our players; despite some absences, they rose to the occasion, fought hard, and gave it their all. Unfortunately, the only thing that leaves a bitter taste is the result. Beyond that, congratulations to everyone—to the fans who supported us once again.”
Many people say that recognition from the opponent is often more important than victory. We saw it at the end of the match, when you headed toward the tunnel and received applause from the AEK fans in the main stands. What does that mean to you? “It means a lot. It says a lot about soccer in general. It’s a big deal to get a round of applause from your opponent. I think it’s time we love soccer and see the good aspects of the game, because there are so many. Okay, what can we say? Thank you for the applause—it truly honors us—and best of luck to AEK because they have a very good team.”
