ELEVEN HEAVEN
Super League leaders MTG guarantee New Year top spot with 11th win in a row
AKSA Super League leaders Mağusa Türk Gücü (MTG) will enter 2023 in first place as they recorded their 11th consecutive victory with just two rounds of matches left before the winter break.
However MTG were made to work hard for their 3-2 win at home to bottom side Hamitköy on Sunday.
Emre Özsin gave the hosts the lead with a headed goal in the 23rd minute. But the visitors stunned the home supporters at the Gazimağusa Dr Fazıl Küçük Stadium with goals either side of the break from Emmanuel Ernest.
Hamitköy looked set to cause an upset but Arif Uysal and Ünal Kaya both struck in the final nine minutes of normal time to gain another three points for MTG.
With 13 matches played the defending champions have 37 points. Even if they lose their next two league fixtures today and on Wednesday, MTG will still end the year on top of the table thanks to their seven-point lead over nearest rivals Cihangir, who won 2-1 away to Çetinkaya to remain in contention for the title.
Third- and fourth-placed Yenicami and Miracle Değirmenlik took points off each other in a thrilling 3-3 draw at the Değirmenlik Sadık Cemil Stadium.
Miracle Değirmenlik took the lead after just four minutes, but Yenicami came back with two goals before the hosts equalised just before the break. Yenicami then regained the lead in the 65th minute and were all set for three points but Emmanuel Akabueze scored a last-minute equaliser for Miracle Değirmenlik to ensure that the spoils were shared.
Six goals were also scored as Göçmenköy won 4-2 away to second-from-last Gönyeli last Saturday, while fans were treated to seven goals as Merit Alsancak Yeşilova struck twice in the final moments of their clash away to Türk Ocağı Limasol to win 4-3.
In the weekend’s other games Lefke and Doğan Türk Birliği drew 1-1, as did China Bazaar Gençlik Gücü and Mesarya, while Yonpaş Dumlupınar won 2-0 away to Küçük Kaymaklı .
Week 14 got under way on Thursday with Göçmenköy taking on China Bazaar Gençlik Gücü. The match finished 3-3. Three more matches were due to take place yesterday after Cyprus Today went to print. The top four teams will be in action today, with no matches played tomorrow due to the local elections.
Week 15 Super League matches will be held on Wednesday and Thursday followed by a mid-season break. RECORD-BREAKING