Ricardo Sá Pinto’s Pafos side secured a crucial 2-0 home victory over Aris on Sunday, guaranteeing their place in European competitions next season.
Goals from João Correia in the 30th minute and Dragomir in the 49th minute sealed the win for the Portuguese coach’s team. The result ensures Pafos holds onto fourth place in the Cypriot league table with 58 points, six clear of APOEL with only two rounds remaining. Pafos also holds the advantage in the head-to-head tiebreaker, making their European qualification all but certain.
Sá Pinto, who took over as manager in the summer, has guided the club to its best league finish in recent years. The victory marks the end of a strong campaign for Pafos, who have consistently performed well under the Portuguese tactician’s leadership. The team’s defensive solidity and attacking efficiency were on full display against Aris, with Correia’s early strike setting the tone before Dragomir doubled the lead shortly after halftime.
As the Cypriot season winds down, Pafos can now look forward to representing the island nation in European competition, a significant achievement for a club that has steadily risen in stature under Sá Pinto’s guidance.
