As fans watched the Europa League and rejoiced at Ronaldo’s first goal of the competition and of the season in general, something truly unique happened where no one expected. In Cyprus, Alexander Kokorin scored in an official match!
Russian striker “Arisa” entered the field in the second half of the match of the 4th round of the Cypriot championship once morest “Karmiotissa” and in the fifth extra minute hammered a gosher. Having received the ball, Alexander beat the defender and sent it from the penalty area between the legs of the goalkeeper.
Unfortunately, this ball did not help his club – “Aris” lost 1:2. But there is still something to rejoice at: a goal in the Cypriot championship is the first for Kokorin in 655 days. The last time he scored on November 29, 2020 in the RPL match “Spartak” – “Rotor” (2: 0).
Earlier, the striker played 2 incomplete matches for Aris – once morest Olympiacos (5:0) and APOEL (1:0) and scored 1 assist (in the game with Olympiacos). And on the eve of the meeting with Karmiotissa, he even received praise from the head coach of Aris Alexei Shpilevsky.
“Sasha is still gaining shape. But it already looks better than immediately following arrival. It is felt that he has acclimatized, the team received him well. By the way he rejoiced at the victory over APOEL, how he was worried, it is clear that he is charged and has a great desire to play.
I feel its charge. He wants to prove everything to himself first. So, I think they will return to him from the national team, ”said Shpilevsky.
Surprisingly, outside of Cyprus, they also believe in Kokorin! Recently, Fiorentina midfielder Zdravko Kuzmanovich spoke positively regarding the future of Alexander:
“He had a difficult period at Fiorentina. It happens in football. He is a good player who has a lot of good qualities – I don’t understand what was his problem in Florence. Now Kokorin is in another club where he can show his level, ”Sport24 correspondent Alexander Petrov conveyed the words of Kuzmanovich.
And here is what his former Zenit teammate Miguel Danny said regarding Kokorin:
“Kokorin is an amazing football player, congratulations to him on scoring a goal for a new club! I liked playing with him at Zenith. I remember that he was very good. I hope that this year he will really play in Aris and return to his previous level. It was always a pleasure to watch his game, he knows how to surprise opponents.
In my opinion, Kokorin is still young and he has time to restore his career. I believe in Sasha and wish him to return to the level of play that he had at Zenit, ”RB Sport quotes Danny.
Is Kokorin really reviving his career?!
Even despite the steep start in Cyprus, it is still hard to believe in it. But on the other hand, watching Alexander’s performances is becoming more and more interesting!