Cyprus part company with Anastasiadis

Angelos Anastasiadis has been dismissed as coach of Cyprus following a disappointing run of results in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying.

The 57-year-old former Panathinaikos FC and PAOK FC trainer revitalised Cyprus's fortunes after succeeding Momčilo Vukotić in December 2004, leading the team to notable home wins against the Republic of Ireland (5-2), Wales (3-1) and Bulgaria (4-1), plus an eye-catching 1-1 draw with Germany.

However, Cyprus are struggling to make an impression in Group H having amassed just two points from four matches, prompting the Cyprus Football Association (KOP/CFA) to seek a change.

"Following a board meeting, it was decided that the cooperation between the CFA and Angelos Anastasiadis would be terminated with immediate effect," read a KOP/CFA statement. "It is the CFA's position that the replacement coach must have sufficient time to assess and prepare the team ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign in 2014."

Anastasiadis said: "We worked hard all these years but in the end we didn't get the results that we wanted and, unfortunately, it's results that matter in the end."

Cyprus are not in action again until August, when they play Moldova in a friendly. Their next qualifer is on 2 September at home to Portugal, with whom they drew 4-4 earlier in the campaign.