RSS
ATOM
advertisement
Ten-Man Olympiakos Cruise In Thessaloniki
Ernesto Valverde’s Olympiakos stayed top of the Greek Super League with a comfortable 3-0 victory over struggling Iraklis in Thessaloniki.
| Bet: | Returns: | Rubin £18.00 | Draw £32.50 | Olympiakos £42.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Rubin £18.30 | Draw £32.00 | Olympiakos £38.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Rubin £18.33 | Draw £33.00 | Olympiakos £43.33 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Rubin £19.10 | Draw £34.00 | Olympiakos £40.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Rubin £18.90 | Draw £32.50 | Olympiakos £38.00 |
|
Nov 22, 2008 6:53:00 PM
First-half goals from Predrag Djordjevic and Fernando Belluschi put the Piraeus side in a strong position from which to collect all three points, though a red card issued to Christos Patsatzoglou on the stroke of half-time ensured a nervy spell, before the defending champions went on to record an expected win.
First Half
It was the hosts who came closest to opening the scoring after just twelves minutes of play, when Paraskevas Antzas could only half head-clear a ball into the area.
Former AEK midfielder Panagiotis Kone strained get power behind a headed effort at goal and his attempt forced an uncomfortable save from veteran ‘keeper Antonis Nikopolidis, who was fortunate to see former teammate Michalis Konstantinou hit the post from a tight angle on the rebound.
Only four minutes later and Olympiakos also hit the woodwork, as Djordjevic’s corner eventually fell to former CSKA Moscow midfielder Dudu Cearense, who struck Kowalewski’s left upright before the Polish ‘keeper recovered to save sharply from Padopoulos subsequent effort.
Diogo should have given the defending champions the lead on 26 minutes, showcasing his aerial ability when he rose to meet Belluschi’s clipped delivery before heading wide from close range.
With Iraklis willing to test Nikopolidis from long-range despite an inability to break down their opponents and Olympiakos finding space in wide areas, an increasingly open and entertaining affair was beginning to materialize in Thessaloniki.
It was only a matter of time before either side found the back of the net and it was Ernesto Valverde’s men who did so in the 34th minute thanks to a magnificent volley by club legend Predrag Djordjevic, whose effort swerved inside Kowalewski’s left post after a Pantos had produced a perfectly weighted cross from the right of the area.
The Piraeus side doubled its lead just five minutes later thanks to another volley, this time by Argentine midfielder Fernando Belluschi.
Greece international Christos Patsatzoglou started the move after releasing Diogo down the left flank, with the Brazilian reaching the by-line before producing a low cross that was volleyed home from close-range.
Iraklis produced a spirited fight-back after conceding for a second time, almost immediately pulling a goal-back through Cyprus international Konstantinou, who saw his point-blank header saved by Nikopolidis at a tight angle following a Papasterianos free-kick into the box.
Any suggestions of a comfortable Olympiakos were similarly scrapped on the stroke of half-time, when Patsatzoglou was shown a second yellow card for an awful challenge on Iraklis captain Anastasios Katsambis.
Referee Kyrios Vassaras was left with no choice but to send off the Olympiakos midfielder after he caught Katsambis on the knee with his studs after raising his boot, leaving the defender writhing in pain as he repeatedly apologized for his challenge.
Second Half
With Katsambis forced off through injury, Iraklis returned to the pitch galvanized by their opponent’s numerical disadvantage, almost reducing the deficit after just two minutes.
Panagiotis Kone showed encouraging determination to meet a corner at the back-post, heading weakly into the ground but forcing a sharp save from Nikopolidis.
Konstantinou then wasted a wonderful chance on 62 minutes after Christos Bourbos had outpaced Djordjevic on the right before producing a superb cross into the area.
The ball cleared the head of Avraam Papadopoulos and found an unmarked Konstantinou with only Nikopolidis to beat but the former Olympiakos striker couldn’t get enough contact on the ball to send it goal-wards.
However, the suggested Iraklis revival never quite materialized and the three points were sealed for Olympiakos by a superb strike by Dudu in the 81st minute, the Brazilian producing a driven effort from well outside the area that flew past Kowalewski and into the top right hand-corner of the net.
Iraklis 0
Olympiakos 3 (Djordjevic 34’, Belluschi 39’, Dudu 81’)
Line-ups:
Iraklis: Kowalewski, Bourbos, Perperidis, Katsambis (46’ Martos), Papazacharias, Foufoulas, Die, Kone (58’ Epstein), Marques, Papasterianos (80’ Giantsis), Konstantinou
Olympiakos: Nikopolidis, Pantos, Domi, A. Papadopoulos, Antzas, Patsatzoglou, Dudu, Galletti (84’ Oscar), Djordjevic, Diogo (77’ Diogo), Belluschi (69’ Mendrinos)
Chris Paraskevas
First Half
It was the hosts who came closest to opening the scoring after just twelves minutes of play, when Paraskevas Antzas could only half head-clear a ball into the area.
Former AEK midfielder Panagiotis Kone strained get power behind a headed effort at goal and his attempt forced an uncomfortable save from veteran ‘keeper Antonis Nikopolidis, who was fortunate to see former teammate Michalis Konstantinou hit the post from a tight angle on the rebound.
Only four minutes later and Olympiakos also hit the woodwork, as Djordjevic’s corner eventually fell to former CSKA Moscow midfielder Dudu Cearense, who struck Kowalewski’s left upright before the Polish ‘keeper recovered to save sharply from Padopoulos subsequent effort.
Diogo should have given the defending champions the lead on 26 minutes, showcasing his aerial ability when he rose to meet Belluschi’s clipped delivery before heading wide from close range.
With Iraklis willing to test Nikopolidis from long-range despite an inability to break down their opponents and Olympiakos finding space in wide areas, an increasingly open and entertaining affair was beginning to materialize in Thessaloniki.
It was only a matter of time before either side found the back of the net and it was Ernesto Valverde’s men who did so in the 34th minute thanks to a magnificent volley by club legend Predrag Djordjevic, whose effort swerved inside Kowalewski’s left post after a Pantos had produced a perfectly weighted cross from the right of the area.
The Piraeus side doubled its lead just five minutes later thanks to another volley, this time by Argentine midfielder Fernando Belluschi.
Greece international Christos Patsatzoglou started the move after releasing Diogo down the left flank, with the Brazilian reaching the by-line before producing a low cross that was volleyed home from close-range.
Iraklis produced a spirited fight-back after conceding for a second time, almost immediately pulling a goal-back through Cyprus international Konstantinou, who saw his point-blank header saved by Nikopolidis at a tight angle following a Papasterianos free-kick into the box.
Any suggestions of a comfortable Olympiakos were similarly scrapped on the stroke of half-time, when Patsatzoglou was shown a second yellow card for an awful challenge on Iraklis captain Anastasios Katsambis.
Referee Kyrios Vassaras was left with no choice but to send off the Olympiakos midfielder after he caught Katsambis on the knee with his studs after raising his boot, leaving the defender writhing in pain as he repeatedly apologized for his challenge.
Second Half
With Katsambis forced off through injury, Iraklis returned to the pitch galvanized by their opponent’s numerical disadvantage, almost reducing the deficit after just two minutes.
Panagiotis Kone showed encouraging determination to meet a corner at the back-post, heading weakly into the ground but forcing a sharp save from Nikopolidis.
Konstantinou then wasted a wonderful chance on 62 minutes after Christos Bourbos had outpaced Djordjevic on the right before producing a superb cross into the area.
The ball cleared the head of Avraam Papadopoulos and found an unmarked Konstantinou with only Nikopolidis to beat but the former Olympiakos striker couldn’t get enough contact on the ball to send it goal-wards.
However, the suggested Iraklis revival never quite materialized and the three points were sealed for Olympiakos by a superb strike by Dudu in the 81st minute, the Brazilian producing a driven effort from well outside the area that flew past Kowalewski and into the top right hand-corner of the net.
Iraklis 0
Olympiakos 3 (Djordjevic 34’, Belluschi 39’, Dudu 81’)
Line-ups:
Iraklis: Kowalewski, Bourbos, Perperidis, Katsambis (46’ Martos), Papazacharias, Foufoulas, Die, Kone (58’ Epstein), Marques, Papasterianos (80’ Giantsis), Konstantinou
Olympiakos: Nikopolidis, Pantos, Domi, A. Papadopoulos, Antzas, Patsatzoglou, Dudu, Galletti (84’ Oscar), Djordjevic, Diogo (77’ Diogo), Belluschi (69’ Mendrinos)
Chris Paraskevas
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
|
Advertisement
Inside Goal.Com
-
Capello-Terry debacle won't be the last FA scandal
Keir Radnedge takes a trip down memory lane and concludes that the FA will continue to frustrate friend and foe alike following the England manager's resignation
-
Player Ratings: Osasuna 3-2 Barcelona
Goal.com rates the players on show as Pep Guardiola's side suffer another away set back in La Liga at the hands of Jose Luis Mendilibar's men
-
Player Ratings: Udinese 1-2 AC Milan
Substitute Maxi Lopez provided a winning cameo to lift Allegri's men to a comeback win just when it appeared they'd lose second spot to the Zebrette
-
Player Ratings: Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool
Wayne Rooney double sends hosts top as Luis Suarez scores at Old Trafford after snubbing Evra handshake
-
Should 'Vanishing Spray' be introduced globally?
The spray, which has been designed to stop defensive walls from encroaching closer than 10 yards to the ball at free-kicks, is set to be discussed at next month's IFAB meeting
Advertisement
Advertisement
