AEK Athens 3-0 Vaslui (4-2 agg.): Scocco Double Inspires Greeks

A Nacho Scocco double inspired AEK Athens as the Greek club ensured its place in the Europa League Group Stages with a 3-0 win over Romanian outfit Vaslui at the OAKA Spiros Louis Stadium in Athens.

AEK were trailing 2-1 after a poor showing in the first leg in Romania and were frustrated during the first half of their second leg.

However, Brazilian Gustavo Manduca broke the deadlock in the second period and laid the foundation for AEK’s first competitive win of the season, which will come as a huge relief to the club in light of their well-documented financial troubles.

Returning to the starting line-up after missing the first leg entirely, veteran midfielder Pantelis Kafes had the first real chance to open the scoring for the home side on 17 minutes.

Silviu Balace failed to clear an awkward centre from Argentine Nacho Scoco, the ball falling kindly to Kafes on the edge of the area.

Appearin set to score, the former Olympiakos player mistimed his shot and saw it blocked desperately by a crowd of bodies from close range.

The prolific Ismael Blanco missed opportunities on either side of the half before AEK finally broke the deadlock, much to the relief of Serbian manager Dusan Bajevic.

The apprehension disappeared off the solemn face of the wily tactician as Gustavo Manduca sent a thumping header past Dusan Kuciak on 59 minutes.

Timing his run into the penalty box to perfection, the Brazilian left the Slovak ‘keeper little chance from close range as he met the cross of new signing Carlos Araujo.

Any suggestions of an ensuing walk-over by the home team were almost dispelled on 73 minutes though, as Vaslui came close to a stunning equalizer.

Substitute Raul Costin let fly with a driven free-kick from range that seemed destined for the top-right hand corner of the net, Argentine ‘keeper Sebastian Saja responding with an outstanding save and tipping the ball around the post.

Ironically it was from that very same corner that AEK would grab a crucial second goal, Ismael Blanco lumping the ball up-field after it was cleared from the penalty box.

Scocco showed good strength to shrug off the challenge of Bodgan Buhus, entering the penalty area with only Kuciak to beat.

Showing the characteristic creativity and improvisation that has established him as a fan favourite with AEK fans after just one season, the former Pumas man scooped the ball over the ‘keeper and under the crossbar to make it 2-0.

Any chance of Vaslui taking the game into extra-time with a late goal was then scuppered when the Argentine collected a pass from Araujo just outside the area before taking a few steps and arrowing the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

Chris Paraskevas, Goal.com