AEK knock four past sorry Panetolikos
GREEK FOOTBALL CUP - QUARTER FINALS (LEG 1)
AEK comfortably defeated Panetolikos 4-0 inside an empty Olympic Stadium to secure progression to the semi-finals of the Greek Cup.
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Due to AEK receiving a stadium ban for fan trouble against Olympiacos, the game took place inside an empty OAKA, but that made little difference for the Athenian hosts as they cruised to a routine 4-0 triumph against Super League strugglers Panetolikos. Nelson Oliveira scored his first goal since January for AEK, while Nenad Krsticic, the in-form Christos Almpanis and Marko Livaja - with a penalty - also hit the target.
The tie was level at 1-1 following the first leg in Agrinio.
AEK will also host OFI without the support of their fans at the weekend in the Super League.
The Enosi join Olympiacos, PAOK and Aris in the semi-finals of the Greek Cup, with the draw set to be held tomorrow at 11:00 Greek time.
THE MATCH
AEK, already overwhelming favourites to progress, quickly put the tie to bed.
After a cross was whipped in from the left wing, a Panetolikos defender could only head the ball to the lurking Oliveira, who smashed a powerful volley into the left corner.
In the 36th minute, Krsticic well and truly ended the match as a contest, tapping the ball over the line when receiving a clever pass from Petros Mantalos.
Not long after the half-time break, Sergio Araujo came close to adding a third, as he curled a delightful effort wide of the target with the goalkeeper beaten.
Playing on the front foot, AEK continued creating chances with relative ease, and Helder Lopes wastefully lashed the ball out when in space on the left flank.
Despite requiring goals, Panetolikos rarely threatened at the OAKA, however they did come close in the 65th minute as Farley Rosa’s wonderful long-range attempt was turned around the post by Panagiotis Tsintotas.
AEK grabbed their third in the latter stages.
Displaying great skill, Araujo beat his marker and sent a low cross to the far post, where Almpanis successfully connected to score his second in as many games.
There was time for one more AEK goal.
When breaking free in the area, Livaja was tripped by Christopher Knett, and the Croatian star subsequently stepped up to convert the ensuing penalty himself.
THE TEAMS
AEK: Tsintotas, Lopes, Svarnas, Vranjes, Bakakis, Simoes, Krsticic, Livaja, Mantalos (Szymanski 71’), Araujo (Oikonomou 80’), Oliveira (Almpanis 60’).
Panetolikos: Knett, Kevin, Malis, Martial, Sjostedt, Tahar (Alvarez 72’), Tsingaras, Almeida, Fytopoulos (Farley Rosa 64’), Mimito, Bajrovic (Mounier 68’).
HIGHLIGHTS
