Apollon Smyrnis and AEL through, Panachaiki too strong for Levadiakos
GREEK SOCCER CUP - ROUND 3
| Date | Home Team | Score | Away Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20-Dec-18 | Trikala | 1 - 1 | Apollon Smyrnis |
| 20-Dec-18 | Apollon Pontou | 0 - 3 | Larissa |
| 20-Dec-18 | Panachaiki | 1 - 0 | Levadiakos |
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Super League clubs Apollon Smyrnis and AEL qualified for the Last 16 of the Greek Cup, but Levadiakos exited the competition after a 1:2 loss to Football League contenders Panachaiki.
In one of the day’s early kick-offs, Apollon Smyrnis travelled to Trikala requiring a point to qualify for the Last 16 of the Greek Cup in Group 6 alongside Asteras Tripolis, and they tallied a 1:1 draw to confirm their participation in the next phase. Nine minutes after half time, Trikala took the lead as Dimitris Kapos fired in a low effort from the edge of the area, but Apollon responded seven minutes later with Lebanese forward Hilal El-Helwe notching an equaliser after the Trikala goalkeeper clumsily spilled a cross.
Apollon Smyrnis tallied four points in three matches and finish in second place behind Asteras Tripolis. Trikala (two points) and Apollon Paralimniou (one point) are eliminated.
Yesterday evening, the Group 8 match between Apollon Pontou and AE Larissa was postponed after a power shortage at the Kalamaria Stadium, but the game took place on Thursday evening with AEL running out comfortable 4:0 winners.
It was a winner takes all clash with the two teams level on three points, but Apollon Pontou didn’t help their own cause, as defender Nikiforos Kyrkou inadvertently turned a low cross into his own net after 31 minutes. AEL then doubled their advantage in the dying embers of the first half with Leozinho whacking a loose ball over the line.
With the game practically in the bag, the pace dropped in the second half, and AEL put the gloss on their win with two more goals from Nikola Zizic and Vangelis Nousios. AEL qualify with six points, trailing Group 8 winners Panionios by three points. Apollon Pontou (three points) and Irodotos (zero points) bring up the rear.
Over in Group 5, Panachaiki managed to knock Levadiakos out of the Greek Cup, triumphing 2:1 at home to steal a Last 16 ticket.
Visibly pumped up, the Patras club made a fast start at the Kostas Davourlis Stadium, breaking the deadlock after nine minutes as Panagiotis Kynigopoulos headed a floating cross into the left corner. Midway through the second half, fellow forward Panagiotis Moraitis put the game out of reach, sending a deflected attempt over the despairing dive of the Levadiakos goalkeeper.
Serbian striker Marko Markovski halved the deficit for Levadiakos on 77 minutes, but it made little difference as Panachaiki held on to win 2:1 and they join Olympiacos in the Last 16 from Group 5 with six points in three games. Levadiakos (three points) and Aris Avato (zero points) will not play any further part in the tournament.
