Apollon Smyrnis closing in on Super League return
Apollon Smyrnis closing in on Super League return
Apollon Smyrnis took a big step towards the Super League with a 1-0 away victory against Xanthi in the first leg of the relegation/promotion playoff.
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The Rizoupoli-based club are close to achieving their return to the top flight. Dominant throughout, Apollon Smyrnis deservedly managed to beat a crisis-stricken Xanthi on the road, as Thomas scored the only goal midway through the second half with a penalty. The second leg will take place at the Georgios Kamaras Stadium on August 29.
With only three minutes on the clock, Emmanouil Patralis was presented with a glorious opportunity to immediately put Apollon Smyrnis in the box seat, but he contrived to fire his effort into the opposing goalkeeper when clean through.
Apollon missed an even better chance on the brink of the half-time break.
At point blank range, Israel Coll looked sure to score, however he was somehow denied by a stunning save from Vitor Sao Bento. Nikos Ioannidis subsequently struck the left post for Apollon Smyrnis at the start of the second stanza as the Super League 2 side dominated.
Nevertheless, in the 67th minute, the visitors did eventually make their superiority count.
Following a cynical foul against Ioannidis in the box, Thomas stepped up to the mark for Xanthi, with the Brazilian calmly slotting the ensuing penalty into the left corner.
Just to make matters worse for Xanthi, Simar Chasanoglou was dismissed with a straight red card in the 84th minute, as the hosts failed to create any meaningful chances to equalise. Apollon Smyrnis will be expected to complete the job in the second match in Athens.
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