Aris stop the rot at Apollon
GREEK SUPERLEAGUE - MATCHDAY 10
| Apollon Smyrnis | 1 - 2 | Aris |
|---|---|---|
| Gama 45' |
Garcia 1' Gama 69' |
Aris ended a rotten run of four successive defeats by claiming a hard-fought 2-1 away victory over Apollon Smyrnis on Monday in the final fixture of Matchday 10.
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In their first match without recently departed coach Paco Herrera, goals from Mateo Garcia and Bruno Gama gave Aris the win their so desperately needed, with Panagiotis Triadis on target for the hosts, who lost for the eighth time in 10 matches.
The result moves Aris level on 15 points with sixth-placed Panathinaikos, while Apollon remain cut adrift at the bottom with just one solitary point to show for their efforts so far.
Aris got a dream start at the Georgios Kamaras Stadium with the opening goal after just 19 seconds. Portuguese forward Bruno Gama fired in a shot which was saved by Huanderson, but the ball fell nicely for Garcia to rifle home the rebound.
The goal did much to settle Aris nerves and the Thessaloniki side dominated proceedings for long spells, although there was no significant goalmouth action up until right before half-time, when the hosts woke from their slumbers and got back on level terms.
Egyptian forward Shikabala was at the centre of Apollon’s threats as the half drew to a close and it was his free-kick which was met by Michalis Kyrgias, and although Aris keeper Julián Cuesta kept out the header, Triadis rammed home the rebound to make it 1-1.
Aris continued to apply pressure on the home side in the second half, however, and they were rewarded with a winning goal after 69 minutes when Nicolas Diguiny’s superb pass set up Bruno Gama with a simple finish.
HIGHLIGHTS: APOLLON SMYRNIS - ARIS
