Confident AEK in charge against Lamia
GREEK SOCCER CUP - SEMI-FINAL (LEG 1)
| AEK | 2 - 0 | Lamia |
|---|---|---|
| Ponce 63' Krsticic 90+1' |
AEK took full control of the Greek Cup semi-final against Lamia, claiming a confident 2:0 triumph at the Olympic Stadium with a powerful second half performance.
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During a tight, tense first half, AEK struggled to break down stubborn Lamia, but the Kitrinomavri increased the intensity in the second and secured a two-goal advantage in the tie with superb goals from Ezequiel Ponce and Nenad Krsticic. In the final moments, Lamia almost grabbed a vital away goal in Athens, but Vasilis Barkas displayed incredible reactions to deny Daniel Adejo at point blank range.
THE MATCH
Lamia’s game plan worked a treat in the first half. For all of their pressing, AEK failed to really test the visiting defence, as Lamia did an excellent job of frustrating their opponents.
Towards the end of the opening 45 minutes, Petros Mantalos clipped the top of the crossbar with a chipped effort from distance, before Barkas comfortably fielded a hopeful attempt from Elini Dimoutsos.
A visibly motivated, driven AEK team upped the ante in an impressive second half showing.
Connecting with a looping cross from the right flank, Marko Livaja saw his goalbound header expertly tipped around the post by Lamia goalkeeper Nikos Melissas, and the prolific Ezequiel Ponce’s shot was deflected over by the committed Christos Karipidis.
Ponce made no mistake in the 63rd minute though.
Finding space between the Lamia central defenders, 22-year-old Ponce met Mantalos’ pinpoint cross, confidently heading the ball into the right corner.
Buoyed by that goal, AEK continued pressing Lamia, creating several promising opportunities with the away defence gradually starting to buckle. Krsticic had a shot cleared off the line by Karipidis, Lucas Boye fired wide when showing silky skills, and the Argentinian winger then couldn’t slide the ball under Melissas after bursting clean through.
Nevertheless, the Athenians did tally their second goal in stoppage time. Lashing the ball across from the right wing, Viktor Klonaridis picked out the onrushing Krsticic, who prodded it past the beaten Melissas.
Lamia could, and maybe should, have halved the deficit in the dying seconds. All alone inside the penalty area, Nigerian defender Adejo was sure to score, but Barkas pulled off a stunning save to keep the 2:0 advantage intact.
The second leg will be played in Lamia on April 24.
TEAMS
AEK: Barkas, Bakakis, Cosic, Oikonomou, Galo (Klonaridis 46’), Krsticic (Alef 90+3’), Mantalos, Simoes, Hult, Livaja (Boye 73’), Ponce.
Lamia: Melissas, Vanderson, Karipidis, Adejo, Pliatsikas, Blazic (Piti 70’), Bejarno, Dimoutsos, Tomas (Bertoglio 77’), Karamanos, Barrales (Epstein 56’).
HIGHLIGHTS: AEK - LAMIA
