Koulouris double fires Atromitos to victory
GREEK SUPERLEAGUE - MATCHDAY 7
| Atromitos | 3 - 2 | Asteras Tripolis |
|---|---|---|
| Koulouris 42',88' Munafo (OG) 61' | Valiente 57' Manias 64' |
Atromitos continued their superb unbeaten SuperLeague form on Monday as their absorbing home clash with Asteras Tripolis ended in a dramatic 3-2 win at the Peristeri Municipal Stadium.
Damir Canadi’s team twice lead through Efthymis Koulouris’ penalty and an own goal from Juan Munafo, but Asteras pegged the home side back on two occasions thanks to Jose Luis Valiente and Michalis Manias.
Greece Under-21 forward Koulouris, however, refused to let the match slip to a draw and struck two minutes from time with an opportunist goal to win it for the home side with his sixth league goal of the season.
Atromitos were also reduced to 10 players in the dying minutes when Brazilian defender Madson received a second booking.
The result moves Atromitos level on 19 points with leaders PAOK, but in second place on goal difference, while Asteras remain in 14th spot - a position which is very much at odds with their quality.
The flurry of goals came as somewhat of a surprise in this matchday 7 showdown given the fact that Atromitos had only conceded once in their previous six matches, boasting the best defence in the league.
But it was clear from the outset that there would be goals in this game as both sides sought to attack at every opportunity.
Atromitos went ahead from the penalty spot after Koulouris cooly slotted home from 12 yards in the 43rd minute after having been fouled by Asteras goalkeeper Giorgos Athanasiadis.
Asteras did not panic, however, and played their way back into the game after half-time, eventually pulling level in the 57th minute when Valiente let fly with a stunning long range shot which flew into the top corner.
That was the first goal that Atromitos had conceded in Perasteri this season, and the hosts’ response was swift four minutes later when Dimitris Giannoulis’ dangerous free-kick was headed past his own goalkeeper by Asteras defender Munafo.
Asteras did not give up the ghost though and they breached the Atromitos rearguard again after 64 minutes, Manias heading home following a corner with the home defence at sixes and sevens.
It looked like that would be it, but then Koulouris won it for Atromitos when he was on hand to head home the rebound from close range after an Umbides’ free-kick was saved onto the bar by Athanasiadis.
HIGHLIGHTS: ATROMITOS - ASTERAS TRIPOLIS
