Lifeline for Panionios, Late drama in Xanthi
SUPER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 21
Panionios recorded a vital 1-0 win over Atromitos in their effort to avoid the drop while Xanthi fought back late on to salvage a 2-2 draw against OFI.
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Panionios ended their eight-game losing streak on Sunday after defeating Atromitos 1-0 in Nea Smyrni.
The hosts were the better side in the 90 minutes of play and wasted multiple opportunities to open the scoring in the first half. After a goalless 45 minutes, Atromitos showed signs of improvement but only managed to finish the game with three shots on goal.
The difference between the two sides came 14 minutes from the end. From a set play and an attempt to clear the ball, Giorgos Manousos’ header turned into the perfect assist for Dimitris Stavropoulos, who with a header beat Balázs Megyeri to give Panionios the lead.
The hosts held onto their precious advantage through the final whistles and recorded a vital win in their fight to avoid the drop. The result moves Panionios up to nine points, just one point behind 13th-placed Panetolikos (currently playing Aris) while struggling Atromitos are in eighth with 26 points, only one point behind a playoff spot.
HIGHLIGHTS
Xanthi kept their hopes alive for a playoff spot as they dramatically came from behind twice late on against OFI to salvage a 2-2 draw at the Xanthi FC Arena.
With the help of VAR, the visitors were handed a great chance to open the scoring on 27 minutes when a penalty was awarded for a foul on Joao Figueiredo. Juan Neira stepped up to convert the spot-kick and found the back of the net, but the VAR was summoned again and concluded that Neira took two touches on the penalty kick, and the goal was called back.
Despite OFI’s wasted chance, they took the lead ten minutes later when another penalty was awarded in their favor, and this time Figueiredo cooly slotted home from 11 meters.
In the second half, Xanthi took control over possession, but could not find an equalizer. The match, though, sparked in the final ten minutes. Figueiredo missed a fantastic opportunity to put the game away, which was punished four minutes later when Jordan Faucher’s marker from close range leveled the score.
OFI, however, quickly responded, and it was Figueiredo who took advantage of Xanthi’s lapse and added his name to the scoresheet for the second time in the 87th minute. But the late drama did not end there as Xanthi had the last laugh with the same scorer, Faucher, tapping home in the second minute of second-half stoppage time to give Xanthi a valuable point.
The draw keep OFI and Xanthi level on 27 points.
HIGHLIGHTS
