Mantalos inspires AEK to victory against Atromitos
 

GREEK SOCCER CUP - QUARTER FINALS (2nd LEG)

Inspired by captain Petros Mantalos, AEK made short work of Atromitos in the second leg of the Greek Cup quarter-finals, earning a comfortable 3:0 win at the Olympic Stadium to advance 4:0 on aggregate.

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Leading 1:0 from the first leg in Peristeri, AEK were in the box seat for the return at the OAKA, and a superb goal from Ezequiel Ponce in the early stages set them on their way. In the second half, Mantalos then struck twice, sealing the Kitrinomavri’s place in the semi-finals.

THE MATCH

AEK came incredibly close to scoring within the opening minutes. From long range, Rodrigo Galo unleashed a curling free-kick, but Atromitos goalkeeper Christos Theodorakis somehow managed to tip the ball onto the woodwork.

Nevertheless, AEK did score after 11 minutes. Pouncing on a stray Atromitos defensive header, prolific Argentinian striker Ponce took aim from the edge of the penalty area, thumping a fierce half-volley into the left corner past the despairing five of Theodorakis.

Requiring goals, Atromitos increased the intensity as the game progressed, with Spyros Risvanis heading into Vasilis Barkas’ grasp and Efthymis Koulouris thumping a stinging drive over the bar.

On the brink of half-time, AEK should have doubled their advantage, but Croatian striker Marko Livaja contrived to smack the right post when receiving a pinpoint pass from the lively Galo.

AEK practically killed the tie six minutes into the second half. After a poor Atromitos throw-in, Alef and Livaja found the onrushing Mantalos, who neatly poked the ball beyond Theodorakis’ left arm.

Moments later, Mantalos almost scored his second within a matter of minutes, stroking his low shot against the left post when completely unmarked.

Atromitos were shaky at the back, but at the other end, they should have got on the board. When beating the emerging Barkas to the ball, Clarck N’Sikulu had the chance to score into the empty net, however the 26-year-old contrived to shoot wide.

The away side were subsequently made to pay for that miss. Boasting too much skill for the struggling Atromitos defence, Livaja beat his markers to pick out the lurking Mantalos in the box, and the latter calmly slotted in his second of the day to complete the emphatic win.

This is the fourth successive season when AEK have at least made the semi-finals of the Greek Cup.

THE TEAMS

AEK: Barkas, Galo, Cosic (Svarnas 81’), Oikonomou, Bakakis, Simoes (Krsticic 75’), Alef, Bakasetas, Mantalos, Livaja (Boye 84’), Ponce.

Atromitos: Theodorakis, Chatziisaias (Katranis 46’), Risvanis, Karasalidis (Stroungis 73’), Busuladzic, Vasilakakis, Sakic, Bruno, Warda (Manousos 75’), N’Sikulu, Koulouris.

HIGHLIGHTS: AEK - ATROMITOS

by Shaun Nicolaides

Image Source: gazzetta.gr

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