Masouras fires Panionios to victory against Xanthi
Masouras fires Panionios to victory against Xanthi
GREEK SUPERLEAGUE - MATCHDAY 10
Xanthi’s charge towards the top three of the Super League came to a sharp halt on Saturday, as the club lost 0:1 to Panionios at home.
Having won the past five Super League matches in a row, Xanthi were favourites to beat inconsistent Panionios at their home arena, however the visitors sprung a surprise to claim a 1:0 victory thanks to Giorgos Masouras’ goal after 36 minutes of play. Portuguese defender Dinis Almeida was handed a second yellow card in the latter stages to add salt to the Xanthi wound.
In an entertaining start to proceedings, Sofiane Khadda slid his shot wide when clean through for Xanthi, before Panionios’ Sotiris Tsiloulis was denied by a brilliant save. Masouras then clipped the crossbar for Panionios with a powerful header, and on the ensuing rebound, Fiorin Durmishaj thumped a strong attempt against the goalkeeper.
Panionios eventually broke the deadlock on 36 minutes. 24-year old Masouras, who has just received his maiden call-up to the Greek national team, collected the ball after a sharp Panionios counterattack, cut to a shooting position and whipped his cutting effort beyond stricken Xanthi goalkeeper Zivko Zivkovic.
In the second half, Xanthi pushed for an equaliser, but the closest they got was a curling shot from Matias Castro which flew inches wide of the left post. With only 13 minutes remaining, Xanthi defender Almeida contrived to earn his second yellow card, in turn sealing Xanthi’s fate and a vital victory for Panionios.
Xanthi stay in fourth position of the Super League with 18 points, but AEK can overtake them with a victory against Atromitos on Sunday. Panionios temporarily rise to seventh.
HIGHLIGHTS: XANTHI - PANIONIOS
by Shaun Nicolaides
Image Source: sdna.gr
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