Ponce heads AEK to victory
Ponce heads AEK to victory
GREEK SUPERLEAGUE - MATCHDAY 15
AEK continued their superb new year form with a 1-0 home win over Levadiakos on Wednesday, with Marinos Ouzounidis’ side chalking up a fourth successive win since returning to action following the winter break.
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Ezequiel Ponce scored the only goal of the game with a first half header at the Olympic Stadium, and it could have been more for AEK on another successful night at the office for the Kitrinomavri.
In the end, one goal proved enough to seal the three points for AEK, who remain in third place and stay in touch with leaders PAOK and second-placed Olympiacos.
THE MATCH
AEK came into the match in rampant form on the back of three wins with nine goals scored and none conceded, and an expectant OAKA crowd were in the mood for more of the same from the reigning champions.
And the Kitrinomavri completely dominated the first half, monopolising possession and creating problems for the Levadiakos defence.
After a bright start, the hosts finally opened the scoring in the 24th minute through Ponce. The Argentine rose highest in the heart of the Levadiakos penalty area to score with a powerful header following a great cross from Rodrigo Galo.
AEK continued to press for a second goal as the half drew to a close and midfielder Tasos Bakasetas came close with a shot from the edge of the box. The Greece international’s powerful shot was saved well by Bajic, however.
The pace of the game dropped in the second half and chances were few and far between with AEK content to sit on their lead and Levadiakos offering little in the way of an attacking threat at the other end.
On 69 minutes AEK had another chance to make it 2-0 when Ponce rose to meet another cross, this time from right back Michalis Bakakis, but his header sailed wide of the post.
Then it was Bakasetas’ turn to try his luck with a trademark piledriver from long distance with 18 minutes left, but his powerful shot flashed inches wide, and AEK held on comfortably for another vital win.
STARTING LINEUPS
AEK: 1 Barkas (GK) 2 Bakakis, 19 Chygrynsky, 15 Cosic, 23 Hult, 6 Krstičić, 95 Alef, 14 Bakasetas, 12 Galo, 10 Livaja, 22 Ponce
Levadiakos: 19 Bajic (GK), 92 Adilehou, 25 Tsambouris, 14 Panteliadis, 99 Ioannidis, 17 Meleg, 22 Stanojevic, 13 Zisopoulos, 23 Rekhviashvili, 42 Sawadogo, 20 Giakoumakis
by Graham Wood
Image Source: sdna.gr
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