SLGR Standings: PAOK back in second as UCL race heats up
PAOK regained second place in the Super League playoffs as the race for UEFA Champions League football continues to intensify, while Panionios moved to within one point of Xanthi with another important victory.
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PLAYOFFS
The thrilling battle for Champions League qualification continues. Hosting Aris at the Olympic Stadium, AEK would have expected to gain their second successive win of the playoffs, but the Kitrinomavri were made to pay for several missed chances as the visitors claimed a 2-2 draw. In the end, the Athens-based club twice had to come from behind to tally a point, as Bruno Gama - from the penalty spot - and Nicolas Martinez hit the target for Aris. Sergio Araujo’s clever goal and Nelson Oliveira’s penalty made sure that AEK avoided defeat.
PAOK seemed to be heading for another disappointing result in the playoffs when Juan Neira opened the scoring for OFI at the Toumba Stadium. However, the Dikefalos tou Vorra produced a determined comeback, equalising through the young Christos Tzolis before Chuba Akpom converted a late penalty. Omar El Kaddouri added gloss to the scoreline with a third marker deep into stoppage time.
As it stands, PAOK are ahead of AEK in second spot of the standings, but only goal difference separates the two sides who are level on 56 points. OFI trail fifth-placed Aris by four points.
On Sunday evening, runaway leaders Olympiacos breezed to a routine 3-0 victory against hated rivals Panathinaikos in Piraeus, as Guilherme, Youssef El Arabi and Cafu all scored excellent goals to power the hosts to derby glory. Boasting a huge 19-point advantage, it’s only a matter of time before Olympiacos are crowned champions, while Panathinaikos appear likely to finish in fourth spot. The Prasini are eight points ahead of Aris and 10 behind AEK.
PLAYOUTS
Panionios are determined to stay in the top tier. Competing with infectious passion and desire, the historic Panthers slayed Lamia 1-0 on the road, with Sotiris Tsiloulis scoring the only goal of the game in the 27th minute. At the moment, Panionios are still bottom of the table, but they are now only one point behind Xanthi. Incidentally, in their next match, Panionios will host Xanthi in Nea Smyrni.
For their part, Xanthi passed up a great opportunity to overtake Panetolikos into 12th, playing to an exciting 1-1 draw against the Agrinio outfit at home. In the second half, Petar Djurickovic’s penalty gave Xanthi the advantage, but Admir Bajrovic’s superb free kick drew Panetolikos level with seven minutes remaining on the clock. Xanthi will move above Panetolikos on Wednesday if they beat Atromitos in their previously postponed match.
In Tripoli, Asteras protected first place of the playout table for the time being against nearest challengers Atromitos, with the two teams cancelling each other out in a 1-1 draw. Elsewhere, AE Larissa earned their maiden playout win at the third time of asking, defeating nine-man Volos NFC 3-1 at home. AEL are three points above Volos in third position of the classification.
Player of the Week: Gabriel Torje (AEL)
The Romanian’s quality came to the fore in Larissa on Monday. On the brink of the break, Torje emphatically got AEL back on level terms, thumping a firm penalty past the opposing goalkeeper. With the game approaching its climax, the 30-year-old winger conjured up a moment of magic for AEL, displaying wonderful skill to beat his opponents and whip an accurate attempt into the net.
Goal of the Week: Youssef El Arabi (Olympiacos)
El Arabi simply can’t stop scoring. For the second time this season, the prolific Moroccan got on the scoresheet in the Derby of the Eternal Enemies, completing a flowing move in the 21st minute with an unstoppable volley. El Arabi has registered 19 goals in 28 Super League appearances for Olympiacos.
