Unconvincing PAOK see off Asteras Tripolis in season opener
Unconvincing PAOK see off Asteras Tripolis in season opener
GREEK SUPERLEAGUE - MATCHDAY 17
PAOK opened their 2018/19 SuperLeague season with a narrow 1-0 home win over Asteras Tripolis at the Toumba on Saturday thanks to a penalty from striker Aleksandar Prijovic.
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The Serbian marksman slotted home after 58 minutes after winning the spot-kick, and it was a much-needed strike in what proved to be an uninspiring display from Razvan Lucescu’s men following their summer exploits in Europe.
PAOK, who are on the cusp of reaching the Champions League group stages for the first time in the clubs’ history, produced a lacklustre performance on their Toumba domestic bow, but Lucescu will be happy with the result.
Chances were scare in a scrappy first half, and PAOK were thankful when Prijovic was awarded a penalty 13 minutes into the second half when he went down under a challenge from Asteras goalkeeper Nikos Papadopoulos.
Replays showed that the penalty decision was a soft one with Prijovic going to ground just before Papadopoulos actually made contact with him. Prijovic though, dusted himself down to score from 12 yards and give PAOK the crucial breakthrough.
Although their rarely threatened in the opening 45 minutes, Tripolis had two golden chances to equalise after Prijovic’s goal, but on both occasions defender Konstantinos Triantafyllopoulos missed the target with headers.
That enabled PAOK to hold on for a priceless opening three-point haul to keep the positive momentum going into next week’s crucial Champions League playoff second leg encounter with Portuguese giants Benfica.
The Salonica club earned a solid 1-1 draw last week, and will be confident that they can finish the job on home turf at the Toumba to take their place among Europe’s elite come September when the group stage kicks off.
by Graham Wood
Image Source: onsports.gr
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