Late Vukovic header breaks Atromitos resistance
Late Vukovic header breaks Atromitos resistance
GREEK SUPERLEAGUE - MATCHDAY 11
Jagos Vukovic headed in a winning goal in the third minute of added time as Olympiacos came from a goal behind to overcome 10-man Atromitos 2-1 in a dramatic finish to an entertaining Superleague clash in Peristeri on Sunday.
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It seemed that Atromitos and Olympiacos could not be separated as their Matchday 11 showdown seemed to be heading for a 1-1 draw, despite the home side playing for over half-an hour with 10 players after Azer Bušuladžić was sent-off.
Bušuladžić played a key role in the opening goal as it was his shot that was saved by Olympiacos goalkeeper Jose Sa, only for Efthymis Koulouris to slot home the rebound to give Atromitos a 1-0 lead at half-time.
Olympiacos responded immediately at the start of the second half with Mady Kamara levelling the match with a close-range strike, and Atromitos’ task was made tougher in the 57th minute when Bušuladžić was given his marching orders.
And as the Thrylos piled on the pressure in the closing stage, the home side’s defence was finally unlocked by Kostas Fortounis’ free-kick with Vukovic heading home to clinch a late, late win.
It’s a result which keeps Olympiacos’ title hopes alive, as they are now just six points behind leaders PAOK. Atromitos stay second just one point ahead of third-placed Olympiacos.
A frantic first half saw both sets of players in the mood to attack, and there was a decent early chance for Olympiacos. However, Kamara blazed over from a great position.
As the half wore on the home side began to get a foothold and started to apply some considerable pressure on the visiting goal, and the crucial breakthrough came in the 43rd minute.
The impressive Bušuladžić, who was proving to be a thorn in Olympiacos’ side, found some space to fire in shot which Sa blocked well. But the ball ran kindly for Koulouris who gleefully slotted home to make it 1-0.
That gave the hosts the lead at the break, but Olympiacos came out with all guns blazing in the second half and they were level just four minutes in when Kamara side-footed home after some good build-up play.
Olympiacos were then handed the advantage when a moment of madness in the 57th minute saw Bušuladžić dismissed for collecting a second booking for a needless foul on Fortounis.
And sure enough the visitors started to enjoy more position and attack the home goal with much greater frequency. However, it was Atromitos who next came close to scoring in the 62nd minute. Koulouris, on a fast counter attack, missed a golden chance to make it 2-1 when he poked the rebound just wide after Jose Sa had parried Madson’s long-range effort.
Two minutes later and Olympiacos’ Brazilian midfielder Guilherme then stung the palms of Atromitos keeper Balázs Megyeri, who brilliantly beat away the 27-year-old’s powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Dimitris Manos had a great chance to win it for Olympiacos with five minutes left but his touch was too heavy as he controlled a pass from Fortounis and as a result his shot was blocked for a corner.
Just when it seemed the match would end in a draw, a Fortounis’ free-kick was flicked on by Kamara and Vukovic was at the back post to nod the ball back across Megyeri and into the net to spark wild celebrations among the Olympiacos players.
by Graham Wood
Image Source: to10.gr
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