Xanthi, Asteras both held
Xanthi, Asteras both held
SUPER LEAGUE PLAYOUTS - MATCHDAY 3
Panetolikos claimed an important point at Xanthi with a 1-1 draw in the Super League playouts, while the battle between Asteras and Atromitos in Tripoli also ended level with the same score.
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At home, Xanthi missed a perfect chance to leapfrog Panetolikos into sixth place of the playout table, playing to a 1-1 draw. Xanthi do, however, have a game in hand over Panetolikos, who are currently two points ahead.
Xanthi flew out of the blocks with all guns blazing. Within the opening 30 seconds of play, Petar Djurickovic should have scored as he contrived to slot wide from a great position, before Jean Barrientos twice went close when escaping the Panetolikos defence.
As the first half progressed, Xanthi continued pressing, as Aleksandar Kovacevic and William were both denied by smart saves. The latter also curled a low shot past the right post when beating his opponents for speed.
Xanthi missed their best chance of the lot on the brink of the break.
After Alexandros Malis had felled Matias Castro inside the box, Xanthi had an ideal opportunity to score from the spot, but the Argentine was denied by Jesus Fernandez after brushing himself down.
Panetolikos’ only real chance of the first stanza saw Abiola Dauda stopped by Carlos Abad from a tight angle. Nevertheless, the Agrinio outfit passed up a glorious chance to score at the start of the second, as Angelos Tsingaras fired into Abad following a defensive error.
A miss which cost Panetolikos dear.
Following a Video Assistant Referee review, Dalcio was adjudged to have tripped William inside the penalty area, and Djurickovic subsequently whipped the ensuing spot-kick into the left corner by sending Fernandez the wrong way with 28 minutes remaining.
However, matters soon took a turn for the worse for Xanthi, as Castro received a straight red card for an aggressive challenge against Fernandez.
In truth, Panetolikos barely threatened against the 10 men of Xanthi, but they conjured up an equaliser in the 83rd minute after a foul by Christos Lisgaras.
Substitute Admir Bajrovic took full advantage of the chance for Panetolikos by curling a fantastic free kick beyond the stranded Abad.
In the closing stages, Xanthi threw everything at Panetolikos in desperation, but the gritty visitors managed to hold on. Fabio Sturgeon came the closest to grabbing a winner for Xanthi as his effort was somehow saved by the impressive Fernandez.
On Wednesday, Xanthi will host Atromitos in their postponed match, while Panetolikos will now prepare to play against Asteras Tripolis at home next week.
In Tripoli, Asteras were kept at bay by Atromitos and Christos Mandas, missing good chances during the second half of a 1-1 draw.
Initially, Atromitos made the brighter start against their hosts, but Asteras broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute as Triantafyllos Pasalidis prodded a free kick past Mandas.
Atromitos tallied an equaliser just 12 minutes later, though, with Spyros Risvanis heading Rodrigo Galo’s set piece in.
Competing with the initiative throughout the second half, Asteras looked the more likely team to snatch a winning goal, but 18-year-old Mandas refused to be beaten again. Christos Tasoudis notably smacked the left post for Asteras.
As a result of this draw, Asteras hold a slender one-point advantage over Atromitos in first position of the playouts, but the latter will play against Xanthi on Wednesday in their game in hand. Asteras will next play against Panetolikos on June 28.
by Shaun Nicolaides
Image Source: sport-fm.gr
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