OR AEK had a bad first half against OFIsaw two of her goals disallowed in every 45 minutes, but when she “woke up” in the replay, she also reached victory (0-1) with Orbelin Pineda’s goal. Great tackles from the home keeper, Lilo.
With this victory, AEK climbed to 22 points and maintained its contact with the top of the standings, while OFI remained in the last places (6 points) and +1 from the bottom, Panserraikos.
The match…
Without pressing too much, AEK had the upper hand against OFI at the start of the game, closing in on the opposition frames, playing mainly from the wings, with Penraish, Gacinovic and Koita.
OFI saw Brigadier Foudas face an early problem (turned his fingers falling, after a tackle) and found himself in a position of defense early on. AEK pressed and saw the goal they scored in the 12th minute with Joao Mario disallowed for an offensive foul by the Portuguese (VAR agreed with Tsakalides that there was a foul). The “yellow and black” shouted for the cancellation of the goal!
Until the 30th minute, AEK had… the upper hand in the match, without seriously threatening the opponent’s goal (Koita’s shots did not cause a problem to the goalkeeper, Lilo). OFI increased its intensity and made it difficult for the visitors, forcing them into consecutive mistakes. The Union took the offensive initiative again after a while, but again could not create much of a chance in the rest of the first half.
AEK entered the replay aggressively, shutting down OFI in the defensive half of the field. In the 57th minute, Koita could not beat Lilo, from a 4-on-4 position. From the resulting corner, Union scored with Jovic’s header, but this goal was also disallowed for an offensive foul by Mukudi on Karachalio.
AEK had raised “speeds” and proceeded with their first changes (Kaloskamis and Marin out, Piero and Mandalos in). Huge missed opportunities by the “yellow and black” followed. In the 67th minute Joao Mario crossed to Pineda who stepped into the area, the Mexican unable to square Lillo, as did Piero, with Penrais then taking the rebound and shooting over the bodies. In the 69th minute, after a vertical shot by Gacinovic, the ball was countered and passed to Piero, who was unable to beat Lillo in a four-on-four. OFI’s keeper almost saved… with string!
Finally, “redemption” for AEK came in the 74th minute, with Pinedas. The “yellow and black” exchanged the ball beautifully outside the area, the Mexican gave it to Piero who gave him the ball again and with a nice placement he sent it into the net for 0-1.
OFI and AEK made changes until the end of the match, with the Cretans unable to threaten Strakosa’s home goal and Union having a great moment in the 88th minute. Mandalos caught a great spot from the sideline, but Lillo pushed to his left “c” with one hand. In the last good moment of the match (90+4′) Grujic caught a close header and sent the ball out.
Referee: Tsakalides
Assistants: Petropoulos, Kollias
4th: Drakidis
VAR: Tzilos, Bekiaris