The Greek Zidane!

This past Monday we took on Pas Giannina at home looking for a much-needed three points before the Christmas break. We had a chance to jump into second place with a win after Panathinaiko tied Larissa 0-0 on Sunday. Once again, sadly enough the stadium looked empty, something that really has to change.

Nonetheless the match started with some frantic action, something that we haven’t seen in a couple of games. In the 6th minute Pekart forced an early save from Peristeridi, a good positive start from AEK. Just two minutes after Jario went through on goal after some lazy defending forcing a great spreading save from Barkas keeping the score at 0-0.

In the 10th minute there was a moment of sheer madness in the OAKA. After committing a poor foul Aravidi would head but the PAS player who got up and was face to face our fiery winger. Aravidi was rightfully shown a red card, what a stupid thing to do especially in the 10th minute. The Greek Zidane at the OAKA! AEK was now left with 10 men for the final 80 or so minutes of the game.

Just two minutes after the incident Johansson had a chance after a clever cut back, however he didn’t connect properly and hit the ball into the ground. We would have a penalty claim in the 25th minute after Mantalo was pulled down in the box. However in the 31st minute we were awarded a penalty after a great run by Papito, who seemed the best player on the field by far. Mantalo would step up and hit the woodwork; the score somehow still remained 0-0 at the half. Even with 10 men PAS wasn’t creating anything appealing to our goal, we were playing quite well just looking for that all important goal.

In the second half the first chance came in the 61st minute after a weak effort ended up harmlessly in Barkas’ hands. Just a minute after Pekart forced another save from the PAS number one. The chances then started come thick and thin. In the 64th minute PAS had another chance but Kozoronis would volley over the bar.

In the 67th minute we would open up the scoring through Pekart who honestly played very well and deserved a goal. The way he got it was quite odd. The goalie was trying to save the ball from going out for a corner when he spilled it right in front of his goal where Galo nipped in and presented one hell of an early Christmas present to Pekart who simply tapped it in from inches away.

In the 81st minute we were looking for that all important second goal. Pekart played Lazaro in beautifully but somehow the defender caught up to him and prevented him from dispatching a clean effort. At this point PAS has gone full attacking looking the try and steal something at the end.

PAS would score off a set piece, however it was rightfully ruled out for offside. Late drama at the OAKA. The drama would continue and in practically the last kick of the game PAS would find the equalizer after an effort from a corner hit the post and fell to the feet of Maboulou who tapped in from an offside position. He was clearly offside, how are you not offside if you are picking the goalkeeper and the ball hits the post? He was a body’s length offside. The game would 1-1 a very disappointing result for AEK, yet again.

They simply don’t want us to be happy during the holidays. We find ourselves in 5th place after this result. We have to compose ourselves and come back stronger then ever when the league resumes in the New Year.