AEK 0-0 PAOK

Not a great result, but definitely one we can settle for.

We started off excellently, controlling the game completely, and within the first ten minutes we had two excellent chances to score (one hit the crossbar), but the rain was really coming down and less than twenty minutes into the match the pitch was flooded. Not sure if the pitch just couldn’t take it, or if the rain really was that bad, but I remember some days when I used to go to the stadium (one game against Larissa comes to mind) when the pitch would flood to the point where the ball just wouldn’t roll. Seemed like that was the case on saturday. It was quite unfortunate really since, as I mentioned, we started off quite well and had the conditions been better, I think we could have kept it up.

It was nice to see 20,000 supporters in the stands, despite the rain.

Overall it was a pretty good weekend for us aside from our game as well. Aris beat PAO today, which means we are now even with PAO in the standings (26 points), and its still only 5 points which separate us from a play off spot, something which is quite possible.

Highlights from our game available at the bottom of this link

Kerkyra 0-1 AEK

Believe it or not, we’ve had four wins from our last five games. And we’re only one point behind PAO. And only five behind a playoff spot.

There would’ve been a time when seeing all of this happen would not be a surprise for AEK… if anything, it would be expected. But we all know times are rough, so well done to the team and management for turning things around like this.

I didn’t manage to watch to the Kerkyra game, but I did see our 1-0 win against Panionios two weeks ago, and the quality of the football we were playing was night and day compared to what I saw before the holidays. We managed to control the game, control the tempo, pass with what seemed like little effort, and we created chances.

Considering the situation we’re in, I can definitely say we’re heading in the right direction. Just a few more wins and a playoff spot could very well be ours. How great would it be if we get in the playoffs and not PAO?

We play PAOK this weekend. Not gonna be an easy game, just because these derbies rarely are. But I wouldn’t be surprised if we get the three points. I’m hoping for a decent crowd, and I’m sure regardless of how many supporters are there, the atmosphere will be great.

FORZA AEK!

AEK 2-1 OFI

Petrogol!!

Third game, third goal for him. Looks like hes turning out to be the best signing we’ve made in ages.

As usual, didn’t get to watch the game. Sounds like we were all over Ofi for most of the game, and from what I saw of the highlights, we missed many chances. Ofi, on the other hand, had one real chance all game and managed to score.

We were down 1-0 at half time, and when I heard that, I figured it was game over for us. I just didn’t think the team had it in them to come back from being a goal down to win it, but they did. One goal from Petrogol, and one from Pavlis (a lucky one, but a goal none the less), and a VERY valuable three points. We’re now firmly out of the relegation zone and if things keep going the way they are, we’ll be well away from it by the end of the season.

Things are looking better!

Aris 1-1 AEK

Could’ve been worse! We managed to grab a point after Petrogol scored the equalizer late in extra time (there were about six minutes extra time I believe, a fair time considering there were four red cards given) and now, believe it or not, we’re actually third from last! Still not out of the relegation zone, but we’re slooooooooowly making our way up. All thanks to Petropoulos! (He really is starting to look like the next Libe)

I heard there were some pretty poor calls made by Kakos (surprising? Not at all if you ask me)… I’m really disappointed to see this guy still officiating high level games…

AEK 1-0 Xanthi

Unfortunately, the new year didn’t start off too well, with a 3-1 loss to Tripolis. But thankfully, we managed to grab three points over the weekend thanks to a 1-0 win over Xanthi. The scorer? Petropoulos

Didn’t get to watch the game, sounded like we played quite alright for the most part though, Petropoulos and Mitropoulos specifically receiving quite a bit of praise.

AEK-Kavala Live

Been a while since I posted, but Ive finally finished my exams so I have some time and follow a game from start to finish. Can’t find any TV links right now, looks like radio is all I got, but it’ll do.

So, there have been a few games since my last post. Unfortunately we lost 1-0 to Panthrakikos in the league, I was expecting a better result than that, and it would’ve really helped us in terms of getting out of the relegation zone. Our next league game was a 1-1 draw in Athens against Atromitos, and thankfully we managed to at least get a point. With the first half of the season over, we’re tied with Kerkyra for last place, but its still far from over. Only five points separate us and us and 10th place, so with a bit of luck we can definitely finish the season well above relegation.

We’ve also had a cup game played since my last point, a 0-0 draw against Kavala. Right as I speak the second leg is taking place, this time in Athens. Still 0-0, though were only 20 minutes or so in. Sounds like we’ve had a couple decent chances so hopefully we can get past this (won’t really matter much though, we play Oly next if we advance… and they got pushed a fair bit in their cup game yesterday so I doubt things will be different if we face them).

We’ve also made a couple signings this past week (surprisingly). We managed to get Pavlos Mitropoulos on loan (I believe?) from Panetolikos, as well as Petropoulos from PAO (not gonna lie, Im quite excited about this singing). I can’t comment much on the Mitropoulos move, but Im quite happy about signing Petrogol until 2014. He’s a good player, someone who can definitely add quite a bit to our attack. It would be interesting to see him up front with Pavlis.

GAME UPDATE: Sounds like Kavala just missed a pretty good chance.

EDIT: Managed to find a link for the match. Not working so well for me but I guess its better than nothing.

AEK 0-1 Levadeiakos

Soooo, I was hoping for a better result so we could build some momentum from our 4-0 win last weekend, and unfortunately that didn’t happen… Sounds like it was a similar story to what we had seen the few weeks leading up to the Oly game, good performance from our guys for a while, but we couldn’t keep it going, and one slip up by the keeper let Levadeiakos score the only goal they needed for the 3 points…
Didn’t get to see the game again, feel free to comment if you did though.

Veroia 0-4 AEK!

Beautiful isn’t it? Like my father told me today, before this game we only scored 4 goals all season, now we just scored 4 in one game. Away. With some great goals. And some great support from our supporters that traveled north. Just like the good old days!

For once I wasnt working during the match. Didnt manage to catch a live stream but I did hear some radio commentary at times, and it sounded like we definitely had some chances for a couple more goals.

You can catch some highlights, including the goals, at this link.

Great stuff, and I really must say I’ve been very impressed by Linen so far. To be able to bounce back after a 4-0 loss and win 4-0, the first time AEK has scored 4 goals away since last year? Not an easy thing to do with AEK in this league. And I can’t imagine what Linen could do with some solid financial backing and a few good signings.

We’re still at the bottom of the table, but we only need three points to get out of the relegation zone, and like I mentioned last week, its fairly smooth sailing from now on. Hopefully with some momentum from the win we can start getting some more results like today.

AEK 1-0 Platanias!!

YEP! Our first win of the season! And it came at a great time. Still early enough in the season that we can turn things around. Still more than enough teams near us in the standings that with a little momentum, we can easily climb to higher positions. And especially with some big games coming up, we really needed a win to boost our morale and confidence (for both the players and the supporters).

I didnt get to watch the match but it sounds like we did alright, and sounded like we were much stronger in the second half. And though I havent seen any games yet, I definitely feel more confident with Linen. Not to take anything away from Vlachos… He loves AEK, came in at a really hard time and did what he could, but he just doesnt have the experience and professionalism that Linen has.

I cant wait to see how these guys turns things around now.

 

Oh, and also, the crowd at the end of the match (reminds me of the atmosphere after some of our big derby wins):

I also loved seeing Linen walk up to the Originals like that!

 

And I found one video of the highlights on youtube but Ill wait and see if I find a link for a better quality one. Fountas scored our goal after being set up by a great pass from Roger (apparently Roger made quite the difference when he came one).

PAOK 1-0 AEK

I certainly wasn’t expecting us to get our first win of the season in Toumba, but a 1-0 loss still isn’t too bad (considering our current situation… young players, first derby for the team, new coach). I didn’t get to watch or follow the match, but I heard that we played a pretty tight game defensively and managed to hold PAOK back for much of the match. We also apparently weren’t treated too well by the ref, but what else is new…

We’re still last in the league (painful isn’t it?) but we can still definitely turn things around. Not so sure we can make the playoffs, but hopefully we’ll be able to stay safely away from relegation. Our next match is against Platanias and though I know little about this club and have yet to see them play, and though they are a new team to the league, they’re doing quite well. But hopefully we’ll get our first win?