OFI 0-2 AEK

After yesterday’s 0- 0 draw between Panathinaikos and PAOK, AEK were once again presented with a golden opportunity to go 2nd in the playoffs and this time around, we were able to capitalize. Our performance today was definitely an improvement over what we saw last weekend during the game against Panathinaikos. Sure, OFI are the weakest of the teams we’ll face in the playoffs, but it was reassuring nonetheless to see us manage to put together a few significant attacks going forward. Livaja was on the score sheet once again following his well taken header to close out the first half, but it was Verde’s perfectly taken goal which was the one that received the most attention with some beautiful footwork followed topped off by a perfectly placed shot. Verde might not have been our top scorer this season but when he has scored, its often been a goal worth watching more than once.

The win today puts AEK as the sole occupant of 2nd place with 55 points – ahead of us are Olympiakos on 72 points while we are trailed by PAOK on 53 points. We’re clearly not out of the woods yet as it wouldn’t take much for us to be overtaken and from what I’ve heard and read following’s yesterday’s draw, PAOK looked more dangerous than the 0-0 scoreline would suggest. Thankfully, we seem to have put last week’s performance behind us and are heading in the right direction for the time being at least.

In other news, we made our first significant singing of the season with a three year deal with Bright Enobakhare. The 22 year old Nigerian striker was previously with Wolves but has spent much of his time on loan – can’t say I’m particularly familiar with him, but it seems like a promising singing and I’m glad he isn’t yet another player for us on loan.

OFI 0-3 AEK

After a disastrous week last week, which saw us lose to both Ajax and PAOK, a positive performance from the team today saw us rebound in the best way possible.

Certainly what we saw last week was not at all what we would have hoped for but like I often say, its better that we have these reality checks earlier in the season, when there’s still plenty of time to make up lost ground. Today’s performance thankfully suggested that the team put last week’s results behind them and instead focused solely on the task at hand.

I’ll be honest, I was happy to see OFI back in the Superleague. They often had pretty good home support when I watched them in the past and were a team that could often put in a surprisingly strong performance. They didn’t pose much of a threat today, but they did manage to have a few chances themselves throughout the match, despite playing with ten men for much of the time. AEK, however, were clearly the stronger side and aside from a few times when we were caught on the counter attack, we controlled the pace for most of the match.

Bakasetas got the scoring started for AEK with a low shot that has somewhat become a specialty of his. The second goal was a thing of beauty. It all started when Klonaridis was taken down intentionally just outside the box. Galo took the resulting free kick, one which he slotted perfectly in the back of the net. The third and final goal of the night was a rather sloppy one, a tap in scored by Ponce following some poor defending by OFI.

All in all the team looked good, back to what we had hoped to see from them last week. Barkas was amazing in nets and though he wasn’t called into action too often, when he was needed he managed some great saves. Unfortunately it wasn’t all good news for us as Lopes suffered a knee injury towards the end of the match. I haven’t heard of a formal diagnosis but judging by his reaction, he could tell it wasn’t going to end well. Hopefully he comes back strong and as soon as possible since he’s been a rather steady player for us this past year.

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!

Panionios-AEK Half Time Report

AEK are down 1-0 to Panionios at the end of the first half after Kyrgiakos let in an own goal. Edinho has missed a couple of chances but AEK have not had any serious scoring oppourtunities yet. They have managed to keep the ball for the most part in the Panionios end but will have to start organizing the offence a little better if they are to get some goals in the net.

At this moment it is still possible for AEK to catch up and get three points, which will put them up at the top of the standings after Olympiakos drew 0-0 in Crete yesterday against OFI.

AEK News

AEK striker Michalis Pavlis helped Greece’s Under-19 team to a 1-1 draw with Italy for the first games of the group stages. Pavlis put Greece up fairly early on and it looked like Greece were going to start the group stages with three points but the referee awarded Italy a penalty in the 89th minute which they scored to help them to salvage a point.

Certain websites are saying that the jersey shown below will be AEK’s home jersey for next season although there have not been any official from AEK’s website.

 

The schedule for next season has been revealed. It will be as follows:

First Matchday     AEK-Panathinaikos

Second Matchday     PAOK-AEK

Third Matchday     AEK-Iraklis

Fourth Matchday     Panionios-AEK

Fifth Matchday     Olympiakos-AEK

Sixth Mathday     AEK-Larissa

Seventh Matchday     Thrasivoulos-AEK

Eigth Matchday     AEK-Asteras Tripolis

Ninth Matchday     Skoda Xanthi-AEK

Tenth Matchday     AEK-Panseraikos

Eleventh Matchday     OFI-AEK

Twelfth Matchday     Levadeiakos-AEK

Thirteenth Matchday     AEK-Panthrakikos

Fourteenth Matchday     Aris-AEK

Fifteenth Matchday     AEK-Ergotelis