Aziz’s red card in the 58th minute did not stop PAS Giannina’s complete retreat from the score, and as a result Nikolias in the 90th minute gave the Epirotes a 2-1 win against Diagoras Rhodes for the 7th matchday of the Super League.
THE Alexander Nikolias with a goal in the 90’ he redeemed PAS Ioannina, who canceled the first half 0-1, took his 4th victory in the league and maintained the difference of six points from the first in standings in group A of Super League 2, AEL.
Although Diagoras took the lead in the 18th minute with Bregu’s header after a corner kick, he saw Sepovic equalize for Epirotes in the 52nd minute after assisting Mandzis and Nikolias to give him the “free kick” in the 90th minute.
The Rhodesians, despite playing with one more player after Aziz’s straight red in the 58th minute for dangerous marking with the knee pads of Nikolis, failed to find the second goal, denying him the posts on two occasions.
Thus, PAS celebrated its first three points with Galeano on the bench, rising to 2nd place with 13 points, while Diagoras remained in 8th place with just five points after seven games.
PASS GIANNINA (Galeano): Athanasiou, Aziz, Panos, Soria, Reeder, Sobosinski, Begala (46′ Mina), Heinrich (61’ Bakadimas), Sepovic (87′ Leo), Nikolias, Manzis (80′ Lolis)
DIAGORAS (Terzis): Tsilingiris, Paraskevas, Nikolis, Bregou, Garoufalias, Dimopoulos, Dialosi, Tsiantoulas, Manolakis (68′ Blanc Kazau), Oliveri (68’ Ato (86′ Lioumis), Manias
Program and results of the 7th matchday in group A’
- Campania - AEL 0-2
- Victory of Volos - Herakles 1-0
- PAS Ioannina – Diagoras 2-1
- 3/11, 15:00 Kavala – PAOK B’
- 3/11, 15:00 Macedonian – New Kerameidi National
The schedule for the 8th matchday in Group A
- Diagoras – Niki Volos
- New National Keramido – Campania
- PAOK B’ – AEL
- Hercules – Macedonian
- Kavala – PAS Ioannina
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Football Expert
Editor: Good day, and welcome to our special interview segment. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with renowned football analyst Dr. Elena Papadopoulos. We’re diving into the recent Super League match where PAS Giannina pulled off a dramatic comeback against Diagoras Rhodes. Thanks for being here, Dr. Papadopoulos!
Dr. Papadopoulos: Thank you for having me! It’s always a pleasure to discuss the beautiful game.
Editor: Let’s jump right in! The match started off with Diagoras taking an early lead thanks to Bregu’s header in the 18th minute. What do you think was the impact of that early goal on PAS Giannina’s game plan?
Dr. Papadopoulos: It was crucial. Goals like that, especially early in the match, can dramatically affect a team’s strategy. For PAS Giannina, it likely instilled a sense of urgency. They had to shift from a defensive posture to a more aggressive approach to reclaim control of the game.
Editor: Absolutely! Then we saw a turning point in the 58th minute with Aziz receiving a red card. What does this mean for a team’s dynamics, especially when they are already trailing?
Dr. Papadopoulos: A red card usually puts a team in a precarious position, and in this case, it appeared to fuel PAS Giannina’s determination rather than discourage them. They had to dig deep, leveraging their remaining players to compensate for the loss, and sometimes such adversity can actually inspire a team to rally together.
Editor: That’s an interesting perspective! Despite being a player down, Nikolias scored the equalizer followed by a dramatic winner in the 90th minute. How significant is this for his confidence and the team’s morale going forward?
Dr. Papadopoulos: Nikolias’s late goal is incredibly significant. Scoring in such a crucial moment not only boosts his personal confidence but also reinforces the belief within the entire squad. It serves as a reminder that they can overcome challenges and that their effort can yield success, which is vital for their mindset in upcoming matches.
Editor: You mentioned mindset—do you think this victory will impact their standings in the league moving forward?
Dr. Papadopoulos: Definitely. This victory keeps them six points off the top of Group A in Super League 2, which enhances their position for the playoff spots. Momentum is key in football, and stringing together wins like this can ignite a positive streak, making them formidable opponents in the subsequent matches.
Editor: Looking at the league table, what do you foresee for PAS Giannina in the remainder of the season?
Dr. Papadopoulos: If they can build on this performance, I see them maintaining pressure on the teams above them. Their resilience showcased in this match hints at potential for growth as a squad. If they can manage player fitness and avoid further suspensions, they may very well become serious contenders for promotion.
Editor: Lastly, what lessons do you think can be taken from this match for teams in similar positions?
Dr. Papadopoulos: The key takeaway is the importance of resilience and teamwork. Even when things seem to be going against you, belief in each other and a collective effort can turn the game around. Additionally, staying composed in high-pressure situations is vital, as exemplified by Nikolias’s performance.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Papadopoulos, for sharing your insights. It’s been enlightening to hear your perspective on this thrilling match!
Dr. Papadopoulos: Thank you for having me. Football continues to teach us about perseverance and teamwork both on and off the pitch!
Editor: And thank you to our viewers for tuning in. Stay with us for more analysis and updates from the world of sports!