AEK took a comfortable three points in an empty New Philadelphia over Asteras AKTOR, winning 3-0. Hadjisafi, Fernandes and Garcia were the scorers for the Union, while the Arcans finished the game with nine players due to the suspensions of Alagme and Tzandari.
AEK made life easy against Asteras AKTOR, winning 3-0, laying the foundation for an early victory, and Arkades who finished the game with nine men due to the dismissal of Alagbe in the 36th minute and Zandaris in the 70′.
The finals and xGoals AEK – Asteras AKTOR
Union opened the scoring in the ninth minute. Martial with a clever pass found Hadjisafi in the area and put the ball into the net with a nice heel.
The second goal came in the 31st minute. Fernandez hit a free kick just outside the Chintotas area that found the ball, but was unable to clear it for a corner.
Levia Garcia sealed the three points for the yellow and black in the 58th minute. Pineda, who had just entered the game, found the Trinidad and Tobago forward in the area, evaded Deli and put the ball into the net with a penalty kick.
AEK rose with these three points to 21, catching Aris in first place in the standings, while Asteras AKTOR remained at 16.
He laid the groundwork from the first part
AEK took the ball at their feet from the first minute of the match, trying to have the initiative of the movements with Asteras AKTOR as his first concern was to protect his own back. The first step in the game was Fernandes’ direct free kick from the corner of the area in the 7th minute, which went just wide.
In the 9th minute the yellow and black goal came with Martial’s clever pass and Hadjisafi’s heel.
In the 31st minute, the yellow and black team laid the groundwork for the three points with Fernandes’ direct free kick, which Tsintotas was unable to save. AEK continued to threaten and in the 34th minute, Callens, who moved like a forward, sent a penalty from the height of the area, with Tsintota clearing away.
Things got even worse for Asteras AKTOR in the 36th minute when Alagbe was sent off with a straight red for a tackle on Fernandes’ stomach.
Garcia put the icing on the cake, Asteras AKTOR finished the game with nine players
The second half started with Asteras AKTOR coming on a little stronger in their attempt to respond, but they were happy with Munioth’s cross from outside the area in the 47th minute, which went well wide without Strakosa worrying.
After the 50th minute the Union regained control of the game. In the 51st minute, Fernandes sent the ball high enough from the corner of the area, and in the 58th minute the goal came. Pineda passed his first action of the game to Garcia inside the area, he avoided Deli and with a shot from inside the area he put the ball into the net.
Matias Almeida renewed AEK and they continued to press Asteras AKTOR’s opposition frames who looked weak to get anything from the game. At the same time, the Arcades were left with nine players as Tzandaris was sent off with red through VAR for marking with the plugs on Rota.
In the 76th minute the Union achieved the fourth goal with Franji Piero, however the Haitian forward exposed after Lamela’s shot which was neutralized by Tsintotas, and in the 65th minute goalkeeper Arkados Hadjisafi stopped with the help of the crossbar.
After the second relegation for Arcades, AEK had eight finals to score (plus Piero’s goal disallowed for offside). Gacinovic and Lamela were more hungry and became more threatening and looked for the goal, but Tsintotas intervened when needed 3-0 left to the end.
The best statistics and performances of the game
AEK: Strakosa, Rota, Cullens (70′ Gacinovic), Vida, Hadjisafi, Jonsson, Pereira (58′ Pineda), Fernandes (63′ Coita), Martial, Mandalos (63′ Lamela), Garcia (70′ Piero).
Star ACTOR: Tsintotas, Alho, Triantafyllopoulos, Deli, Houhoumis, Alagbe, Munioth (83′ Jimas), Crespi (64′ Alvares), Zouglis (46′ Jandaris), Bartolo (83′ Bille), Makeda (77′ Regics).
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Football Expert
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome to our interview today! We’ve seen some exciting action on the pitch lately. To dive deeper, I’m joined by football analyst and commentator, Alex Carter. Thanks for being here, Alex!
Alex Carter (AC): My pleasure! Happy to discuss the latest match and what it means for these teams.
TNE: AEK had a convincing 3-0 victory over Asteras AKTOR. What were your initial thoughts on their performance?
AC: It was a comprehensive win for AEK. From the first minute, they really dictated the tempo. Their ability to control the game and create chances turned the match in their favor very early.
TNE: Absolutely. The opening goal came in the 9th minute from Hadjisafi, assisted by Martial. How significant was that goal in setting the tone?
AC: Scoring early always helps, as it puts immediate pressure on the opposing team. Hadjisafi’s clever finish showcased not just technical skill but also the chemistry he’s building with Martial. It made Asteras AKTOR defend more deeply, which opened up further opportunities for AEK.
TNE: We also saw Fernandes scoring from a free kick in the 31st minute. What did you think of Asteras AKTOR’s defense on that play?
AC: It was a mishap from their goalkeeper, Chintotas. The shot was well taken, but he should’ve dealt with it better. This is something teams need to work on—set pieces can be game-changers, and conceding a goal from a free kick puts them right on the back foot.
TNE: Asteras AKTOR certainly faced difficulties as Alagbe received a red card in the 36th minute, leaving them with ten men. How did this affect their strategy moving forward?
AC: Once they went down to ten men, Asteras had to focus on damage control. It forced them to play defensively, which ultimately made it easier for AEK to maintain their attacking momentum. When you’re a man down, it’s tough to create chances, and they struggled to respond as AEK dominated the possession.
TNE: The game concluded with Garcia sealing the win through a penalty kick in the 58th minute. The dismissal of Zandaris later in the game further exacerbated Asteras AKTOR’s woes. Can you elaborate on how finishing with nine men impacts a team’s morale?
AC: It’s incredibly demoralizing. Not only does it signify a loss of opportunity to compete, but it also puts added pressure on the remaining players. They become fatigued more quickly, knowing they have to cover more ground. A disheartening situation that could lead to further disciplinary issues down the line.
TNE: With this win, AEK has climbed to the top of the standings, now tied with Aris at 21 points. What does this victory mean for their season trajectory?
AC: This creates significant momentum for AEK. Clinching important three points against a rival helps build confidence. If they maintain this form, they’ll be in the conversation for the title. The key will be consistency in their performances and continuing to capitalize on teams’ mistakes.
TNE: Lastly, what does Asteras AKTOR need to work on following this defeat?
AC: They must focus on their defensive organization, particularly during set pieces, as well as discipline. With players getting sent off, they can’t afford to let frustrations affect their play. Building resilience will also be crucial to bounce back in future matches.
TNE: Great insights, Alex! It’s always enlightening to hear your thoughts on the game. Thank you for joining us today!
AC: Thanks for having me! Looking forward to seeing how the league progresses!