Panserraikos beat Panionios 2-0 with a Betancourt penalty and a Hrustinec own goal and went clear in qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Betsson Greek Cup.
Panserraikos took the first cause of the qualification to the quarter-finals of the Betsson Greek Cup, overcoming the resistance of Panioni 2-0 by scoring twice in the second half.
The first goal for the lions came from… the usual suspect, Betancourt, who scored from eleven meters in the 62nd minute on the penalty conceded by Dionellis.
Panseraikos sealed the victory in the second minute of stoppage time when Salazar entered the area and after the attempted shot the ball went against Hrustinets and ended up in Skafidas’ net.
The replay in Nea Smyrni is scheduled for Wednesday, December 4.
THE MATCH
The game started without many steps, with the first lead coming in the 6th minute when Felicio crossed weakly from the height of the area without worrying about Katsikas. It took around twenty minutes until the next final, with Hadakia finding a destination after a free kick from Tomas, but Skafidas collected.
The hosts threatened again in the 35th minute as Deletic dug well for Tomas but a second half shot went wide of the goal. Juan Ferrado’s side closed the first half strongly with their biggest chance coming in the 39th minute when Fares crossed from the left and Deletic made a powerful header that forced Skafidas into a difficult save. From the following corner, Karasalidis took the header, but the Neosmyrniotes moved away on the line.
Panserraikos won a penalty in the 61st minute when Dionellis found the ball with his hand after Fares’ cross. Betancourt took the header and sent Skafidas into the other corner to open the scoring for the hosts.
Antonis Nikopolidis threw Sebas and Bourlakis into the game in the 73rd minute and two minutes later the pair combined to threaten the home side of Panserraikos. The former Olympiakos player made the turn with his header at the second post when Bourlakis shot but the ball went over Katsikas’ posts. In the 86th minute, Kolovos made a foul just near the Panserraikos area but the ball hit the wall.
The lions sealed the victory in the 90’+2′ with a Hrustinec own goal after a Salazar effort and took an important step towards qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Betsson Greek Cup.
- PANSERRAIC: Katsikas, Karasalidis, Karamanolis, Khantakias, Fees (76′ Petavrakis), Koutsogoulas, Zelen (54′ Kaptoum), Perutsi, Tomas (67′ Hadjistravos), Deletics (55′ Salazar), Betancourt (67′ Gigits).
- Panionios: Skafidas, Zoulias, Potsi, Bousis, Dionellis (84′ Hrustinets), Tsornomaz, Piertziakomi (73′ Bourlakis), Engwem, Grondis (58′ Kolovos), Alexandrakis (58′ Stoupis), Felitsio (73′ Semba).
Schedule and results of the first matches for the last 16 of the Cup
Tuesday, October 29
- Kifissia – Panachaiki 1-1
- Panseraikos – Panionios 2-0
Wednesday, October 30
- 15:30 Egaleo – PAOK
- 17:30 OFI – Volos
- 19:30 AEK – Aris
- 21:30 Athen Kallithea – Olympiacos
Thursday, October 31
- 15:00 Zakynthos – Asteras Tripoli AKTOR
Interview between Time.news Editor and Football Expert
Editor: Welcome to this special edition of Time.news, where we dive deep into the latest developments in the world of football. Joining us today is renowned football analyst and commentator, Dr. Eleni Papadopoulos. Welcome, Eleni!
Eleni: Thank you for having me! It’s great to be here.
Editor: Let’s talk about the recent match between Panserraikos and Panionios in the Betsson Greek Cup. Panserraikos secured a convincing 2-0 victory. What do you think were the key factors that led to their success?
Eleni: Absolutely! One of the pivotal factors was their resilience in the second half. They controlled the game better and capitalized on critical moments, particularly with Betancourt converting the penalty. His confidence in high-pressure situations is a game-changer.
Editor: It certainly was an intense match. The first half saw Panionios putting up a strong defense but failing to capitalize on their chances. What do you think went wrong for them?
Eleni: There were definitely moments of opportunity, but their execution was lacking. For instance, the chance with Deletic’s header could have made a significant difference. They needed to be more clinical in front of goal. Also, defensively, they failed to mark correctly, leading to the penalty and the own goal in stoppage time.
Editor: Fascinating insights! Now, the match had quite a dramatic ending with Panserraikos sealing the victory thanks to an own goal by Hrustinets. How crucial is it to maintain focus even in the dying moments of the game?
Eleni: Extremely crucial. That’s where many matches are decided. The own goal demonstrated a lapse in concentration from Panionios, and it can be demoralizing for a team. Maintaining focus until the final whistle is essential in competitions like the Cup, where every goal can have significant implications.
Editor: Looking ahead, there’s a replay scheduled in Nea Smyrni. What does Panionios need to adjust in their approach for that match?
Eleni: They need to work on their defensive organization and be sharper in attack. They can’t afford to allow Panserraikos to dictate the pace. I would also advise them to be more aggressive in pressing high, which can unsettle their opponents and create more goal-scoring opportunities.
Editor: Great points, Eleni. It seems that the upcoming replay will be a crucial test for both teams. Before we wrap up, what does this victory mean for Panserraikos in the larger context of the Betsson Greek Cup?
Eleni: This win is significant as it provides them with momentum and confidence heading into the quarter-finals. It’s not just about the scoreline; it’s about the morale boost that comes from a solid performance. If they can build on this, they could go far in the tournament.
Editor: Thank you, Eleni, for your expert analysis! I’m sure our readers will appreciate your insights into this exciting match and what lies ahead.
Eleni: Thank you for having me! I’m looking forward to seeing how the tournament unfolds.
Editor: And to our readers, stay tuned for more updates on the Betsson Greek Cup and other football action.