OFI took an important step towards qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Betsson Greek Cup, with a 3-1 victory over a relentless Volos. Salcido (25′), Nous (78′) and Sengelia (81′) the Cretans’ goals. The visitors were ahead with Kozta in the 19th minute.
With momentum gained from Toumba, OFI took a step towards qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Betsson Greek Cup. The home team prevailed 3-1 against Volos and even upset in the first meeting between them for the 16 institutions, where the Cretans aim high.
Costa opened the scoring in the 19th minute, putting the visitors ahead, with Salcidos immediately responding in the 25th minute to make it 1-1. It was an explosive four minutes for the Cretans, with Nous making it 2-1 in the 78th minute and Sengelia raising the scoreboard further.
The replay will take place on December 3-5 at the Panthessaliko Stadium, with the winner meeting either Panachaiki or Kifisia in the quarter-finals.
The game
From the first minutes, OFI had possession of the ball, with Volos trying to play in transition, taking advantage of the suspension imbalances of the Cretans. The hosts had a good moment in the 13th minute with a shot by Bakic.
The Teasers were ahead in the 19th minute. Banovic lost the ball, leaving Volos on the counter attack. The visitors cut into the area from the left, Altman took the shot, the ball hit the post, it ended at the feet of Ferrari who turned for Costa, who made it 1-0.
OFI’s response was immediate and balanced in the 25th minute. Sengelia picked up the ball in the area, passed it to Salcido, and the Italian striker scored. The Cretans tried to capitalize on their momentum with two good moments until the 30th minute. The game was full of pace and intensity, with the half ending 1-1.
Volos went into the second half more hungry, with Glavcic and Mendieta giving Naumov a hard time. However, the good moment belonged to the Cretans in the 66th minute. Foundas took the ball in the area, took the shot, Kovacs found the ball with his fingers, and then the post helped him.
In the 78th minute, OFI took the lead. Neira, who had just crossed the field, made an excellent vertical pass, and Jung back-heeled Nuss, who went past his opponent nicely and scored. However, the Cretans did not limit themselves to the second goal. Abada crossed from the left and Sengelia fired home a right-footed shot to make it 3-1 in the 81st minute.
Until the end of the match, there was no further change in the score, with OFI firmly holding on to qualification for the quarter-finals of the Betsson Greek Cup.
- OFI: Naumov, Gonzalez, Silva, Lambropoulos, Abada, Bakic, Banovic (46′ Karachalios), Fountas (76′ Neira), Sengelia (85′ Apostolakis), Nous (90+1′ Theodosoulakis), Salcido (76′ Jung)
- KILLER: Kovacs, Sudgren (83′ Koba), Kalogeropoulos (90+4′ Korea), Altman (71′ Bernardou), Kosta, Mendieta, Glavic, Vijafanes, Mygas, Ferrari, Miletic
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
- Egaleo – PAOK 0-3
- OFI – Volos 3-1
- 19:30 AEK – Aris
- 21:30 Athen Kallithea – Olympiacos
Thursday, October 31
- 15:00 Zakynthos – Asteras Tripoli AKTOR
Atromitos – Panathinaikos (CANCELED)
The pairs of the quarter finals
- Panserraikos – Panionios vs Zakynthos – Asteras Tripoli AKTOR
- Atromitos – Panathinaikos vs Athens Kallithea – Olympiacos
- AEK – Aris vs Aegaleo – PAOK
- OFI – Volos vs Kifissia – Panachaiki
The pairs of the semi-finals
- Panserraikos – Panionios vs Zakynthos – Asteras Tripoli AKTOR / OFI – Volos vs Kifissia – Panachaiki
- Atromitos – Panathinaikos vs Athens Kallithea – Olympiacos / AEK – Aris vs Aegaleo – PAOK
Interview: Engaging Discussion on OFI’s Performance and Greek Cup Dynamics
Editor (Time.news): Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Nikos Papadopoulos, a sports analyst and expert in Greek football. Thanks for joining us, Dr. Papadopoulos!
Dr. Papadopoulos: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to discuss the OFI versus Volos match and the implications for the Greek Cup.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. OFI secured a 3-1 victory over Volos, which is a crucial step towards the quarter-finals of the Betsson Greek Cup. What were your impressions of OFI’s overall performance?
Dr. Papadopoulos: OFI displayed a determined and resilient attitude throughout the match. After initially going down to a goal from Costa, they quickly regained composure and responded effectively. This kind of mental resilience is vital in cup competitions, where every moment counts.
Editor: Absolutely! It was fascinating to see OFI turn the match around. Salcido’s equalizer came just six minutes after Volos scored. How do you think that impacted the momentum of the game?
Dr. Papadopoulos: That equalizer was pivotal. It not only leveled the score but shifted the confidence back to OFI. You could sense the energy in the stadium change—momentum is a powerful element in football, and OFI capitalized on that well, controlling the pace and rhythm following that goal.
Editor: And what about the performance of Nous and Sengelia, who contributed significantly to OFI’s scoreline with goals in the later stages?
Dr. Papadopoulos: Both players showcased their clinical finishing and strategic positioning. Nous’s goal was a result of a well-timed run, and Sengelia’s shot demonstrated his ability to create chances under pressure. Their contributions highlight the depth and quality OFI has, which will be crucial as they advance in the tournament.
Editor: Looking ahead, OFI will face the winner between Panachaiki and Kifisia in the quarter-finals. How do you see them stacking up against potential opponents?
Dr. Papadopoulos: Both Panachaiki and Kifisia are formidable teams, but I believe if OFI maintains their current form, they have a strong chance to progress further. Their ability to adapt during matches will be essential, especially in knockout scenarios where surprises can happen.
Editor: That’s an interesting point. Having seen their resilience and adaptability against Volos, do you think OFI can leverage their recent success to carry them through?
Dr. Papadopoulos: Definitely. Success breeds confidence, and confidence in sport is crucial. Winning against a strong opponent like Volos will boost their morale and set the tone for the upcoming matches. It’s about building on this momentum.
Editor: Before we wrap up, what aspect of OFI’s playing style should they focus on to enhance their chances in the rest of the tournament?
Dr. Papadopoulos: I would recommend focusing on maintaining solid defensive organization. While their attacking play is commendable, ensuring they don’t concede unnecessary goals will be key. If they can strike a balance between offensive flair and defensive solidity, they could go far in the tournament.
Editor: Great insight, Dr. Papadopoulos! Thank you for sharing your expertise with us today. It’s clear that OFI has potential, and as the tournament progresses, their journey will be one to watch.
Dr. Papadopoulos: Thank you for having me! I look forward to seeing how the rest of the Cup unfolds.
