AEK earn first-leg advantage
Thursday, March 4, 2004
Article summary
AEK Athens FC defeated Iraklis FC 1-0 in the Greek Cup quarter-final first leg, with Vassilios Tsiartas on target.
Article body
AEK Athens FC secured a first-leg advantage in the fourth Greek Cup quarter-final with a 1-0 victory against Iraklis FC at the Giannis Pathiakakis stadium tonight.
Early winner
The only goal of the game arrived in the fourth minute, as AEK striker Yiannis Okkas was brought down by Christos Kelpekis inside the penalty area and Vassilios Tsiartas made no mistake with the resulting spot-kick.
Machlas miss
Tsiartas was an influential figure and AEK forward Nikos Lyberopoulos a constant threat as the home side took control of the match. The visitors' only real chance came two minutes past the hour, but Nikos Machlas' header flew centimetres wide.
Second-leg date
The second leg will be played on 17 March, the same day Panathinaikos FC visit Patraikos FC seeking to defend their 1-0 first-leg lead. On Wednesday night, Olympiacos CFP and Kastoria FC both reached the last four, the latter becoming the first third division side to qualify for the semi-finals.
