Xanthi storm into semi-finals
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Article summary
Xanthi FC reached the semi-finals of the Greek Cup thanks to a 4-1 victory against second division Larissa FC.
Article body
By Vassiliki Papantonopoulou
Xanthi FC became the third team into the semi-finals of the Greek Cup as they overturned a 1-0 first-leg deficit against second division Larissa FC to progress 4-2 on aggregate.
Delayed breakthrough
The home side strived to restore parity from the first whistle, but failed to make an early breakthrough. With tension mounting, Stavros Labriakos finally broke the deadlock a minute before the hour with a long-range volley, and seven minutes later Alexandros Garpozis crashed in a shot from inside the penalty area to put the Alpha Ethniki club in front on aggregate.
Luciano double
With 15 minutes to go, Luciano de Souza rounded off a fine counterattack to put Xanthi 3-0 up, although Larissa refused to concede defeat and pulled a goal back eight minutes later through Antonis Makris. Luciano's second in added time, however, completed the victory and sealed a semi-final against Aris Thessaloniki FC. AEK Athens FC will meet the winners of the tie between Olympiacos CFP and FC Kastoria in the other semi.