Xanthi in the ascendancy
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Article summary
Xanthi FC secured a 2-1 win against Aris Thessaloniki FC in the first leg of their Greek Cup semi-final.
Article body
By Vassiliki Papantonopoulou
A late winner from substitute Vlassis Kazakis gave Xanthi FC a 2-1 win against ten-man Aris Thessaloniki FC in the first leg of their Greek Cup semi-final.
Opening goal
Xanthi have never played in a Greek Cup final but made good headway in the first leg, weathering an early storm from Aris before taking the lead against the run of play on 31 minutes. Martin Vozabal's fine individual work set up Levan Mahradze, who scored with a right-footed effort.
Woodwork struck
Aris came back strongly after the interval, hitting the woodwork either side of an equaliser from the penalty spot. Dorge Rostant Cuemaha hit the post on 50 minutes before Cuemaha was brought down by Ioannis Papadimitriou in the area and Ioannis Lazanas tucked away the penalty. Konstantinos Nebegleras hit the post with a free-kick as Aris pressed for a winner.
Cuemaha dismissed
The 82nd-minute dismissal of Cuemaha for unsportsmanlike conduct changed the game, however, with Xanthi pouring forward to take advantage of their numerical superiority. A close-range striker from Kazakis on 88 minutes will give them genuine hope of meeting AEK Athens or Olympiacos CFP in the final on 27 April.
