Greece round-up: Three off as Olympiakos win
Sunday, March 10, 2002
Article summary
Nine-man Olympiakos Piraeus FC claimed a crucial 2-1 away victory against Xanthi FC on Sunday.
Article body
Ethniki Kategoria leaders Olympiakos Piraeus FC claimed a crucial 2-1 away victory against Xanthi FC on Sunday, but three red cards and crowd trouble overshadowed the match.
Red cards
Xanthi took the lead in the 15th minute through Spiros Vallas before Christian Karembeu equalised six minutes later. Peter Oforiquaye's strike on the stroke of half-time turned out to be the winner but it was not until late into the second half that the temperature began to rise. Giovanni received his marching orders for a second bookable offence with eight minutes remaining, while Karembeu and Xanthi's Vangelis Kaounos was also sent off in the dying moments.
AEK maintain pressure
Second-placed AEK Athens managed a comfortable 3-0 home victory over OFI Crete to keep up the pressure on Olympiakos. AEK got off to a flying start when Demis Nikolaidis' sixth-minute effort put the home side in front. It was 2-0 after 57 minutes, Vassilis Lakis getting the goal before adding his second and AEK's third just before the final whistle.
Draw for Panionios
Panionios GS left it late to gain a 2-2 draw when they entertained Ionikos. The home side took the lead in the first minute when Ermin Siljak scored, but Luis Curbello (18) and Mohamed Afash (48) put the visitors ahead. Takis Yiannopulos levelled matters up when he scored with just two minutes remaining.
Panachaiki held
Panahaiki GC drew 1-1 at home to Akratitos after a last-gasp strike from Takis Gitsis salvaged a point. The visitors took the lead after 81 minutes thanks to Stratos Garozis but Gitsis ensured a share of the spoils. Ethnikos Asteras lost 2-1 at home to Iraklis FC after a frantic first-half. The away side took the lead through Akis Stoltidis (18) before Bozidar Bandovic (24) equalised. Six minutes later Giorgos Kutsures scored what turned out to be the decisive goal as the hosts failed to find the net after the break.
Late strike
A late goal by Gianni Chloros gave Aigaleo all three points in the match at home to FC PAOK Thessaloniki. PAOK led at half-time thanks to Giorgos Georgiadis's 45th-minute strike, but Kostas Paputsis (57) and Chloros (89) decided the match.
