AEK boosts Round of 16 chances with important European win in Turkey
Source: NEOS KOSMOS
A second half comeback helped steer AEK to a crucial win over Samsunspor that has greatly boosted their chances of automatic qualification to the Round of 16.
Enosi defeated the Turkish outfit 2-1 away on Friday morning (AEDT) in the UEFA Conference League’s fifth matchday, moving into fourth place with ten points.
The game started horribly for AEK when the hosts went ahead in the fourth minute via an own goal by Harold Moukoudi, though they managed to make up for it in the second half with goals from Razvan Marin (52′) and Aboubakary Koita (63′).
The result goes a long way in helping AEK in their goal to qualify directly for the Round of 16.
PAOK rescued a point in a high-action 3-3 away draw against Ludogorets in the sixth matchday of the Europa League’s League Phase.
The Thessaloniki giants and the Bulgarian outfit went back-and-forth throughout, with the hosts striking first in the 33rd minute through Petar Stanic (33′) before PAOK drew level quickly after via Kiril Despodov (39′).
Alessandro Vogliacco then put the travellers ahead (48′) when two goals from Olivier Verdon (70′) and Ivaylo Chochev (77′) put Ludogorets ahead once more.
PAOK then managed to score in the 90th minute, thanks to a strike from 18-year-old Anestis Mythou, which was enough to escape with a draw.
They now sit in 18th with nine points, a strong total so far but one they will need to add to in their next games against Real Betis and Olympique Lyon.
Panathinaikos also split the points in their Europa League clash, though in a much more disappointing outcome after playing over an hour against a ten-man Vikotira Plzen side in Athens.
The Greens drew 0-0 with their opponents, who fell behind in the 32nd minute when Vaclav Jemelka received his second booking of the game.
The “Trifylli” did not maximise the advantage as they were resigned to a solitary point, bringing their overall tally to ten and moving down to 15th place.
It is a result that could come back to haunt them with their remaining games coming against Ferencvaros and Roma, both of whom stand above them on the table at the moment.
AEK Larnaca was forced to settle for a 1-1 away draw with BK Hacken after conceding in the 90+4th minute to go into tenth place with nine points on the Conference League standings.
The visitors scored in the 65th minute via an own goal from Filip Helander, though it was eventually cancelled out at the death via Johan Hammar.
Omonia came up with a vital 1-0 away victory over SK Rapid Wien to lift into 15th place with eight points, with Angelos Neophytou’s 19th minute goal having now put them in a strong position to advance past the League Phase.
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