Late comeback win earns AEK a ticket to Conference League’s Round of 16
Source: NEOS KOSMOS
AEK is set to play knockout football in Europe after fighting back from two goals down to earn an impressive win in Athens, with two very late goals enough to ensure them a direct spot in the UEFA Conference League’s Round of 16.
Enosi looked in trouble of choking up a great chance to qualify straight for the Round of 16 when they fell two goals behind against Universitatea Craiova on Friday morning (AEDT), though two injury time strikes gave them an important win that propelled them into third place with 13 points.
The Double-headed eagle of the South came into the game confident of securing an automatic place in the Round of 16, though their hopes seemed in great doubt when they came to be 2-0 down, thanks to goals from Stefan Baiaram (30′) and Alexandru Cicaldau (59′).
The Athenian club showed fight and got themselves back in the contest in the 65th minute through Domagoj Vida.
The match proceeded into injury time where they looked at risk of loss when Dereck Kutesa produced a pivotal equaliser in the 90+8th minute that guaranteed they would advance to the Round of 16.
Luka Jovic then stepped up to the penalty spot and scored their third (90+15′) to secure the victory as well.
AEK’s success helped them finish as the third-best team in the League Phase, a strong result that puts them in stead for a solid run in the knockout rounds.
AEK Larnaca struck in the 83rd minute through Karol Angielski to seal a 1-0 home win and confirm automatic qualification to the Round of 16.
The Larnaca side finished the League Phase in eighth place with 12 points, just squeezing in for a direct ticket to the last 16.
Omonia suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Rakow Czestochowa via a lone goal to Oskar Repka in the 49th minute.
Despite the defeat, they were able to qualify for the next phase as they finished in 18th place with eight points, meaning they will take part in the knockout phase play-offs to try and seal a spot in the Round of 16 alongside AEK and AEK Larnaca.
The original article: belongs to NEOS KOSMOS .
