Two fantastic goals from Bruno Gama power Aris to a pulsating 3-1 victory against OFI at the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium in the first game of the 2019/2020 Super League playoffs.
Initially, Aris struggled to find their groove in the maiden match of the championship playoffs, falling behind to Vajebah Sakor’s opener. However, the hosts gradually improved as the game progressed, equalising through Bruno Gama before the same player handed the Thessaloniki-based organisation the lead with a superb free-kick. Mihaly Korhut completed the job with 10 minutes remaining.
As a consequence of their exciting victory, Aris move above OFI into fifth place of the standings, holding a slender three-point advantage over their Cretan opponents. Aris face a daunting trip to Piraeus to face Olympiacos next week, while OFI will now prepare to host AEK in Heraklion.
THE MATCH
OFI started the match with confidence. Boasting the majority of possession, the visitors quickly began creating problems for Aris, picking their opponents apart with incisive passing play.
The Cretans made a deserved breakthrough in the 21st minute.
In space on the edge of the area, Sakor had time to pick his spot, sliding a low attempt beyond Julian Cuesta.
Not long later, Dimitris Manos had a glorious chance to double OFI’s money, but he contrived to blaze over the crossbar.
To their dismay, OFI were soon made to pay for their profligacy.
With the half-time break approaching, Lindsay Rose burst forward on the right flank, subsequently sending a pass across to Gama who thumped an unstoppable shot past the flailing Oscar Whalley.
The second half saw the two sides largely cancel each other out with their committed, passionate approach. In the 60th minute, Manos once again came agonisingly close for OFI, curling a sumptuous effort inches wide of the right post with Cuesta scrambling.
At the other end, Giannis Fetfatzidis almost hit the jackpot with an even better attempt, as his whipped shot drifted off target.
Aris would, however, score the crucial second goal with 17 minutes left on the clock. And it what an exquisite goal it was too.
Gama, the star of the show for Aris, beat Whalley with a perfectly taken free-kick which went in with the help of the right post.
In the box seat, Aris promptly killed the game off just seven minutes later, as Korhut thumped an arrowed shot into the right corner when completely alone inside the OFI penalty box.
Throwing everything at Aris, OFI should have halved the deficit in stoppage time as Juan Neira blasted over from point blank range, but it wasn’t to be their day.
TEAMS
Aris: Cuesta, Korhut, Delizisis, Velez, Rose, Sousa (Bagalianis 90’), Sasha (Tonso 90’), Gama (Martinez 83’), Fetfatzidis (Ba 83’), Larsson, Ideye (Mancini 63’).
OFI: Whalley, Korovesis, Giannoulis, Koutroubis, Marinakis (Braun 85’), Sakor (Staikos 56’), Mellado (Joao Victor 85’), Semedo, Nabi (Nikokyrakis 85’), Neira, Manos (Figueiredo 65’).
credits: www.agonasport.com
Initially, Aris struggled to find their groove in the maiden match of the championship playoffs, falling behind to Vajebah Sakor’s opener. However, the hosts gradually improved as the game progressed, equalising through Bruno Gama before the same player handed the Thessaloniki-based organisation the lead with a superb free-kick. Mihaly Korhut completed the job with 10 minutes remaining.
As a consequence of their exciting victory, Aris move above OFI into fifth place of the standings, holding a slender three-point advantage over their Cretan opponents. Aris face a daunting trip to Piraeus to face Olympiacos next week, while OFI will now prepare to host AEK in Heraklion.
THE MATCH
OFI started the match with confidence. Boasting the majority of possession, the visitors quickly began creating problems for Aris, picking their opponents apart with incisive passing play.
The Cretans made a deserved breakthrough in the 21st minute.
In space on the edge of the area, Sakor had time to pick his spot, sliding a low attempt beyond Julian Cuesta.
Not long later, Dimitris Manos had a glorious chance to double OFI’s money, but he contrived to blaze over the crossbar.
To their dismay, OFI were soon made to pay for their profligacy.
With the half-time break approaching, Lindsay Rose burst forward on the right flank, subsequently sending a pass across to Gama who thumped an unstoppable shot past the flailing Oscar Whalley.
The second half saw the two sides largely cancel each other out with their committed, passionate approach. In the 60th minute, Manos once again came agonisingly close for OFI, curling a sumptuous effort inches wide of the right post with Cuesta scrambling.
At the other end, Giannis Fetfatzidis almost hit the jackpot with an even better attempt, as his whipped shot drifted off target.
Aris would, however, score the crucial second goal with 17 minutes left on the clock. And it what an exquisite goal it was too.
Gama, the star of the show for Aris, beat Whalley with a perfectly taken free-kick which went in with the help of the right post.
In the box seat, Aris promptly killed the game off just seven minutes later, as Korhut thumped an arrowed shot into the right corner when completely alone inside the OFI penalty box.
Throwing everything at Aris, OFI should have halved the deficit in stoppage time as Juan Neira blasted over from point blank range, but it wasn’t to be their day.
TEAMS
Aris: Cuesta, Korhut, Delizisis, Velez, Rose, Sousa (Bagalianis 90’), Sasha (Tonso 90’), Gama (Martinez 83’), Fetfatzidis (Ba 83’), Larsson, Ideye (Mancini 63’).
OFI: Whalley, Korovesis, Giannoulis, Koutroubis, Marinakis (Braun 85’), Sakor (Staikos 56’), Mellado (Joao Victor 85’), Semedo, Nabi (Nikokyrakis 85’), Neira, Manos (Figueiredo 65’).
credits: www.agonasport.com
