OFI shocked Panathinaikos 3:1 at the Olympic Stadium to give their Super League survival chances a huge boost, while Panetolikos got back to winning ways with a 1:0 triumph at relegated Apollon Smyrnis.

Not many saw this coming. Until today, OFI hadn’t picked up a single away victory in the 2018/2019 Super League, but the Cretans broke the trend at the perfect time to move out of the direct relegation zone at PAS Giannina’s expense. PAS played a 0:0 draw at home to fellow strugglers Asteras Tripolis.

Panathinaikos had initially taken the lead in the first half. OFI defender Giannis Potourdis was punished for holding Federico Macheda’s shirt in the box, and after brushing himself down, the latter cooly converted the ensuing penalty.

However, Macheda then turned from hero to zero, as he contrived to bundle the ball over his own goal line after Panathinaikos goalkeeper Sokratis Dioudis failed to collect a free-kick from long distance.

Sensing blood, OFI went for the kill, and they took the lead in the 71st minute. After speeding past his marker on the left flank, Felipe Souza saw his low attempt stopped by Dioudis, but Ismail Sassi pounced on the rebound to smash the ball home.

Giorgos Giakoumakis, on loan from AEK FC, completed the famous win with an impressive solo effort with two minutes remaining. Juan Neira received his second yellow card in the closing moments, but it made little difference to OFI, who travel back to Heraklion having achieved their most important win of the campaign so far.

credits: www.agonasport.com