Panathinaikos fires three past Thrasyvoulos

By: Peter Katsiris | November 23rd, 2008

In cooperation with greeksoccer.com, a special to the Greek Super League blog by: Georgios Kioussis.

Panathinaikos ran out comfortable 3-0 winners over Thrasyvoulos Saturday evening at the OAKA Spiros Louis. Andreas Ivanschitz opened the scoring early in the first half and Antonis Petropoulos added a brace as the Trifili turned in a fine performance that saw them collect a much-needed three points.

It was a bit of a new look for the Athenian giants, Henk Ten Cate largely limited in his squad selection by player injuries and fatigue. The Dutchman’s starting eleven featured players who accounted for a mere six of the team’s 15 league goals going into Saturday’s encounter, though as time would tell, inspiration was ready to be found in new faces.

Ivanschitz was one, as the previously out-of-favor Austrian looked lively in the match’s opening stanza, forcing a save from Nikos Kostakis on four minutes before opening his account just three minutes later. Fullback Nikos Spyropoulos found space along the left flank and his low cross was met by an onrushing Ivanschitz, who smashed his first-time effort past a helpless Kostakis.

The visitors had threatened five minutes earlier, Giannis Chloros finding space behind Panathinaikos’ back four but having his weak shot saved by Mario Galinovic. It was one of the few significant pieces of attacking play Thrasyvoulos would conjure up, as Panathinaikos proceeded to dominate the proceedings.

For all their endeavor, though, the Greens failed to carve out significant opportunities in the first half, finding it difficult to break down a tightly-packed Thrasyvoulos defense. Indeed, most of the home side’s attacking play came from ambitious efforts from distance and Ivanschitz set pieces which Thrasyvoulos failed to deal with. Petropoulos dragged his shot wide of the post on 12 minutes, while efforts from Dimitris Salpingidis and Alexandros Tziolis failed to trouble Kostakis seven minutes later.

The side from Fyli looked most dangerous when on the break and came close to equalizing in the 25th minute. Giannis Katsikis saw his enticing cross flicked on to Wellington Goncalves. The Brazilian did well to control the ball but hurried his effort, lashing a volley over Galinovic’s crossbar.

The response was immediate from Panathinaikos, Salpingidis sending his cross into a dangerous area but Petropoulos failing to get a touch to steer it towards goal. Yet the link-up play between the two forwards was a sign of things to come.

And, on 54 minutes, the two saw their efforts turn fruitful. A telling through ball from Simao found the run of Salpingidis, who sprinted into space and squared the ball for Petropoulos. The Greek Under-21 international controlled well and held off the challenge of his marker before turning and beating Kostakis at his near post.

Petropoulos was given little chance to celebrate his first goal for the club, the ex-Egaleo man doubling his tally just three minutes later. Salpingidis was again the provider, picking the ball up in a central position and driving past two defenders before laying off for Petropoulos to slot in first-time.

Brimming with confidence, Petropoulos was unlucky to have not made it a hat trick on 68 minutes. Spyropoulos’ cross from the left evaded two defenders, but the striker mishit his effort in front of a hapless Kostakis.

Yet three goals proved to be enough for the home side, which always looked on pace to record a fifth clean sheet in the Greek Super League. The three points will be a massive boost to Ten Cate’s men, who had dropped 11 out of a possible 18 points over the last month. Panathinaikos now turn their sights to Europe’s premier club football competition and the pivotal clash with Serie A champions Inter Wednesday evening in Milan.

Thrasyvoulos look to regroup next Saturday at home, though they face a stern test in third-placed PAOK.

Panathinaikos (Henk Ten Cate) – Galinovic, Nilsson, Vyntra, Sarriegi, Spyropoulos, Simao, Tziolis (Gilberto 46′), Gabriel, Ivanschitz (Christodoulopoulos 83′), Salpingidis (C) (Ninis 66′), Petropoulos

Thrasyvoulos (Sakis Tsiolis) – Kostakis, Michos, Vasiliou (Luis Miguel 41′), Ventura, Sotirchos, Rocastle, Liapakis, Dimos (Mavrogenidis 61′), Wellington, Katsikis (C), Chloros (Poulakos 52′)

Goals – Ivanschitz (7′), Petropoulos (54′), Petropoulos (57′)

Bookings – Vasiliou (15′), Spyropoulos (49′), Sotirchos (69′)