GREECE: Portugal stars Podence, Nélson Oliveira on target in Super League [video]
Olympiacos remain top of the standings in Greece this weekend after a 2-0 win over Atromitos ensured their two-point lead over PAOK continues into the international break. Seleção midfielder Daniel Podence was on the scoresheet for Pedro Martins’ side, who are unbeaten so far this season.
Defending champions PAOK also won, with Abel Ferreira’s men edging a 1-0 victory at OFI, while Nélson Oliveira scored again but was on the losing side as AEK Athens surrendered a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 at Panathinaikos in the Athens derby.
Former Vitória de Guimarães coach Martins selected all three of his Portuguese contingent for the home match with Atromitos. José Sá was in goal and Rúben Semedo in central defence, while goalscorer Daniel Podence took his place on the left side of the attack as Olympiacos had to wait for almost an hour for the breakthrough.
The opener came from Podence, who had drifted over to the right side on 59 minutes as the hosts looked to turn pressure into the first goal. The former Sporting man deftly moved inside onto his left foot and beat Balazs Megyeri with a low shot into the far corner for his first league goal of the campaign.
Ed-Arbi Soudani added a second almost immediately for Olympiacos, who saw out the game with ten men following Avram Papadopoulos’ red card. The visitors had former Boavista defender Talocha in their backline.
PAOK are also unbeaten after ten matches and their 1-0 win at OFI meant they kept pace with the leaders. Last weekend’s hero Vieirinha was again on the bench as he continues his speedy recovery from an ACL injury in April. Lisandro Semedo, who has caught the eye with his goalscoring exploits this season, was in the OFI line-up.
Oliveira scores again
AEK Athens suffered a disappointing defeat in Sunday’s big match in the capital. AEK took a 2-0 half-time lead at rivals Panathinaikos, but three goals conceded after the break meant the away side left with their second consecutive away defeat.
Ex-Benfica striker Nélson Oliveira, who scored twice last weekend to help AEK to victory over Atromitos, was back among the goals this week at the Olympiacos Stadium. Michail Bakakis had already opened the scoring on 18 minutes with a fierce shot into the top corner, before the Portuguese forward made it 2-0 with a poacher’s goal at the back post for his 5th goal from just seven appearances.
AEK, who also had André Simões in midfield, introduced David Simão at half time and the Yellow-Blacks made it to midway through the second half with their two-goal lead intact. However, after Oliveira hit the crossbar with a good chance to extend the advantage, the Portugal striker watched his team concede two goals in quick succession to Federico Macheda and Juan Pereira, before Dimitrios Kolovetsios headed an 88th-minute winner for Panathinaikos.
The defeat leaves AEK seven points behind PAOK in 3rd place, with this season’s league format set for a top-6 playoff to determine the champions. Elsewhere on Matchday 10, former Belenenses striker Sturgeon was sent off late on for Xanthi in their 2-1 defeat at home to Panionios.
By Sean Gillen