Panathinaikos conquers PAOK through Tavlaridis goal
A Stathis Tavlaridis goal has brought Panathinaikos to practically within one point from clinching a spot in next season’s Champions League qualifiers, as the Greens made it three out of three in the Super League play-offs beating host PAOK 1-0 on Wednesday.
Panathinaikos was the best team in the crucial game played in front of the all-but-empty stands at Toumba, and could have extended its advantage in the game after Tavlaridis headed the ball in on the 43rd minute of the first half.
However the Greens also owe their victory to their English goalkeeper Luke Steele who responded perfectly to a Ricardo Costa header in the first half.
The few PAOK fans at the stands jeered their players, with PAOK caretaking coach Giorgos Georgiadis speaking afterward of a sick situation in the club.
In the other game of the evening Atromitos shared a goalless draw with Asteras Tripolis at Peristeri.
At the halfway point of the play-offs Panathinaikos has 11 points, PAOK is on four, Asteras has three and Atromitos two.
On Sunday Panathinaikos hosts PAOK in Athens and needs just one point to clinch the top spot in the mini-league, while Asteras Tripolis entertains Atromitos.
