Mak prevents PAOK derailment against Lokomotiva

Robert Mak’s goal deep in injury time gave PAOK some genuine hope of progressing to the next qualifying round of the Europa League, as the Thessaloniki club launched open the new soccer season for Greek teams in Europe with a 2-1 loss at Lokomotiva Zagreb on Thursday.

Wasteful PAOK could not translate its scoring chances into goals and found itself trailing its Croatian host 2-0 at half time due to goals against the run of play by Marko Kolar after 30 minutes and by Franko Andrijasevic in the first-half time added-on.

Coached by a Croat, Igor Tudor, PAOK kept missing chances in the second half and was lucky not concede a third goal as its back line has plenty of work to do to improve.

Just as it seemed the Greeks would have a difficult task in the second leg a week later having to win by three clear goals, Mak scored in the second minute of injury time to redeem himself for his share of the chances that went begging.

The return leg takes place on July 23 at Toumba.