PAOK B settle for draw in opener [with pictures]
The first sample, if nothing else, was encouraging as PAOK B produced a solid display in their opening Super League 2 match. Dangerous on the counter-attack and excellent in defence, despite creating the lion’s share of chances the match against POT Iraklis Fournoi Veneti at the Makedonikos Stadium ended goalless.
The game had a fast pace and both teams showed mobility with the visitors having the reins in the first 20 minutes of the match. PAOK B defended soundly, avoided conceding big chances, and threatened on the counter-attack. After all, the two big chances of the first half belonged to the home side. In the 30th minute, Tsopouroglou was released by Urtado, but he was denied by Stournaras. And in the 38th minute, Smyrlis had a good chance to shoot after a pass from Urtado, but his effort went wide.
The change in the pattern of play was clear in the second half. PAOK B were clearly more danerous and from the moment they also gained a numerical advantage (52nd minute) when Papasavvas fouled Urtado when he was through on goal, they became even more threatening. In the 54th minute, Kanis took a free-kick the ball hit the post and when it bounced back into play, even Smyrlis’ header did not find its way to the net. In essence, PAOK B continued to threaten with Filon stealing the ball in the 67th minute, then making an impressive run and placing a shot just inches past the post, with the onrushing Urtado not able to direct the ball into the net. In the 69th minute, Grosdis’s wonderful shot went just wide, then in the 75th minute, Tsaousis hit a good shot but the ball was deflected and ended up going out for a corner. Then, in stoppage time, Urtado surged into the penalty area and fired in a shot, but again teh hosts could not break the deadlock.
As far as the visitors are concerned, the truth is that they did not register many threatening efforts, with the exception of a shot in the 74th minute, to which Monastirlis reacted well to save.
The next game for PAOK B is in Volos against Niki Volos next Saturday (28.09).
PAOK B: Monastirlis, Tasiouras, Sinanai (85′ Rumiantsev), Lagonidis, Kottas, Grosdis (85′ Goumas), Tsopouroglou, Kalogiros (55′ Filon), Kanis (75′ Tsaousis), Smyrlis, Urtado.
POT Iraklis Fournoi Veneti: Stournaras, Kivrakidis, Anastasiou, Sideras, Papasavvas, Hammond, Belmont (60′ Kaloutsikidis), Christodoulopoulos (60′ Doukoure), Bertolio (88′ Jimeneth), Kynigopoulos, Tsirigotis (78′ Kousta).
