PAOK ace their last rehearsal
Chuba Akpom was on fire and scored four goals, as PAOK thrashed Fortuna Sittard 5-1, in their last friendly encounter before their UEFA Champions League qualifying ties against AFC Ajax.
Abel Ferreira fielded a starting line-up with the players who have enjoyed more minutes in preseason friendlies so far, plus Anderson Esiti who made his unofficial debut for the “Double-Headed Eagle”.
Despite the heavy pitch, due to the storm that hit the Netherlands on Saturday, PAOK were great in the first half and practically finished off their rivals before the interval, taking a 4-1 lead.
Chuba Akpom netted the opener, teed up by Dimitris Pelkas in the 7th minute. Two minutes later, provider turned to scorer, the Greek attacking midfielder making the most of Omar El Kaddouri’s sensational pass.
In the 18th minute, Akpom made it 0-3, the goal at his mercy after a pass by Léo Jabá. The home side reduced distances in the 41st minute, but PAOK regained their three-goal lead with Akpom, following an outstanding team combination.
After the interval, the match pace dropped considerably. Akpom didn’t take the foot off the throttle though and his fourth goal of the evening sealed PAOK’s 5-1 victory.
The “Double-Headed Eagle” return now to Thessaloniki, as they reach the final stretch of their preparation for their encounters against AFC Ajax.
PAOK line-up:
Paschalakis, Matos, Giannoulis, Varela, Crespo, Esiti, El Kaddouri (84′ Kaçe), Biseswar, Jabá (87′ Tsiggaras), Pelkas (43′ Lamprou), Akpom.
