PAOK B held to goalless draw in Katerini [pictures]
In a dynamic match of high intensity, PAOK B claimed a point from a 0-0 draw at Pierikos on Saturday and the players’ attention is already focusing on the next challenge – a home clash with Xanthi on Wednesday (15.12, 14.45).
The Double-headed Eagle’s second string produced another mature and solid display, being the better side for the majority of the game and creating opportinuties to score, albeit without managing to break the deadlock.
On what was a heavy pitch, the two teams spent most of the match locked in a battle for midfield supremacy, withe some tough-tackling and one-to-one duels going on. PAOK B were energetic, tried to move the ball around, but found it difficult to threaten the Pierikos penalty area, with the exception of a side-footed effort from Panidis in the 14th minute.
Pressing more into the second half, PAOK B, began to get closer to the opposition goal with Chatzistravos rattling the crossbar in the 51st minute with an effort from 25 yards out. Then the Double-headed Eagle threatened through Gordeziani and Salamouras, while in the 77th minute they also had claims for a penaty turned down by the referee when Tzimas appeared to have been impeded by Mboussi. In the 82nd minute, Tzimas also missed great opportunity to score, following a precise cross from Fasidis.
Pierikos threatened via Itsios in the 88th minute, but Talichmanidis blocked his effort, while after that it was the turn of the home side to protest for a penalty in added time, but to no avail.
Team lineups:
PAOK: Talichmanidis, Kaloutsikidis, Apostolopoulos, Koulierakis, Panagiotou, Ouendraogo, Salamouras, Chatzistravos, Tachatos (80′ Fasidis), Gordeziani (71′ Tzimas), Panidis (62′ Koulouris).
Pierikos: Galanis, Miliotis, Topalidis, Panteliadis, Bouoli (65′ Mouratidis), Mboussi, Sudar, Karanatsios (65′ Itsios), Chartsias, Zafeirakis, Krimitzas (70′ Mavridis).
