AEK keep hopes alive after win over Maccabi

12:11 GONZALO Garcia and Gorka Pintado scored a goal apiece to move AEK Larnaca within a point of Maccabi Haifa, keeping alive their Europa League qualification hopes on Thursday night at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia.

Garcia opened the scoring in the 14th minute when he pounced on a loose ball and broke clear before firing low past Bojan Saranov in Maccabi’s goal.

AEK extended their lead six minutes after the interval. Quick thinking by Pintado on the right flank saw the forward get the better of Saranov, brilliantly disguising his shot as a cross and beating the goalkeeper at his near post.

With 15 minutes remaining the visitors gave themselves a lifeline when Jurica Buljat broke free on the right and drove the ball in at Alexandre Negri’s near post, but it proved to be no more than a consolation.

In the final round of games in Group J, AEK need to beat Romanians Steaua in Bucharest and hope Maccabi don’t beat German giants Schalke in Haifa.

“This was a very important victory for us. We approached the game with the sole aim of winning, since a draw meant we would be unable to qualify,” AEK’s interim manager Demetris Demetriou said afterwards.

“After going 2-0 up we didn’t want to risk anything. Maccabi pressured us, but we did well to protect our lead and deservedly won,” Demetriou added.

“The win is also important for us in terms of keeping the positive momentum going as we return to the local championship.

“Now we will fully focus on the league game against Ermis which should be the only game on our minds.”

AEK take on Ermis Aradippou on Monday night in the final game of Round 12 at the GSZ Stadium in Larnaca.

Last night, champions APOEL beat Anagennisi Deryneia x-x, while this afternoon at 6pm, Apollon face AEL in the Limassol derby, Enosis Neon Paralimni host league leaders Omonia and Olympiakos meet Anorthosis Ammochostos at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia.

Tomorrow at 5pm, Nea Salamina host Alki in another local derby, while an hour later Ethnikos Achnas take on Aris Limassol at the Dasaki Stadium in Achna.

 

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