The 28 year old Apostolos Giannou, who grew up playing much of his junior and youth football in Melbourne, has rediscovered some long awaited goal scoring form of late scoring goals in three consecutive matches, the latest of which helped his new team qualify for the semi-finals of the Cypriot Cup.
After a slow start to his playing career at AEK, since his January move from Chinese Super League club Guangzhou R & F, Giannou has now made eight appearances for AEK for a return of three goals, two of which were scored in the two legged quarter final cup tie against PAEEK, and the other coming the 2-2 league draw against Anorthosis. This week, fourth placed AEK faces its biggest test of the season with an away trip to league leader APOEL Nicosia.
The goals have come as a relief for the five time capped Giannou who is looking for a way back into Socceroo contention. Giannou last represented Australia in October 2016 under coach Postecoglou. He didn’t feature in Van Marwijk’s recent 29 man squad for the upcoming friendlies against Norway and Columbia. However, when announcing his squad, Van Marwijk indicated that the selection door remains ajar for those not selected for the March window international friendlies.
Giannou first came to national attention as the object of an intriguing international tug of war between Australia and Greece, before he decided to throw his lot in with Australia, and being rewarded with his first Socceroos cap. But his failure to score at international level, his limited game time in China, and the emergence of Tommy Juric as Australia’s first choice striker, has seen Giannou drop out of favour with the Socceroo selectors.