Algerian striker Raffik Djebbour sealed AEK’s 1-0 away win to Dundee United with an 11th minute strike. AEK had further chances to increase its lead, with none closer than Socceroo Nathan Burns’ attempt 10 minutes from time.

Greece’s two Thessalonica representatives PAOK and Aris both registered 1-0 home wins, defeating Fenerbache and Austria Wien respectively.

Dundee United (SCO) 0 – AEK 1

Scottish Cup winners Dundee United were no match for AEK, as the ‘Enosis’ continued its fantastic European record in Scotland, adding Dundee to its list of scalps which also includes Rangers FC and Hearts.

AEK got off to the best possible start after Djebbour converted Nacho Scocco’s penetrating cross from the left, with the Algerian doing well to control the low and hard ball.

Dundee’s best chance fell to striker Jon Daly but the United forward could not hit the target after finding space in the box.

At the other end a wasteful Grigoris Makos blasted well over the bar nine minutes before the break after the scorer of the opening goal looked to turn provider, with Djebbour showing his creative side.

But the Greek side continued to have the better of the chances with Leonardo twice going close after the break.

Aussie Nathan Burns almost doubled AEK’s lead when he came on for the injured Leonardo.

 As AEK went in search of a second goal, the in-form Burns came agonisingly close with 10 minutes left to play when Burns was inches away from turning home a Scocco cross.

AEK coach Dusan Bajevic said he was pleased with the performance but disappointed that his players did not get a second goal. He warned that the tie was not over and that AEK would have to concentrate at the Olympic Stadium in Athens next week.

“We will have to be careful because our opponents will play with freedom,” he said. “They are quick, strong and did not play as well as they could today, certainly based on what I had seen of Dundee.”

PAOK 1 – Fenerbache (TUR) 0

Ten-man PAOK got a hard-fought 1-0 win thanks to Vierinha who got the only goal of the game early in the first-half.

The home side had to play with a man less for more than half an hour after Vitolo was shown a red card in the second-half.

Vierinha connected sweetly with a first-time volley after a tempting cross from Avis Boussaidi in the 20th minute.

The goal boosted the home side as they went in search of a second. But PAOK were not able to turn their possession to their advantage and were soon focusing on defence.

Vitolo was sent off in the 58th minute after picking up a second yellow card and PAOK had to rely on some agile goalkeeping by Dario Kresic to keep a clean sheet and a goal advantage to take to Istanbul next week.

“We were better for most of the game and deserved the win,” said goal hero Vierinha. “We showed what we can do in the first half and have to be just as focused in Istanbul.”

Aris 1 – Austria Wien (AUT) 0

Aris was made to wait as late as the 93rd minute for a goal from substitute Carlos Ruiz, who gave the Macedonian side the ascendancy in the tie against Austria Wien.

The Guatemalan summer signing latched onto a header by Sergio Koke, as he poked home from close range sending the capacity crowd into raptures.

The respective goal keepers were called into action early after Wien’s Heinz Lindner and Aris’ Michalis Sifakis made a save each in the games opening moments.

But despite the flair on display in the first minutes, the game quickly descended into a cagey affair with many more fouls than shots on goal.

Perhaps unaccustomed to the 40 degree heat, the Austrians four yellow cards in the first half but had the best chance, hitting the post once.

The return leg in Vienna is on August 26.