Volos secured a huge upset over Panathinaikos in an atrocious evening for the Greens.
The Magnesia team ended their nine-match winless streak in all competitions on Monday morning (AEDT) with a 3-1 home victory over the Athenians in one of two Round 17 matches of the Greek Super League not to be postponed.
The visitors began the half strongly when Volos striker Tom Van Weert pounced on a poor pass-back by defender Giannis Kotsiras to goalkeeper Alberto Brignoli, striking the ball from a tight angle into an empty net (34’).
The Greens’ night went from bad to worse when left back Facundo Sanchez was given a straight red card (44’) for stepping on midfielder Jean Barrientos.
Tom Van Weert struck again after he latched onto a deflected pass into the box and side-footed the ball past a tentative Brignoli (76’), taking him to top scorer in the league with ten goals.
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Panathinaikos earned a late consolation after winger Sebastian Palacios converted a penalty in the 90+3rd minute before Volos midfielder Nicolas Oroz scored again for the home side, guiding the ball into an empty net (90+5’) after Brignoli advanced past his box.
OFI fought hard to earn a 1-1 home draw against PAS Giannina on Sunday morning, needing a late equaliser despite their dominance throughout the match.
The Cretans had the lion’s share of chances but it was Giannina who scored first after a strong run from striker Juan Jose Perea, who scored from a tight angle by tucking it under goalkeeper Boy Waterman’s legs (54’).
The home side were running out of time when a strong piece of fortune came their way. Defender Rodrigo Erramuspe gave away an own goal (90+3’) after deflecting in a shot by OFI attacking midfielder Adil Rami into his own net.
The following five fixtures scheduled this weekend were all postponed due to COVID-19: Aris-Atromitos, Ionikos-Apollon Smyrnis, AEK-PAOK, Olympiacos-Asteras Tripolis and Panetolikos-Lamia.
Greece Super League Ladder (number of matches played in brackets)
1-Olympiacos: 42 (16)
2-AEK: 33 (16)
3-PAOK: 28 (15)
4-Panathinaikos: 26 (16)
5-PAS Giannina: 26 (17)
6-OFI: 23 (16)
7-Aris: 21 (16)
8-Asteras Tripolis: 20 (16)
9-Volos: 18 (15)
10-Panetolikos: 15 (15)
11-Ionikos: 14 (16)
12-Lamia: 11 (16)
13-Atromitos: 9 (15)
14-Apollon Smyrnis: 8 (13)
Round 18 matches currently scheduled at time of publication (all times AEDT)
Lamia-Ionikos: 02.15, Sun 16 Jan
PAOK-OFI: 04.30, Sun 16
Apollon Smyrnis-Aris: 04.30, Sun 16 Jan
Asteras Tripolis-Volos: 00.00, Mon 17 Jan
AEK-Panetolikos: 02.15, Mon 17 Jan
PAS Giannina-Atromitos: 04.30, Mon 17 Jan
Panathinaikos-Olympiacos: 04.30, Mon 17 Jan