Greece’s captain Tasos Bakasetas was again the man of the moment when he put his team 0-1 up in Pristina, Kosovo, for their second UEFA Nation’s League Division C group win.
Last week, a lone Bakasetas goal against Northern Ireland opened Greece’s account in the competition and his goal against Kosovo ensured his team lead the group on six points, with Kosovo three points behind, courtesy of their 0-2 defeat of Cyprus last Thursday.
On Sunday night, Cyprus managed a goalless draw against visitors Northern Ireland, both on 1 point, but prop the bottom of the group on goal difference.
For Greece it was a second away-victory, courtesy of Bakasetas whose left-foot volley gave them the lead in the 36th minute in Kosovo. Kathimerini reported that the Greeks were far more adventurous in attack than they had been in Belfast last week.
Giorgos Masouras came close to scoring in the 52nd minute when his cross hit the goalpost.
The Kosovans had nine shots on goal with their most dangerous effort, by Amir Rrahmani, dealt with by Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos.
The Greeks dominated possession and completed 521 passes to Kosovo’s 355 and were also more accurate with their passing.
It was a far from clean match with the ref giving marching orders to two Kosovan players, Fidan Aliti (72nd minute) and Arijanet Muric (91). Two players from each team received yellow cards.
Meanwhile, it was not the expected plain sailing Northern Ireland had hoped for on their travels when they failed to penetrate the Cyprus goaline at the AEK Arena in Larnaca.
Ali McCann came the closest to scoring but failed to convert a cross from Conor McMenamin when just four metres from the Cyprus goal.
BelfastLive reported that Cyprus’s defensive midfielder Fanos Katelaris came close to scoring with his powerful long-range effort cannoning off the crossbar. Marinos Tzionis also came close only to be denied by Northern Ireland (and Burnley) shot-stopper Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
Cyprus travel to play Greece at 4.45am (AEST) on Friday, 10 June. They then travel to Northern Ireland to play at 11pm (AEST) on 12 June. Greece host Kosovo on 4.45am (AEST) on 13 June.