Petric heads Panathinaikos into the third spot

By George Georgakopoulos

Panathinaikos scored a hard-fought win at Panetolikos on Thursday to close the gap from Super League leader PAOK to six points and to just one point from perennial rival Olympiakos.

The Greens scored their first win at Panetolikos in almost four decades thanks to an 81st-minute header by Croatian striker Mladen Petric from a Nano corner kick, for the game’s only goal. This was the fourth straight league win for Panathinaikos, climbing to the third place.

However the 1-0 result does not do the match at Agrinio much justice as the two teams had plenty of goal-scoring chances and even hit the woodwork twice between them.

OFI secured bragging rights in Iraklio through its 1-0 win over crosstown rival Ergotelis at home. A spot kick by Carlos Milhazes seven minutes into time added on gave OFI three vital points in front of the eyes of the Italian candidate investors that its coach, Gennaro Gattuso brought over to Crete.

Finally Asteras Tripolis defeated bottom team Niki Volou 2-0 away courtesy of goals by Tasos Bakasetas and Pablo Mazza, and has risen to the fourth spot.