
Panathinaikos beats Aris 2-1 |
ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- Midfielder Costas Katsouranis scored a late goal to lead Panathinaikos Athens to a 2-1 victory over visiting Aris. Aris had taken the lead late in the first half through Brazilian defender Ronaldo Guiaro only to let Panathinaikos back into the game soon after through an own goal by Sebastian Abreu. The victory left Panathinaikos as the only team in the league with a perfect record after four rounds. The Athenians have 12 points, four ahead of Asteras who beat host Panionios 3-1 on Saturday. Five teams, including defending champion Olympiakos, have 7 points. Panathinaikos attacked from the start, but it was Aris who looked more dangerous on the counterattack and often tested the home side's shaky defense. Aris opened the scoring in the 37th minute when Guiaro headed home Cristian Nasuti's cross. Five minutes later, Panathinaikos equalized when Abreu redirected a Sebastian Leto free kick into his own net. The second half was played at the same fast pace, but play was often rough, forcing referee Michael Dakos to caution nine players. Aris came close to retaking the lead in the 52nd, but Abreu missed the target with only goalkeeper Alexandros Tzorvas to beat. In the 83rd, forward Dimitris Salpingidis made a run from the right wing and crossed to Katsouranis who scored the winner from close range. Olympiakos snatched victory at PAOK Thessaloniki thanks to a last-minute goal by defender Avraam Papadopoulos. The hosts took an early lead when Portuguese midfielder Vierinha headed home Olivier Sorlin's 10th minute corner. Olympiakos equalized in the 41st when Vassilis Torosidis invited Brazilian forward Diogo to head home with a perfectly placed cross. Despite losing its best forward, Bosnian striker Zlatan Muslimovic, through injury, PAOK twice came close to scoring. In the 75th, Bruno Cirillo headed just wide of goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis' right post and Argentinian forward Lucio Filomeno blasted a shot onto the cross bar in the 76th. In the 90th minute, Torosidis headed the ball across PAOK's goal for Papadopoulos to nod home from close range. In other matches Sunday, it was: Giannena 1, AEK 1; Levadiakos 2, Ergotelis 2; Xanthi 1, Panthrakikos 0. Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ![]() | ![]()
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