By: Peter Katsiris
Asteras Tripolis played to another scoreless draw on Sunday, as Panthrakikos picked up a valuable point in Tripolis. The Arcadian club had plenty of chances to secure maximum points at home, but poor finishing eluded Asteras' strikers of goals on this night.
With manager Carlos Carvalhal's future with the club very foggy, the Portuguese boss was urged to guide to his side to victory. With the mood not right throughout the Asteras camp, it was Panthrakikos who took control of the game in the early stages.
Sito Riera had the first chance of the match, but the Spaniard scuffed his opening minute opportunity when he sent his breakaway effort over Georgios Abaris' goal. Just after a quarter of an hour of play in Tripoli, Panthrakikos attacked again; this time through Sergio Ponce. The Argentine looked certain to score until Abaris blocked Ponce's hard shot.
Asteras finally had their first chance of the match, but Danijel Cesarec's effort was easily saved by Spyros Vrontaras.
It wasn't until the second half that Asteras got another chance to break the deadlock. By now the hosts were dominating the match, but Petros Kanakoudis was unable to stamp Asteras' authority on the match with his forty-eighth minute effort narrowly missing the left post.
With only fifteen minutes left in the match, Horacio Cardozo tried to put Tripolis in the clear. The Argetine produced a volleyed effort, but again Vrontaras was equal to the task.
Held for another tie, Asteras continues to slip down the Super League standings. Now, with just eight points, Asteras finds itself in a three-way log jam for the last relegation spot. Panthrakikos, meanwhile, can be happy with the point as their season tally rises to eleven.
The next seven days could defy a lot for Asteras, as the 'Kitrino-Ble' are expected to make many changes ahead of next weekend's match with Aris in Thessaloniki. Panthrakikos also faces a tough test, as an all-Thracian battle with Panthrakikos hosting local rivals Skoda Xanthi.
Asteras Tripolis 0-0 Panthrakikos
Yellow Cards:
Asteras Tripolis - Cardozo 47', Bastia 63'.
Panthrakikos - Oliseh 21', Stoikos 38', Riera 42', Vrontaras 73'.
Asteras Tripolis (Carlos Carvlahal): Abaris, Flavio, Kanakoudis (85' Kambourov), Fitanidis, Lazaridis, Basita, Cardozo, Damonte (46' Urribarri), Filomeno, Zairi (24' Douala), Cesarec.
Panthrakikos (Emilio Ferrera): Vrontaras, Zapropoulos, Robson, Riera, Ponce, Kanotidis, Bevacqua, Stoikos (90' Argyriou), Oliseh, Velasco, Lopes.
Referee: Ilias Mazarakos
Venue: Asteras Tripolis Stadium, Tripolis, Greece
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