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The “colourless” and “tasteless” Katastari of the first half became a “beast” in the second half.The islanders ‘woke up’ in the second half and playing with overwhelming passion and soul managed to keep, the favourite, Aspropyrgos and take a precious point in their effort this year.
What a match. Even the stands felt the intense emotion, the first time that supporters were at the grounds, reminiscent of the good old times of Zakynthos in national leagues. And all this because they can see that this years effort of the team is clean. A game that will be remembered as one of the best played at this historic stadium.
The visitors clearly a better team, from the beginning imposed their rhythm and with “good morning”, at 3′, went ahead in the score with the “usual suspect” Stavrou, who took advantage of the neglect of defence, from very close sent the ball into the net of Drakopoulos to open the score. This goal “froze” the hosts who could not find their pace on the pitch.
The lines of Katastari were long and there was a problem in midfield. From 20′ onwards, the Katastari technician changed the formation, taking Pettas from position 10 to his normal position (8), moved Tilipoulos from the midfield to the right edge of attack and Kardaris to position 10. From 25′ onwards, Katastari began to balance the game and slowly and methodically “build” its own game.
Aspropyrgos had the upper hand in the match and kept the Katastari attackers away from his area. At 30′ the guests requested a penalty shot when Tsoukalas fell in the area but referee, Mr. Athanasios, showed a yellow card to the Aspropyrgos player. From then on there were no phases, the islanders had balanced the match but could not seem threatening.
In the second half the guests had a great opportunity to double their goals when a free kick of Natsiopoulos was repelled with difficulty by Dracopoulos, then Doukakis, up close, misses, throwing a great opportunity away. The answer for Katastari came at 50′ with Panagopoulos sending a centre for Kapsaskis who, from the small area, was not able to catch the header, to send the ball to Katsoulis’ nets, which he firmly blocked.
As time went by, Petta raised his performance and with him the whole of the Katastari team. At 57′ the young midfielder, with a beautiful goal, scored the equalizer of 1-1. The phase started from the centre of Panagopoulos, where Kapsaskis got the ball, with his chest, to Raphael Petta and the latter, with an implausible left shot, sent the ball to Katsoulis’ net, for his team.
The goal gave “wings” to the feet of the players of Katastari who completely dominated the pitch. At 59′, a huge opportunity was lost for Katastari to turn the game with Petta, in a spectacular move from the right, to centre the ball for the upcoming Kapsaskis, who does not anticipate it by a second, to put the ball in to the empty nets. An incredible phase for the hosts.
The contrast of emotions continuously alternating, constantly. At 64′, the stadium once again ‘froze’, when Petropoulos in his first contact with the ball took full advantage of the defensive error and made it 1-2 for the team of Aspropyrgos.
The visitors didn’t have time to celebrate the goal when the immediate response came for the islanders, a minute later, when once again Petta will get the ball, putting a centre in the heart of defence of Aspropyrgos, there Kostas Tiliopoulos will take advantage of the mistake and confusion within the defence and with a 2nd attempt will send the ball in the net, bringing the game back to 2-2, in frantic celebrations.
The “thermometer” of anxiety hit red for both teams and benches, it really was crazy. The islanders returned to keep 2-2 against a quality team like Aspropyrgos. The team of Katastari tried to win the ball, with the dangerous Matthew Kapsaskis, who did a great game.
At 83′ a tremendous opportunity for Katastari was lost when Kapsaskis beat Tsoukalas in a personal duel, to come out on side in a tet-a-tet with Katsouli but the phase will not finish correctly by shooting over the goalkeeper 0f Aspropyrgos. At 86′ the guests lost a unique opportunity to take the match Petropoulos wins the battle and passes, the ball goes sadisticaly towards the area Drakopoulos neutralises it, Kourellas will send it away before the ball crosses the line.
At 90′ it was the time of Thanassis Drakopoulos to hold upright his team when Stagakis takes the centre for Diatia who will catch the header, with Drakopoulos giving the ball a blocking save before passing the line. Great intervention by the experienced keeper. In the remaining minutes, of delays, nothing exciting happened so the final whistle of referee Athanasios found both two teams with a 2-2 draw.
Referees: Athanasios (Arta), Tsilikas, Suzas (Aitoloakarnania).
KATASTARI: (Dimitris Nolis): Dracopoulos Panagopoulos Brilakis, Sotiropoulos, Karvounis (90+6′ Drossos), Kourellas, Tiliopoulos (90 + 4′ Skourtai) Kapsaski (90+1′ Korfiatis) Pettas, Mezini, Kardaris (74′ Maroudas M.I.)
Bench: Maroudas, Drossos, Skourtai, Tamaresis, Korfiatis, Metaxas, Mousai.
ASPROPYRGOS: (George Vazakas) Katsoulis, Tsoukalas (85′ Nikolaos), Stagakis, Pantelidis, Zonas, Vassiliou, Loukakis, Stavrou, Natsiopoulos (71′ Karalis), Diata, Vaz Mendes (63 ‘Petropoulos).
Bench: Hatzivasilakis, Prikas, Petropoulos, Fylaktos, Nikolaos, Karalis, Dilaveris
Sources: Photos – https://www.imerazante.gr/2019/02/10/190319. Report – https://ermisnews.gr/σεβασμός-σε-αυτόν-τον-αοκ-2-2-με-ασπρόπυρ/
