SPORTS

AEK thrashes Larissa to reach quarterfinals

AEK became the sixth team to advance to the quarterfinals of the Greek Cup on Thursday through a 4-0 triumph at Larissa. The Ethnikos Asteras vs Diagoras and Iraklis vs Kerkyra ties will go to replays next month.

AEK badly needed a victory to come out of the crisis the recent results in the league and in Europe had plunged them into, and got exactly that at the AEL FC Arena.

Ismael Blanco gave AEK the lead at the 38th minute although his goal was suspicious for offside.

Defender Nikos Georgeas made it 2-0 at the 53rd thanks to a wonderful pass by veteran Nikos Liberopoulos for his first ever goal for AEK in his 10 years at the club.

Raffik Djebbour scored the third at the 76th with a header from a Nacho Scocco corner.

Another defender, Costas Manolas thundered the ball into the net at the 86th minute to complete Larissa?s routing, its third defeat in as many games at their new ground.

Iraklis and Kerkyra played out a 1-1 draw in Thessaloniki and will meet again at Corfu.

Thanassis Tsingas gave Kerkyra the lead at the 79th, although he seemed to control the ball with his arm before scoring, and Romanian striker Viktoras Jacob equalized for Iraklis at the 86th from the penalty spot.

The all-second-division tie between Ethnikos Asteras and Diagoras also finished 1-1.

Mamary Traore headed the ball in at the 74th the hosts at Kaisariani, but Petros Zouroudis gave the answer for Diagoras from a direct free kick two minutes later.

Both replays are scheduled for January 12. The draw for the quarterfinals as well as the semifinals will take place on December 29.

Subscribe to our Newsletters

Enter your information below to receive our weekly newsletters with the latest insights, opinion pieces and current events straight to your inbox.

By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.