Dull cup semis produce just one goal
With just one goal scored in two matches for the semifinals of the Greek Cup on Wednesday, Olympiakos and Asteras Tripolis have gained a small advantage as they aim for a spot in the final.
Olympiakos defeated OFI Crete by just 1-0 in Piraeus as it had to wait until the 81st minute to score through central defender Olof Mellberg. The depleted Reds faced a below-strength OFI team that only had defense in its collective mind.
The hosts’ dominance (78 percent ball possession) would have come to nothing had it not been for a free-kick by Pablo Orbaiz that Mellberg turned in with a header.
“I would have wanted another goal,» said Olympiakos manager Ernesto Valverde in the post-match press conference.
At Peristeri, local Atromitos and Asteras played out a goalless draw that leaves the semifinal wide open.
The match was even duller than that at the Karaiskakis Stadium. Atromitos had no more than 10 good minutes in the game as the Asteras defense was impenetrable.
The Tripoli side could have clinched it in the end, but Rogerio failed to find the target in his effort.
Both second legs will take place on April 4.
