Panathinaikos and PAOK hold firm to advance in European qualifiers

Panathnaikos and PAOK both held on strong to secure their place in the third round of European qualifying after progressing against Paksi and Dynamo Kyiv respectively.

The two teams both advanced their efforts to play European football this campaign by ensuring their place in the next round of qualifying, with PAOK displaying the more confident display by winning 2-0 on Friday morning (AEST).

The Thessaloniki side owed the victory to a double from playmaker Giannis Konstantelias, who scored either side of half time (45+1′, 48′), helping them win their Europa League qualifying tie 5-2 on aggregate.

Panathinaikos struggled more than their rivals as they came from behind twice to draw 2-2 in Athens, winning their Conference League qualifying tie 4-3 on aggregate.

Paksi put up a fight against the “Trifylli” and scored the game’s first goal in the 35th minute through Milan Peto, though it was quickly cancelled out by Adriano Jagusic (44′).

The Hungarian outfit then struck again in the 57th minute via Milan Gyorfi to once again go ahead in the match and draw the tie level on aggregate.

The Greens eventually scored once again through Elmin Rastoder in the 85th minute to keep their European qualification hopes alive.

Paphos overcame a two-goal deficit to advance to the Europa League’s third qualifying round after beating Hajduk Split 4-0 after extra time.

The Cypriot side entered the game two goals behind on aggregate, which they cancelled out in dramatic fashion after scoring towards the death of each half.

Their first goal arrived in the 40th minute via Guga and their second came in the 90+1st minute through David Goldar, forcing the tie into extra time.

Paphos then seized control of the tie as they scored in the 93rd minute through Biel and then again in the 117th minute through Joao Correira.

AEK Larnaca suffered a heartbreaking exit in the Conference League qualifying tie with Beitar Jerusalem after losing 4-3 in a penalty shootout.

The Larnaca outfit scored a 3-2 away win in regular time to force the tie into extra time.

They broke through via Hrvoke Milicevic (26′ pen, 52′) and Riar Bajic (90+2′), with their strikes enough to overcome Omer Atzil’s brace (45+2′ pen, 87′).

AEK Larnaca’s fortune ran out by the time they went to penalties, resigning them to no European football this season.

Omonia had similarly found themselves on the receiving end of a dramatic penalties loss when they fell to Kairat on Thursday morning in the Champions League qualifiers.

They lost the game 1-0 in regular time (bringing the tie 1-1) before losing 6-5 in the shootout to end their hopes of qualifying to the Champions League’s League Phase.

Apollon Limassol kept their Conference League qualification hopes well and truly alive when they beat Dila 3-0 at home on Wednesday morning, winning the tie 7-0 on aggregate.

The hosts made light work of their opponents with goals from Brandon Thomas (22′), Garry Rodrigues (62′) and Dani Escriche (90+2′) capping off a dominant display in their second qualifying round tie.

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