Hanging on by the Smallest Thread Now

Hanging on by the Smallest Thread Now

By Christian Leggas

 

Again, the Ethniki Omada has left their fans disappointed after failing to beat Kosovo in Pristina. Greece did look set to obtain the vital three points needed, but a last-gasp Vedat Muriqi equaliser ensured that the match ended in a draw.

 

Ethniki-manager John van't Schip set up the team with five at the back and two upfront. Long balls up to the strikers seemed to be the plan of attack early, as we were trapped inside our half for the majority of the first ten minutes.

 

The Ethniki failed to muster a single clear-cut shot as the first half was near its end. If there was one player who did at least try to give us some form of ominous forward-momentum for the majority of the first half, it was Manolis Siopis. His ever-present energy in midfield and an actual willingness to be quick going forward is something he deserves a pat on the back for in terms of effort. The problem was, he didn't have many friends in that department.

 

The half-time scoreline had nil-nil written all over it until some moments of undoubted quality were on full display. Captain Anastasios Bakasetas did superbly well to bring the ball under control in midfield. The skipper's build-up play only got better from there as he then slid through a delightful defence-splitting pass to Anastasios Douvikas, whose finish was even better to give Greece the one-goal advantage heading into the break.

 

The Ethniki seemed to start the second half with more possession and confidence, with more affective pressing a theme early on. But, a lack of potency up front in the way of clear-cut chances was still very evident. The opportunity for Vangelis Pavlidis to put through Manolis Siopis was the most dangerous we looked in the second half when it came to trying to obtain goal number two. The attack, unfortunately, came to nothing ultimately as Pavlidis shifted the ball to his left instead of centrally, slowing down and then ending the opportunity as it turned out.

 

As mentioned, Greece looked like they'd done enough to leave Kosovo with three points with barely a minute to play when disaster struck. Failure to block Kosovan attacker Zymer Bytyqi's cross allowed him to whip in a dangerous ball, which Dimitris Giannoulis assumed was going behind harmlessly for a goal kick. But his lack of awareness would partly cost the Ethniki dearly, as Kosovan defender Florent Hadergjonaj was able to nod the ball back into the danger zone for Vedat Miriqui to attack, and eventually, break Greek hearts with the equalising goal for the home team.

 

That was the final action of the match, which meant that again, Greece dropped crucial points in a must-win competitive encounter.

 

Only three points will be acceptable in terms of a result next time out, as the Ethniki host the in-form Sweden, who are without a doubt high on confidence beating Spain in their most recent World-Cup qualifying match.

 

Creating one clear goalscoring opportunity for the match, albeit a very well-taken one, will certainly not cut it against Sweden. John van't Schip will need to think of a different formation and perhaps a change in personnel is absolutely necessary if we are to win our next match. Sure he hasn't been aided by our many injuries to regular players, but that was no excuse for the way we ultimately let another win go in this game, purely and simply, it wasn't good enough, in all departments.

Hellas Football 

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