IRAKLIS VS AEL: IN A THRILLING ENCOUNTER, AEL CLINCHES A NARROW VICTORY AT KAFTANZOGIO STADIUM
THESSALONIKI - The highly anticipated football match between Iraklis and AEL (Larissa) lived up to its billing, showcasing moments of brilliance and controversy. The final score read 1-2, with AEL capitalizing on pivotal moments to take home the victory.
The match, part of the Super League 2's A’ group on December 14, 2024, saw the home team Iraklis take the lead early on. Miranta opened the scoring with remarkable skill, firing the ball past the AEL goalkeeper to put the hosts 1-0 up just 24 minutes in. Supporters at Kaftanzoglio Stadium erupted with joy as hopes of victory seemed strong.
Iraklis’s good fortune, unfortunately, was short-lived. Just six minutes later, disaster struck when Bertolio received his marching orders following a reckless challenge on AEL's Stina. The red card left Iraklis with ten men, sharply altering the matchup's dynamics.
After the red card incident, AEL seized the initiative. Yet, the first half closed with scores remaining unbalanced. It wasn’t until the dying moments of the first half, precisely at 45+5 minutes, when AEL’s Giannis Pasas equalized. Reacting to Iraklis's defensive error, Pasas slotted the ball home, leveling the score at 1-1.
With the second half underway, AEL continued to press, taking full advantage of their numerical superiority. Their efforts bore fruit as they struck again just three minutes before the final whistle, with Pasas scoring again, completing his brace and sealing AEL's dramatic comeback with another well-placed header. The ecstatic away fans celebrated as AEL walked away with the full three points, reinforcing their position at the top of the league table.
The victory not only stretched AEL’s unbeaten streak but also pushed them 11 points clear of their closest competitors. This remarkable performance ensures they stay firmly rooted at the top with 35 points from 13 matches.
After the match, tensions boiled over as Iraklis expressed their displeasure with the officiation. A club statement sharply criticized the decisions made by referee Georgios Kokkinos. They expressed their intent for the head of refereeing, Stefan Lanoua, to address the match’s referee performance publicly.
“We first want to thank Mr. Lanoua for accepting our invitation,” the statement read. “But now it’s time he speaks publicly to explain what he saw. We’ve been requesting for some time now the evaluation of this match, but we felt ignored. The appointment of inexperienced referees has significantly impacted the championship.”
Iraklis now faces the tough task of regrouping after this disappointing loss, hoping to regain their momentum as they prepare for their next fixtures. Coach Dermitzakis and his players will be aiming for redemption as they look to bounce back and remain competitive within the league.
AEL, on the other hand, will look to build on this momentum, focusing on maintaining their undefeated run as they prepare for upcoming matches. It is clear they are hungry for success this season with their eyes set firmly on promotion, bolstered by their impressive form and discipline.
Overall, the encounter between Iraklis and AEL was not short of excitement and drama, and it serves as yet another chapter in the storied rivalry between these two clubs aiming for glory. Supporters from both sides will undoubtedly be eager for the rematch, as the league continues to progress.
Next up for Iraklis is to focus on training and refining their strategies, as future matches hold high stakes. Meanwhile, AEL seems poised to continue their challenge for domination within the league.
