Chalov and Ozdoev are almost in the Europa League. But, Fedor, you just can’t take a penalty like that!
Georgy Ilyushchenko August 22, 2024, 23:15 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
Shamrock Rovers, sorry, you are not a competitor of PAOK.
PAOK failed to qualify for the Champions League against Swedish side Malmö and were relegated to the European Cup qualifiers with a lower position. Moreover, in Fedor Chalov’s debut match, the Greeks were awaiting Irish side Shamrock Rovers, whose entire squad is estimated at a modest €4.28 million (compared to PAOK’s €100.4 million). If you can’t beat such an opponent, why fight for Europe? The Greeks, apparently, will complete the task.
Last weekend, PAOK faced Panserraikos (3-2). Chalov hit the crossbar and won a penalty, which earned him the man of the match award. Razvan Lucescu didn’t mind: he left the striker on the bench with Shamrock. But Magomed Ozdoev, who scored the goal, started as usual. Thank you for that too.
The Greeks, of course, attacked much more and scored much more often. However, they only managed to score in the 41st minute, and it was Ozdoev who was involved in the scoring combination: he gave a penetrating pass into the penalty area to the Spanish winger Honny Otto, so that the combination was completed with a powerful strike by former Chelsea player Abdul-Rahman Baba. The problem is that Honny committed a foul and the VAR confirmed it. Although, apparently, the Irishman tripped over his own foot.
Otto’s foul led to Baba’s goal being disallowed
Photo by: PAOK
In the 45+4 minute, video replays were no longer of help to Shamrock: Andrija Zivkovic turned the ball in from the left flank and central defender Lee Grace accidentally shot himself in the jump. As the kids say, when something still happens that was unfairly overlooked, “the truth has come true.”
At the start of the second half, PAOK were left to their own devices: Tyson recalled his best moments at Shakhtar, quickly outpacing his opponents and firing a powerful shot into the nearest corner. The Brazilian should have scored a devastating goal there, but missed from the 11-meter mark after a pass from Konstantelias.
PAOK had a hard time getting going, but defeat seemed to be just a matter of time. Honogan came close, receiving a second yellow card for an elbow to the face in the 52nd minute. Do you know how the first one was earned? For a long time I couldn’t find the recipient when throwing out and was punished for taking too long. Halfway through the first half, it was still 0-0. Genius!
There is still one Russian in the Champions League qualification:
Two Russians and Mourinho were eliminated from the Champions League. Major national team events
In the 64th minute, the injured Brandon Thomas was replaced by Chalov. He soon put pressure on the Irishman on the left flank, passing the ball to Taison. He passed to Konstantelias: it was 3-0 and he passed before Fedor scored.
He could have scored himself, but instead he cleverly fired his header straight into the centre. It was noticeable that his form was far from ideal: at times the Russian acted inappropriately and suffered unnecessary losses. But no one expects him to be productive in every match.
chalov moment
Photo by: PAOK
It was not enough for PAOK and Despodov deserved a penalty. Chalov and Coulierakis, who will soon move to Wolfsburg, immediately headed for the ball. The Russian earned the right to take the 11-metre shot. And he did it terribly: a low shot down the centre was saved by Leon Pöls and the post prevented him from scoring. Terrible bad luck.
It’s a good thing that we managed to make amends quickly: it was Fedor who was finished off by Baba in the final attack. The teams finished there. PAOK players have gained a comfortable lead and will travel to Ireland as tourists. It’s a pity that Chalov’s first goal in Greece has to be postponed again.
