Melbourne Club PAOK Inc. - The official PAOK Thessaloniki Supporters Club of Australia

30-11-2005 UEFA Cup Group G: Game 3

AFC Rapid Bucuresti

1 - 0

PAOK Thessaloniki

PAOK's slim hopes of qualifying for the next stage of the Uefa Cup ended when they were defeated by Rapid Bucharest 1-0.
PAOK created the first real goalscoring chance in the 15th minute when a shot from Polish striker Mielcel fell into Rapid's goalkeeper's arms. Moments later Keeper Daniel Fernandez was on his toes as he held a powerful shot from Maldarasanu. Rapid was putting PAOK under pressure but Fernandez was at PAOK's rescue once again. In the 40th minute he tipped Buga's right footed shot for a corner. Moments earlier PAOK suffered a setback when Theodoros Zagorakis was forced to be substituted after curcoming to injury. PAOK seemed like it was going hold on for a draw at half time but injury time Guy Armando Futsini gave away a free kick outside the penalty area in injury time. That was to prove costly as Maldarasanu fired in the ball in the top right hand corner to give Rapid a 1-0 lead.
PAOK began the second half brightly as they pushed forward looking for an equaliser. Miecel fired narrolwly wide from long range and Hristodoulopoulos long range effort was held on by Rapid's keeper Coman. At the other end Nicalae headed just wide of the target from a Badoi free kick. In the 76th minute had it's last chance on goal as the chance went begging when Dionisis Hasiotis headed wide from a Charalambous corner. In the end PAOK suffered a 1-0 loss and have gone 11 games without a win in Europe.

PAOK'S COACH GIORGOS KOSTIKOS PRESS CONFERENCE: This was a good game played by both teams under difficult circumstances due to the weather. We conceded a goal at a crucial stage of the game and we could have avoided this situation. In the second half we played better and we created chances. However we have to capitalise on our chances.
This is the first time PAOK has played Sunday - Thursday and it took a toll on the players. I want to congratulate the PAOK fans who came it today to support the team. As for Zagorakis we will find out tomorrow on the extent of his injury.