Last-gasp Giannakopoulos checks Aris
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Article summary
Bolton Wanderers FC 1-1 Aris Thessaloniki FC The English side salvaged a draw through an added-time equaliser from their Greek midfielder.
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Bolton Wanderers FC struck in the final minute of added time to earn a home point against Aris Thessaloniki FC in UEFA Cup Group F.
Greeks denied
Stelios Giannakopoulos scored in the 93rd minute to grab a draw after the Greek visitors had taken a deserved first-half lead through Antonio Calvo. The result leaves Bolton on three points from three games with Aris on four from two.
Visiting enterprise
Playing neat football, Aris started strongly and consistently threatened down the right side through Calvo and Neto. They teamed up to provide Sergio Koke with an early headed opportunity which he could not direct towards goal and then Koke's lay-off was guided just wide by Diogo Siston after another enterprising break from Neto.
Deserved lead
The English club were finding it difficult to get into the game and only had a couple of half-chances to show for their opening half-hour's work including a Kevin Davies header after being set up by Giannakopoulos. However, Aris gained a merited advantage a minute before the break when Abdoulaye Méïté's half-clearance fell invitingly to Calvo who volleyed home from just inside the penalty box.
Best chance
Bolton though should have equalised on the stroke of half-time when Danny Guthrie's corner was flicked on by Davies and Andy O'Brien somehow managed to head against the crossbar from less than five metres out. The home side began the second half with far more urgency but could not carve out a clear-cut opportunity.
Pressure
Aris started to sit back and the Premier League outfit put them under pressure througout the last 20 minutes. Kevin Nolan squandered two decent invitations to score and it looked as if the Thessalonika team might hold on to win until Nicky Hunt's long ball fell to Giannakopoulos who calmly stroked in the equaliser.