Greece 3 - Romania 1

Photo by Aris Messinis

Romania were the visitors for the first leg of their playoff series with Greece.  The crowd in Piraeus was treated to a surprisingly offensive match.  A Greek free kick was played to Dimitrios Salpingidis, who then chipped over the three-man offside trap to Kostas Mitroglou.  Mitroglou had plenty of work left to do with his finish, but his volley with the outside of his foot was well struck into the net.  Dimitrios Siovas nearly scored on a second free kick in as many minutes, but his header was held by Romania goalkeeper Bogdan Lobant.  The massive traveling support of 2,000 fans had an equalizer to cheer soon thereafter.  A Gabriel Torje free kick was bent perfectly to the back post, floating over the goalkeeper in the process.  Bogdan Stancu rose into the heavens to head home from a sharp angle to equalize.  The Greeks immediately responded off the kickoff.  A run up the right flank from Vasileios Torosidis was rewarded with a long pass reception.  Torosidis first-timed a slotted pass across the six-yard box.  Salpingidis slid at the back post and kicked the ball in for 2-1.  Greece would lead by that 2-1 scoreline at the conclusion of the opening period.

A beautiful set piece goal for Greece came midway through the second period.  Giorgios Samaras (pictured, blue) sent a ball into the box that was flicked on by Kostas Katsouranis from his knees.  Mitroglou was able to smack another volley that found the back of the net to but the Greeks ahead 3-1.  Mitroglou nearly completed a hat trick in his club's home stadium as he beat the offside trap, but his backheel shot attempt was parried away by Lobant.  Romania substitute Costin Lazar found a way to pick up two yellow cards as a second-half substitute, earning a stoppage time ejection.  Romania finished with ten men.  On a last second corner kick, Samaras headed over the crossbar.  Greece win the first leg 3-1.

Goals
Greece
Kostas Mitroglou 14, 66
Dimitrios Salpingidis 20

Romania
Bogdan Stancu 19

Match Reports:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24862470
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/11/15/5109002/greece-vs-romania-uefa-world-cup-playoffs-2013-final-score-result
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=2224397/index.html?intcmp=newsreader_news_box_3
http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Greece-beats-Romania-3-1-in-World-Cup-playoff-4986025.php

Highlights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBTtF8x9ltk