Panathinaikos beat Kifisia 2-1 in a rearranged first-round fixture of the Stoiximan Super League, with Argentine forward Diego Tabórda converting a penalty in the 81st minute to seal the win.
Panathinaikos are one of Greece's most successful clubs, traditionally regarded as one of the country's "big three" alongside Olympiacos and AEK Athens, and are based in Athens. Kifisia, a smaller club based just north of the Greek capital, also competes in the Super League, Greece's top professional football division, whose champion each season qualifies for the UEFA Champions League.
The first half finished goalless, though Panathinaikos created some good chances. The deadlock broke early in the second half, with the side coached by Jacob Neestrup taking the lead. In the 53rd minute, Antino ran into the Kifisia box from the left and squared the ball to Kangwa, who finished neatly into the corner past goalkeeper Ramires to make it 1-0.
Kifisia reduced to ten men
Kifisia's task got harder in the 63rd minute when defender Zolibua was sent off for a second yellow card after fouling Livaja, leaving his side to play the rest of the match a man down. Seven minutes later, Tabórda struck the post twice within seconds of each other for Panathinaikos.
Despite playing with ten men, Kifisia levelled the score in the 73rd minute. Van Dongelen made a major error attempting to clear the ball, allowing Theodoridis to beat goalkeeper Peña from close range and make it 1-1.
VAR penalty settles the contest
Two minutes after the equaliser, in the 75th minute, the referee went to the pitchside monitor to review whether Antonise had handled a shot from Tabórda inside the box. The official pointed to the penalty spot, and Tabórda stepped up in the 81st minute to convert and make it 2-1, sealing Panathinaikos's win.
