Following their most recent trend, Greece narrowly defeated lowly Liechtenstein 1-0 in Vaduz with a late goal from Kostas Mitrogolou. The visitors lacked the pace and momentum to convincingly dominate the match. At times it looked as though the home side might score with Greek keeper Orestis Karnezis being forced to make diving saves.
Liechtenstein vs. Greece, Final Score 0-1: Greece Scrap Through Again
Greece managed another very narrow victory over Liechtenstein, scoring in the last twenty minutes in an uneventful match.
The result was coupled with Bosnia’s 1-0 home defeat to Slovakia. This puts Greece and Bosnia on level points with goal difference placing the latter at the top of the group.
Greece being the heavy favorites to win, commenced the match very slowly and lost possession on every attempt to move forward. The first half was largely quiet with Jose Holebas and Lazaros Christodoulopoulos making runs down the left flank. Mitroglou was also on hand a number of times but failed to convert.
The second half was a different story as the visitors picked up the attack with increased momentum. Christodoulopoulos combined with Mitroglou while Sotiris Ninis made incursions of his own but to no avail. It looked as though Greece would never break through with shots going over or wide of the goal.
Santos sought to press even harder and brought on midfield talisman Giorgios Karagounis on the 67th minute. His introduction made a major impact as Greece sprung to life. Immediately the three pronged attack consisting of Ninis, Mitroglou, and Christodoulopoulos began bombarding Peter Jehle’s goal.
The game changed just five minutes later as Vassilis Torosidis, playing at left back due to Holebas' sending off, dribbled down the left flank and fed the on rushing Mitroglou who fired into the net. All this transpired as news came in of Slovakia's victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Liechenstein (4-1-4-1): Jehle, Stocklasa, Oehri, Frick (Christen, 28’), Quintans, Wieser (Yildiz, 86’), D. Hasler, Burgmeier, Polverino, Christen (Gubser, 90’), N. Hasler
Greece (4-3-3): Karnezis, Holebas, Papastathopoulos, Siovas, Torosidis, Katsouranis, Tachtsidis (Karagounis, 67’), Maniatis, Christodoulopoulos (Papadopoulos, 84’), Kone (Ninis, 46’), Mitroglou
Goals: Mitroglou (72’)
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