With Tiago Nous coming on as a second-half substitute and scoring both goals to turn the match around, OFI defeated Panaitolikos 2-1 at the “Th. Vardinogiannis” and qualified for the “16” of the Cup.
The “Canaries” started the first half better and opened the scoring in the 18th minute with Maindevacs, who also beat goalkeeper Christogeorgos to make it 0-1 after an assist from Roa.
Della’s triple change at half-time (Nus, Sengelia, Bainovic) boosted OFI’s aggression, with the former proving the catalyst.
In the 59th minute, the Argentine midfielder equalized from close range with a shot and in the 71st minute he made it 2-1 with a header after a cross from Bakits.
The score remained the same until the end, as in the last minute of injury time, Panaitolikos wasted two great opportunities with Sielis and Mladen.