Sehwag and Tendulkar hit centuries for India

Published>Mon, Feb 15 10 05:52 PM

Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar hit centuries in the final test as India fought to level the series against South Africa and hold on to their number one ranking.

Opener Sehwag smashed 165 and Tendulkar carved out a spectacular 106 to help the tourists take a first-innings lead of 46 at Kolkata's Eden Gardens on Monday.

India were 342 for five at the close on the second day, with Sehwag scoring his 19th test century and second in a row and Tendulkar extending his world record to 47 with his fourth straight hundred.

The tourists staged a late recovery when they dismissed both the century-makers plus Subramaniam Badrinath for one in a spectacular collapse. Nightwatchman Amit Mishra (one) was at the crease with Vangipurappu Laxman (nine) when stumps were drawn.

South Africa are bidding to leapfrog the hosts at the top of the standings and record a first test-series victory on Indian soil in almost a decade.

Sehwag and Tendulkar shared in a stand of 249 for the third wicket to put the South African attack to the sword after India had dismissed the tourists, who lead the series 1-0, for 296.

Indian paceman Zaheer Khan took the last South African wicket in the fourth over of the morning after the tourists had resumed on 266-9.

Sehwag, one of the most destructive batsmen in world cricket, overshadowed his illustrious partner as he lashed 23 fours and two sixes in a show of audacious strokeplay.

BLAZING START

The explosive Sehwag, who faced just 174 deliveries, tore into the fast bowlers as he lashed the new-ball pair of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel for three fours in an over each in a breathtaking display of raw power and exquisite timing.

Sehwag blasted his first 44 runs in 22 deliveries to give India a blazing 73-run start along with Gautam Gambhir, who was needlessly run out for 25.

Number three batsman Murali Vijay was dismissed for seven off Morkel.

Sehwag exploited the width, pace and bounce that the South African bowlers offered, reaching his century with a punch off paceman Wayne Parnell through point.

The opener offered a stumping chance on 129 that was missed by AB de Villiers who kept wicket after Mark Boucher was ruled out with a back injury before the match.

Left-arm spinner Paul Harris resorted to a defensive leg-side line against the pair in an attempt to dry up runs and achieved success late after he frustrated Tendulkar.

India lost the two century-makers and Badrinath in the space of four runs. Sehwag was caught at short cover off spinner JP Duminy, who bowled just one over, and Tendulkar was caught off Harris, while Badrinath, who scored a fifty on his debut in the first test, was fired out by Steyn.

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh finished with 3-64 to play a key role in India's fightback after debutant Alviro Petersen and Hashim Amla scored centuries to give South Africa a solid start.

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Scoreboard: India vs. South Africa, Second Test, Day 2

Published>Mon, Feb 15 10 05:29 PM

Kolkata, Feb 15 (IANS) Scoreboard at stumps on the second day of the second cricket Test between India and South Africa at the Eden Gardens here Monday:

South Africa first innings (overnight 266/9):

Graeme Smith b Khan 4

Alviro Petersen c Dhoni b Khan 100

Hashim Amla c Dhoni b Khan 114

Jacques Kallis c Laxman b Harbhajan Singh 10

AB de Villiers run out (Khan) 12

Ashwell Prince lbw b Harbhajan Singh 1

JP Duminy lbw b Harbhajan Singh 0

Dale Steyn lbw b Mishra 5

Paul Harris c Dhoni b Sharma 1

Wayne Parnell lbw Khan 12

Morne Morkel not out 11

Extras (b-1, w-10, lb-4, nb-11): 26

Total (all out in 85 overs): 296

Fall of wickets: 1-9 (Smith, 2.6 overs, 2-218 (Petersen, 52.4), 3-229 (Amla, 56.4), 4-251 (Kallis, 65.1), 5-253 (Prince, 67.1), 6-253 (Duminy, 67.2), 7-254 (de Villiers, 68.3), 8-255 (Harris, 70.3), 9-261 (Steyn, 76.1),

Bowling:

Zaheer Khan 22-5-90-4

Ishant Sharma 18-3-67-1

Amit Mishra 21-3-70-1

Harbhajan Singh 24-2-64-3

India 1st innings:

Gautam Gambhir run out (Petersen/de Villiers) 25

Virender Sehwag c Prince b Duminy 165

Murali Vijay c de Villiers b Morkel 7

Sachin Tendulkar c Kallis b Harris 106

V.V.S. Laxman batting 9

Subramaniam Badrinath b Steyn 1

Amit Mishra batting 1

Extras (b 5, lb 5, w 12, nb 6) 28

Total (for five wickets in 76 overs) 342

Fall of wickets: 1-73 (Gambhir, 9.2 overs), 2-82 (Vijay, 12.4), 1), 3-331 (Sehwag, 70.2), 4-335 (Tendulkar, 71.5), 5-336 (Badrinath, 74.6)

Bowling:

Dale Steyn 17-4-66-1

Morne Morkel 15-1-80-1

Wayne Parnell 12-1-61-0

Jacques Kallis 7-0-24-0

Paul Harris 24-1-97-1

Jean Paul Duminy 1-0-4-1

Toss: South Africa, who chose to bat

Umpires: Steve Davis (Australia) and Ian Gould (England)

TV umpire: Shavir Tarapore

Match referee: Andy Pycroft (Zimbabwe)

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IPL schedule altered substantially

Published Mon, Feb 15 10 05:26 PM

Mumbai, Feb 15 (PTI) More than a dozen changes have been incorporated by the Indian Premier League authorities in the revised schedule of the Twenty20 League whose third edition is to be held from March 12-April 25. These changes were made after IPL shifted all matches of Deccan Chargers from Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam to other centres because of the ongoing Telengana agitation in Andhra Pradesh. Some matches not involving Deccan Chargers also had to be given a tweak in the new schedule put up on its website www.iplt20.com. Nagpur, discarded as an option for the Mumbai Indians to play its home ties, now hosts three matches of Deccan Chargers. The other four ties featuring the Hyderabad franchise, including the opening match, would be held in Navi Mumbai''s D Y Patil Stadium. The revised schedule is: Mar 12 - Deccan Chargers (DC) vs Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Navi Mumbai, 8 pm. Mar 13 - Mumbai Indians (MI) vs Rajasthan Royals (RR), Mumbai, 3 pm; Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) vs Delhi Daredevils (DD), Mohali, 8 pm. Mar 14 - KKR vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Kolkata, 4 pm; Chennai Super Kings (CSK) vs DC, Chennai, 8 pm. More) PTI SSR YRM PDS

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Delhi schools to remain closed during Commonwealth Games

Published>Mon, Feb 15 10 05:19 PM

New Delhi, Feb 15 (IANS) To overcome traffic congestion during the Commonwealth Games, schools in the national capital will remain closed during the mega sporting event, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said Monday.

The Delhi government sent an advisory to Delhi schools, both government and private, to reschedule school holidays for the academic year 2010-11 keeping in view the Commonwealth Games being organised Oct 3-14.

'For smooth hosting of Commonwealth games and to avoid traffic congestion, it has been decided to extend the autumn break from eight to 17 days while summer vacations have been reduced from 61 days to 49 days,' Dikshit told reporters here.

The autumn break will be from Oct 1 to 17.

'The rescheduling of the breaks will not affect the working hours of schools as working days in 2010-11 would be 218 compared to 215 in 2009-10,' she said.

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Kerala capital to host all India police athletic meet

Published Mon, Feb 15 10 04:59 PM

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 15 (PTI) Around 1,200 athletes from state and central police forces would participate in the 58th All India Police Athletics Championship here from February 17 to 21. 29 teams including BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, RPF and SSB would take part in the championship, being held in Kerala after a 22-year gap, Director General of Police Jacob Punnoose told reporters here today. Kerala had earlier hosted the event in 1982, 1985 and 1988. The inaugural and concluding functions would be held at the Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium and competitions on the synthetic track at the University Stadium in the city. BSF were team champions last year and Punjab police runners-up. Punjab Police currently hold the state champions title while Uttar Pradesh were in second spot. In the women''s category, CRPF were the champions last year and Punjab police came second. Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan would inaugurate the championship.

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Cole fighting to save his Chelsea career

Published>Mon, Feb 15 10 04:55 PM

London, Feb 15 (ANI): England star Joe Cole is fighting to save his Chelsea career after suffering the humiliation of being subbed at half-time against Cardiff.

Cole suffered the embarrassment of being taken off at half-time in Chelsea's emphatic 4-1 win over Cardiff City.

With the England star's contract expiring next June, coach Carlo Ancelotti's tactical switch fuelled the belief that Cole will quit Stamford Bridge at the end of this season.

Chelsea coach Ray Wilkins revealed afterwards that the decision was tactical and that there was no injury problem, The Mirror reports.

Wilkins said: "We have a squad full of quality and the manager will change things. Cole has been out injured for a long, long period. At first there are massive highs and Joe has had them out here. But all of a sudden you hit the brick wall." (ANI)

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Watson, the man to beat for Allan Border Medal

Published>Mon, Feb 15 10 04:49 PM

Sydney, Feb 15(ANI): Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has emerged as the man to beat for the Allan Border Medal.

Watson's contributions in both Tests and ODIs in the voting period makes him an obvious favourite for the medal, considered to be the biggest individual prize in Australian cricket.

For a player whose ascent to cricketing success has been often threatened by injury, the 28-year-old has scaled the heights statistically in both Test matches and ODIs, the only forms of the game that factor in voting for the Allan Border Medal.

Watson was the player of the series in the recent Test series against Pakistan, player of the series in the seven one-dayers in India and scored a century in both the semi-final and the final of the ICC Champions Trophy.

According to Fox Sports Stats production manager Sam Mueller, the case for Watson was a strong one, as he has played more cricket than ever in his career over the past 12 months.

"Watson is one of the few players who plays all three forms of the game - Test matches, one-dayers and Twenty20. Since coming into the Test team in the third Test of the Ashes, Watson has averaged 57 with the bat, which is the highest of any Australian batsmen by some way," Fox Sports quoted Mueller, as saying.

"And that's just his batting - his bowling is obviously pretty strong. Watson was the third highest wicket-taker in Australian one-day internationals and took 13 wickets in nine Tests at an average of 29," he added.

Apart from Watson, fast bowler Mitchell Johnson appears to be a strong contender for being Australia's leading wicket-taker with 65 scalps at an average of 28.25 - 22 wickets ahead of Australia's second highest wicket-taker over the same period, Peter Siddle.

Johnson also contributed 485 Test runs at 26.94, including two half-centuries and his first Test hundred. (ANI)

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Cole fighting to save his Chelsea career

Published>Mon, Feb 15 10 04:41 PM

London, Feb 15 (ANI): England star Joe Cole is fighting to save his Chelsea career after suffering the humiliation of being subbed at half-time against Cardiff.

Cole suffered the embarrassment of being taken off at half-time in Chelsea's emphatic 4-1 win over Cardiff City.

With the England star's contract expiring next June, coach Carlo Ancelotti's tactical switch fuelled the belief that Cole will quit Stamford Bridge at the end of this season.

Chelsea coach Ray Wilkins revealed afterwards that the decision was tactical and that there was no injury problem, The Mirror reports.

Wilkins said: "We have a squad full of quality and the manager will change things. Cole has been out injured for a long, long period. At first there are massive highs and Joe has had them out here. But all of a sudden you hit the brick wall." (ANI)

Source: Web Search

'Love rivals' on course to meet three times in a week

Published>Mon, Feb 15 10 04:25 PM

Love rivals, Chelsea skipper John Terry and his England teammate Wayne Bridge are now on course to meet three times in a week.

Terry and Bridge have not spoken since news broke of JT's affair with Bridge's ex-girlfriend Vanessa Perroncel.

They are likely to meet in a possible Football Association Cup quarter-final meeting in yesterday's draw.

And that potential clash between Chelsea and Manchester City will be played a week after the clubs meet in the Premier League and days after England play Egypt on March 3.

"Wayne has acted with dignity and kept his head down through all this but after all that has gone on, he doesn't need anyone to tell him what this FA Cup game would mean," The Sun quoted a City source, as saying.

"Everyone is motivated at City these days but if they needed any extra motivation to beat Stoke to get back to Stamford Bridge, this will be it," the source said.

If City beat Stoke in next week's fifth-round replay they will travel to holders Chelsea in the first weekend of March.

The paper reports that Three Lions boss Fabio Capello will pick Bridge for the friendly against Egypt after his personal check on Saturday.

And Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is convinced Bridge will accept the invitation to team up with Terry.

Capello believes Bridge is ready for an international recall after watching him during City's 1-1 FA Cup draw with Stoke.

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Rampaging Sehwag and Tendulkar put India at an advantage

Published>Mon, Feb 15 10 03:41 PM

Kolkata, Feb 15 (IANS) Opener Virender Sehwag blasted a swashbuckling century and partnered an unfinished 150-run stand with Sachin Tendulkar as India seemed on course to a first innings lead at tea on day two of the second cricket Test against South Africa here Monday.

India were 232 for two at the break, with Sehwag unconquered on 125 and Tendulkar batting on 65. India were 64 behind the South African first innings total of 296 at the Eden Gardens.

Sehwag, playing his trademark scintillating strokes on all sides of the park, scripted his 19th ton in his 76th Test match as the South African bowlers were sent on a leather hunt in the post lunch session.

The Najafgarh boy got to his three-figure mark by disdainfully despatching Wayne Parnell to the point fence with a grass-cutting stroke 44 minutes before tea to pump his fist, triggering loud applause among the 20,000 strong crowd.

The seasoned campaigner reached the personal milestone in 168 minutes off 87 balls, embellishing his knock with 16 boundaries and two sixes.

Tendulkar, on the other hand, was concentration personified as strokes flowed from the middle of his blade right from the outset. A cover driven four off the back foot to Parnell was the stroke of the day, as he took 112 minutes to reach his 55th Test half-century.

The South African bowlers could not put the duo under any pressure as the 100-run stand for the third wicket came off 102 minutes.

Tendulkar's continuing 146-minute knock included nine boundaries.

In the morning, resuming at 266 for nine, the South African last pair of Parnell (12) and Morne Morkel (11 not out) added 30 more runs in 18 minutes, thanks to some loose bowling by the Indians.

Zaheer finally brought the innings to an end by getting Parnell leg before with the third delivery of the second new ball to finish with figures of four for 94.

In reply, Gautam Gambhir and Sehwag gave the hosts a flying start, as they came up with some fluent shots to bring up the 50 in only 37 minutes.

Gambhir (25) was needlessly run out following a Sehwag faux pas, while Murali Vijay (7) was lapped up behind the wicket when he poked a Morne Morkel delivery just outside the off stump.

Sehwag was lucky to survive when Duminy dropped a dolly at first slip, with Morkel being the suffering bowler.

Sehwag picked up India's first Test nemesis Dale Steyn for special treatment plundering three consecutive boundaries in his second over, courtesy a drive past backward point, a short arm pull through square leg and another upper cut past point as 15 came from the over. Morkel received a similar battering from the Indian vice captain some time later.

Steyn got some of the deliveries to rise steeply, but at times wavered on length.

But the partnership was broken at 73, as the solid-looking Gambhir returned to the pavilion. The Delhi batsman edged Parnell to the square leg area, and Sehwag called him for a second run before suddenly deciding otherwise to leave Gambhir stranded in the middle.

The South African pacers softened up Vijay with a series of short pitched stuff before his 18-minute stay came to an end. Morkel bowled full-length and Vijay went for a defensive probe only to manage an edge to stand-in-skipper A.B. de Villiers.

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Sehwag puts India in control with 19th century

Published>Mon, Feb 15 10 03:31 PM

Opener Virender Sehwag plundered his 19th test century as India took control of the second and final test against South Africa on Monday.

Sehwag smashed 19 fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 125 to guide India to 232 for two at tea on the second day after earlier dismissing the tourists for 296 in the first innings.

Sehwag shared in an unbroken third wicket stand of 150 with Sachin Tendulkar (65) after Gautam Gambhir was needlessly run out for 25, and Murali Vijay was dismissed by Morne Morkel for seven.

Paceman Zaheer Khan took the last South African wicket in the fourth over of the morning after the tourists, who lead the two-match series 1-0, had resumed on 266-9.

India need to square the two-match series to hold on to their number one ranking while the tourists are bidding to both leapfrog the hosts at the top of the standings and record a first test series victory on Indian soil in almost a decade.

Sehwag, who scored a century in the opening test, cut and drove with power and poise hitting fast bowler Morkel for 15 boundaries, forcing him out of the attack after he smashed three fours in one over.

Sehwag exploited the width, pace and bounce the South African bowlers offered, reaching his century with a punch off paceman Wayne Parnell through point.

Gambhir fell to a throw from the deep by Alviro Petersen when his opening partner called him for a second run that was never on.

Tendulkar, who has scored centuries in his three previous tests, batted fluently and hit nine fours as he approached his 47th test century.

South Africa's last wicket pair of Morkel (11 not out) and Parnell (12) added a rapid 30 runs before left-arm pacer Zaheer struck.

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh finished with 3-64 to play a key role in India's fightback after debutant Petersen (100) and in-form Hashim Amla (114) hit centuries to give South Africa a solid start.

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Pak cricket team 'hopeful of triumph' in UAE series against England

Published>Mon, Feb 15 10 03:25 PM

Lahore, Feb. 15 (ANI): The Pakistani cricket team has left for Dubai to play two Twenty20 against England on February 19 and 20.

The team left from Allama Iqbal International Airport here on Sunday morning.

The Squad includes: skipper Shoaib Malik, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper), Imran Nazir, Imran Farhat, Fawwad Alam, Khalid Latif, Umar Akmal, Shahid Khan Afridi, Abdul Razzaq and Saeed Ajmal.

The Daily Times quoted manager Yawar Saeed as saying that the players were not solely responsible for the poor show on Australian tour, but the team management was equally guilty.

However, he vowed to get rid of weaknesses during the UAE tour, as the team's morale was sky-high.

"I am hopeful for Pakistan's triumph on the tour," he said. (ANI)

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'Fuming' French tournament boss demands ATP suspension of 'irresponsible' Murray

Published>Mon, Feb 15 10 03:21 PM

London, Feb 15 (ANI): A French tennis tournament boss has demanded suspension of World No.3 Andy Murray.

Murray due to be the top seed in this week's Marseille Open has pulled out to give himself more time to recover from the Australian Open.

The pull out has angered Marseille organiser Jean-Francois Caujolle who said: "Murray did the same thing to me last year."

"He can't know what it is to keep his word. A week ago, he asked me for a wild card to play doubles with his brother Jamie and I gave him one. A few days ago, he asked me for five hotel rooms and I gave him them," the Daily Express quoted him, as saying.

"The No 1 seed of a tournament should have a sense of responsibility. If he does not respect his commitments, he should be suspended by the ATP," Caujolle added. (ANI)

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Pak cricket team 'hopeful of triumph' in UAE series against England

Published>Mon, Feb 15 10 03:11 PM

Lahore, Feb. 15 (ANI): The Pakistani cricket team has left for Dubai to play two Twenty20 against England on February 19 and 20.

The team left from Allama Iqbal International Airport here on Sunday morning.

The Squad includes: skipper Shoaib Malik, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper), Imran Nazir, Imran Farhat, Fawwad Alam, Khalid Latif, Umar Akmal, Shahid Khan Afridi, Abdul Razzaq and Saeed Ajmal.

The Daily Times quoted manager Yawar Saeed as saying that the players were not solely responsible for the poor show on Australian tour, but the team management was equally guilty.

However, he vowed to get rid of weaknesses during the UAE tour, as the team's morale was sky-high.

"I am hopeful for Pakistan's triumph on the tour," he said. (ANI)

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European roundup - Barcelona beaten at last

Published Mon, Feb 15 10 03:03 PM

Leaders Barcelona slumped to their first La Liga defeat of the season on Sunday, losing 2-1 at Atletico Madrid, after second-placed Real Madrid beat Xerez 3-0 on Saturday with a double from Cristiano Ronaldo.

In Italy, AS Roma eased past Palermo 4-1 for their ninth consecutive win in all competitions while Bayern Munich made it 12 victories in a row with a 3-1 Bundesliga triumph over Borussia Dortmund.

SPAIN

Champions Barcelona, missing five first-team defenders, lost 2-1 at Atletico Madrid on Sunday, their first league defeat of the season in their 22nd match.

Diego Forlan's clinical finish and a superb Simao Sabrosa free kick put Atletico 2-0 ahead before Zlatan Ibrahimovic pulled one back.

Second-placed Real Madrid trimmed Barca's lead to two points with a 3-0 win at Xerez, Cristiano Ronaldo scoring twice on his return from a two-match ban after Alvaro Arbeloa had opened the scoring.

ITALY

Leaders Inter Milan drew 0-0 at Napoli in an entertaining game in which both sides hit the woodwork but the hosts probably deserved to win.

Midfielder Matteo Brighi scored twice as second-placed AS Roma kept up the pressure with a 4-1 win over Palermo, their ninth victory in a row in all competitions.

AC Milan, in third, warmed up for Tuesday's Champions League clash against Manchester United with a 3-2 home win over Udinese, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar netting twice.

Juventus ended a dreadful run of form thanks to Alessandro Del Piero's controversial late penalty in a 3-2 victory over Genoa.

GERMANY

Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich won at home to stay level on points at the top of the Bundesliga.

Leverkusen beat fading champions VfL Wolfsburg 2-1 on a miserable afternoon for visiting goalkeeper Andre Lenz and Bayern came from behind for a 3-1 win over Borussia Dortmund.

It was the 12th win in a row in all competitions for Louis van Gaal's Bayern.

ENGLAND

Aston Villa skipper Stilian Petrov headed an equaliser three minutes from time to force a 2-2 draw at second tier Crystal Palace in the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday.

Holders Chelsea eased into the quarter-finals with a 4-1 win over Cardiff City, another second tier side, while Portsmouth won by the same score at local rivals Southampton.

Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack, Daniel Sturridge and Salomon Kalou scored for Chelsea while Michael Chopra replied for Cardiff.

FRANCE

Leaders Girondins Bordeaux beat St Etienne 3-1 to stay three points clear of Montpellier.

Morocco striker Marouane Chamakh headed champions Bordeaux in front before two goals from Brazilian Wendel secured the points. Bakary Sako replied.

Montpellier beat Grenoble 1-0.

PORTUGAL

Benfica stayed top with a 1-0 home win over bottom side Belenenses, Paraguay striker Oscar Cardozo heading in a cross by Brazil midfielder Ramires in the 10th minute.

Braga kept up the pressure when they beat Maritimo 2-1 to stay one point behind.

NETHERLANDS

PSV Eindhoven went three points clear at the top after a 1-0 win at Heracles Almelo, Swede Ola Toivonen heading the winner in the 58th minute.

Second-placed Twente Enschede won 2-1 at Vitesse Arnhem.

GREECE

Champions Olympiakos Piraeus closed the gap on Super League leaders Panathinaikos to three points by beating Asteras Tripolis 3-1 helped by two goals from Democratic Republic of Congo forward Lomana Lua Lua.

Ieroklis Stoltidis was also on target for Olympiakos and Luiz Eder pulled one back for Asteras.

Panathinaikos went down to a shock 2-0 home defeat against Kavala, Polish midfielder Ebi Smolarek scoring both goals in the second half.

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