Match Thread Vs PAOK Salonika

had a bit of buffer on magictv.co, but its settled now, if anyones having problems with finding a link.


good performance by the youngsters so far, that was a stonewall pen. looking forwards to 2nd half. COYS

game is also here, on stream 2 >> http://www.kiwisportz.com/

Jesus Holding on a bit at the end there Cudicini man mountain in goal lol Falque not bad player. I like CarRoll good tidy little player

Tottenham were denied a first-half penalty after Harry Kane was tripped in the box

PAOK Salonika 0 - 0 Tottenham

Much-changed Tottenham got their Europa League group campaign underway earning a spirited point at PAOK Salonika.

Spurs debutant Iago Falque had an early side-footed shot from 18 yards cleared off the line by Pablo Garcia.

Tottenham were denied a spot kick when Harry Kane was brought down and soon after PAOK defender Lino sent a retaken penalty wide of Carlo Cudicini's goal.

Cudicini later produced a double save before Vladimir Ivic headed against the crossbar in the last minute.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp made 10 changes to his line-up for the clash in Thessaloniki but despite the unfamiliar line-up his side made a lively start to the game.

Redknapp handed a debut to Falque and the youngster almost got Spurs off to a flying start.

His shot from the edge of the area was cleared off the line by Garcia following Jake Livermore's surging right-wing run.

It took the hosts a while to settle into the game with Vieirinha their most lively attacking threat, but by and large it was Tottenham who controlled the opening 45 minutes.

Forward Kane was proving a handful for the PAOK defence and after heading straight at goalkeeper Dario Kresic he was later denied a clear penalty.

His powerful run into the box was halted by Pablo Contreras but the referee booked the 18-year-old for diving rather than award a spot kick.

The decision incensed Redknapp who moments later was left cursing that decision after Cudicini brought down Stefanos Athanasiadis to hand the home side a penalty they barely deserved.

The initial spot kick was scored by Lino, but he was forced to take it again with PAOK penalised for encroachment into the box.

And much to the relief of Cudicini and Spurs his second attempt was sent wide of the Italian keeper's left-hand post and the score remained level.

Spurs had chances as the half came to a close with Roman Pavlyuchenko firing a 20-yard free-kick inches too high of Dario Kresic's goal.

Falque was desperately unlucky at the start of the second period not to see his curling left-foot 20-yard shot find the back of the net following good strength by Pavlyuchenko as Tottenham remained the most likely side to break the deadlock.

Unsurprisingly considering the searing heat in Greece, Tottenham's play noticeably slowed while their passing became slightly erratic and the hosts started to come into the game.

Athanasiadis came desperately close to getting the first goal of the game, but he blazed over on the stretch from six yards following Dimitris Salpingidis's driven low cross.

As the game moved into the final stages Tottenham continued to plug away, driven on by the superb Livermore and lively Falque while Kyle Walker proved a useful outlet on the right.

Garcia went close for the hosts with 15 minutes remaining dragging his shot wide following an enterprising run on the right.

Tottenham were then in debt to keeper Cudicini for a superb double save, first from Ivic and then from Athanasiadis.

And then in the last minute Vieirinha again forced a brilliant reaction stop from Cudicini from a tight angle before Ivic headed against the crossbar.

But despite the late drama Tottenham held on for a deserved point.

PAOK SALONIKA

TOTTENHAM


Possession
PAOK Salonika 50% Tottenham 50%

Attempts on target
PAOK Salonika 4 Tottenham 2

Attempts off target
PAOK Salonika 8 Tottenham 6

Corners
PAOK Salonika 4 Tottenham 0

Fouls
PAOK Salonika 15 Tottenham 11

Harry Redknapp bemoans Harry Kane penalty decision

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp says his side should have been awarded a first-half penalty during their 0-0 Europa League draw with PAOK Salonika.

Redknapp also believed PAOK were lucky to be awarded a penalty themselves - which Lino missed after it was retaken.

"I thought it was a penalty. I've seen a replay, it was a foul," Redknapp said after Harry Kane was booked for diving.

"Did Carlo [Cudicini] foul him [Stefanos Athanasiadis]? He swears he never touched him," Redknapp added.

Redknapp made 10 changes to the side that beat Wolves 2-0 at the weekend for their trip to Greece.

One of those to come in was Kane, who led the line well for Spurs and proved a nuisance throughout. The 18-year-old appeared to have won a penalty for Tottenham in the first half after he was clearly tripped by Pablo Contreras. But to Tottenham's amazement, Kane instead received a booking for simulation.

"He wouldn't go down - it was very harsh to book him. It was a penalty," said Redknapp.

Moments later PAOK were awarded a penalty after Tottenham keeper Cudicini appeared to bring down Athanasiadis.

Redknapp also disputed this decision, although replays suggested a penalty may have been the right call.

"Carlo Cudicini says he didn't touch him," said Redknapp.

Lino initially scored the spot kick but was forced to retake it after PAOK were penalised for encroachment and to Tottenham's relief he sent his second attempt wide of Cudicini's left-hand post.

Redknapp faced criticism before the game for leaving several of his senior players at home for the trip to Thessaloniki with one eye already on Sunday's game against Liverpool.

But despite fielding a side with an average age of 23 that included six players who were 21 or under, Redknapp's side came through a tough test at the Toumba Stadium with flying colours.

"I was pleased with the performance, particularly in the first half. We kept the ball well," said Redknapp.

"That was an intimidating atmosphere out there tonight. It was fantastic. You don't get that in many places in the world.

"The fans were incredible and they get behind their team.

"The young players have never seen that before and it must have been a difficult experience for them, but I thought they coped very well."

I thought they were both nailed on penalties. The ref didn't exactly cover him-self in glory throughout the match . . .

Deft footwork from Mr Redknapp in choosing a young team and still earning a point - a sound approach (as long as you get away with it )

anicoll5 wrote:Deft footwork from Mr Redknapp in choosing a young team and still earning a point - a sound approach (as long as you get away with it )

You can in the europa nic, lets face it all the youngsters can have a go against shamrock rovers.
I posted ages ago that it is a comp where the fringe players should get games to keep them happy.
The only problem is that if we get to the semi or the final itself do you stick with the fringe players or put out your best side ? because to get dropped after getting so far is going to cheese some players off.

BazSpur wrote:That should have been made clear to them before they were entered. I think they will know the score to be honest. They would have been told if we get to the latter stages the seniors will take over. I think they would accept that.

More than likely baz ! i think those that perform well should be rewarded.
Looking at the team harry chose to play i had it down for a draw, but forgot to do a prediction.....