PAOKDetails
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 August 2021 | 7:45 pm | UEFA Conference League | 2021/22 |
Match Report
Coote’s brilliant Euro Bohs brace
Bohemians were simply sensational as Ali Coote stole the show in their 2-1 win against PAOK at the Aviva Stadium tonight.
The victory gives Keith Long’s men an advantage heading into the second leg of their UEFA Conference League third qualifying round tie, next week.
Bohs fans exploded, as Coote scored from close range after 23 minutes, after a fantastic run from Georgie Kelly.
He then added to his tally with a 25-yard strike, that the visitor’s ‘keeper probably should have dealt with.
Nelson Oliveira halved the deficit with a header with ten minutes to go, making it a nervy finish.
The quality of the opposition was clear to see early on, as the Greek side dominated possession whilst Bohs stayed in shape and absorbed the pressure. Oliveira tested James Talbot in the opening stages with a low shot, as PAOK showed their teeth.
However, the home side were patient, and took their chance when it came. Andy Lyons pumped a long pass down the flank, and Kelly muscled his was past Michalidis. This opened up the opportunity for a pull back, and the onrushing Coote slid in to divert the ball into the net.
The Aviva Stadium was awash with shouts, cheers and celebrations, and there would be more to come.
After keeping hold of the lead into half time, Long’s side had to temper a string of early attacks from the opposition.
Once again though, it was the Dublin outfit that would make the most of their chances. An Anto Breslin corner made its way to Coote on the edge of the area, and the Scot took a speculative shot. It was straight at Paschalakis in the PAOK net, but his effort to punch it clear was calamitous. 2-0 to the underdogs, and once again, an eruption of emotion.
Oliveira made things a little nervy with a late header from a Schwaab cross, but Bohs hung on, to take a valuable lead into the second leg. It will be tricky without their own fans roaring them on in Thessaloniki, but there’s no reason why the Gypsies couldn’t cause another upset.
Timeline
| Ali Coote | 23' | |
| Ali Coote | 52' | |
| 3. Anto Breslin | 65' | |
| 1. James Talbot | 70' | |
| Dawson Devoy Conor Levingston | 76' | |
| Rob Cornwall James Finnerty | 82' | |
| Ali Coote Keith Ward | 87' | |
| Liam Burt Tyreke Wilson | 87' |
Ground
| Aviva Stadium |
|---|
| Aviva Stadium, Lansdowne Road, Pembroke West A ED, Dublin, Dublin 4, Leinster, D04 FP65, Ireland |
Jon Parkin
A master's journalism student at Birmingham City University. Jon Parkin has done interviews with numerous people from across the English football pyramid. He has also written for website My Old Man Said for over a year and a half.
What a result and performance from Bohs, incredible all-round team performance, rounded off by two goals from Ali Coote.
Full time: Bohemians 2-1 PAOK
Buckley takes a shot and it deflects out for a corner. Fantastic time to have a set piece at the other end of the pitch.
James Talbot makes a fantastic save off a Swiderski shot, what a time to make such a big save.
Four added minutes.
All hands to the defensive pump now. Every Bohs man is back defending, holding onto this lead.
Keith Long is trying to sure things up late on, and take a lead into the second leg.
Ali Coote and Liam Burt are off for Bohs.
Tyreke Wilson and Keith Ward are on for Bohs.
Tzolis takes on Lyons and has a go, but it's well over the bar. PAOK are looking more confident, a late goal could be coming.
Rob Cornwall is off for Bohs.
James Finnerty is on for Bohs.
Oliveira has a shot from inside the box, it hits the side netting, the visitors have gained a bit of confidence.
Goal PAOK. Nelson Oliveira halves the deficit. It'll be a nervy end to the game for Bohs.
Dawson Devoy is off for Bohs.
Conor Levingston is on for Bohs.
The home side are starting to tire a little, maybe Keith Long will look to his bench before too long.
James Talbot gets a card for time wasting.
Tzolis has a pop from just outside the box, but it's far from the target.
Bohs are now camped on the edge of their own box. The pattern of play has drastically turned in the favour of PAOK, but the home side look sturdy and well drilled.
Anto Breslin gets a yellow card for time wasting.
Tierney does fantastically to release the pressure after a PAOK attack by winning a free-kick. He's been a live wire so far.
Liam Burt tries for his own 25-yard screamer, but his effort is tame and easily dealt with.
Yellow card for Oliveira after a late challenge on Andy Lyons.
Great save from Talbot. Oliveira was played in behind and shot from a tight angle. The Bohs 'keeper got his arm behind the ball and killed it dead.
Paschalakis had a shocker as he tried to punch Coote's long-range effort. He didn't get enough contact, and it slipped past him into the net.
2-0 Ali Coote again!!! From 25-yards!!!! What a performance this is.
The referee is taking a laissez faire approach to officiating so far this half. He's let quite a few borderline fouls go.
Esiti stings the palms of Talbot with a powerful half-volley. Kagawa couldn't quite latch onto the follow up. A better start to the half for the visitors.
And it's back underway! Keith Buckley kicks off.
Bohs really grew into the game, and took their chance when it came. Keith Long can be pleased with every players performance as they've caused plenty of trouble for a shaky PAOK backline, and been rock solid defensively.
Half time: Bohemians 1-0 PAOK
Dawson Devoy goes so close from the edge of the box. Lyons and Coote blitzed Vieirinha, and Coote played a pass into Devoy. His whipped shot curled just past the left post. Great chance.
Fantastic play from Liam Burt to win a free-kick after Georgie Kelly dropped deep and pounced on a loose PAOK pass.
Rob Cornwall got himself in a mess taking too much time on the ball. El Kaddouri sprung on the ball but his touch was far to hard.
Big save from James Talbot. Rodrigo cut in from the right and drilled a shot towards the bottom left. Talbot got a good hand to it and Lyons cleared up the leftovers.
PAOK are looking shaky when Bohs break at pace. Andy Lyons caused a problem with a bombing run, followed by a cross that just evaded Georgie Kelly.
Great chance for El Kaddouri as it sit up nicely after an aerial battle between Lyons and Kagawa. He slices the shot though, and it bounces harmlessly wide.
Ciaran Kelly is having a fantastic game so far. He's been calm and composed, and in the right place at the right time. He shows this again by guiding the ball out of play whilst holding off Oliveira.
Keith Long's men made the most of a quick break, and a rare spell of possession. Quality rather than quantity. The stadium erupted when Coote slid in to score.
Ali Coote scores! He taps home after a fantastic run from Georgie Kelly! 1-0 Bohs!
Ciaran Kelly to the rescue as Nelson Oliveira broke into the box, he took a touch too many before opting to shoot, and Kelly got a foot in to end the attack.
Ross Tierney is the man making the difference for the Gypsies this evening. He stole the ball from Varela, and found himself with the ball on the edge of the area. His pass to Georgie Kelly was cut out though.
Everyone is getting back to help the defensive effort for the home side. Liam Burt and Anto Breslin's combined efforts thwarted a dangerous move down the PAOK right.
There's been a lot of holding shape and running from side to side for Bohs so far. Ross Tierney sparked into life in one of the few moments of possession, he tried to take on Varela in the box, but the rangy centre-back did well to hold him off.
Georgie Kelly does well to press the PAOK 'keeper into making a poor clearance. The powerful striker is trying to put himself about early on.
PAOK are passing the ball very smoothly and are cutting through the Bohs lines with ease. It's clear the Greek side are a cut above any other opposition the home side have faced in Europe.
Bohs have hardly touched the ball so far. Nelson Oliveira has the first chance of the game with a low shot. Talbot parries it into the path of Kagawa, but he's offside.
And we're off! Kagawa kicks off.
This will be a tough test for Bohs, PAOK are a seriously good side. It may be a case of hanging in there and nicking a goal.
There are some experienced heads and recognizable names in the PAOK line-up. Former Norwich striker Nelson Oliveira starts up top, attacking full-back Vieirinha starts at left-back, and Premier League and Bundesliga winner Shinji Kagawa starts in the number 10 position.
Keith Long makes no changes to the side that beat Dudelange on Thursday. Georgie Kelly starts up front, supported by the attacking midfield trio of Ali Coote, Ross Tierney and Liam Burt. Rob Cornwall starts at centre-back alongside Ciaran Kelly.
Hello and welcome to Final Whistle’s coverage of Bohemians vs PAOK in the UEFA Conference league third qualifying round. I’m Jon Parkin and I will be covering this evening’s game.