11/11/99 Dundee 3 Aris Salonika 2
By Dundeefc.net
April 24 2002
THU 11TH NOVEMBER
DUNDEE 3(van Eijs 48, Banger 52, Grady 78)
Aris Salonika 2 (Georgiadis 17, 59)
Subs: van Eijs (for Tweed) Robertson (for McSkimming) Banger (for Boyack) Wilkie (for Ireland) Matute (for Annand)
Aris supplied Dundee with fine opposition for the match to celebrate the opening of the two new stands at Dens Park. The Greek team passed the ball well throughout the game and provided the game with it's outstanding moment when Georgiadis hit an outstanding free kick for their second goal, but Dundee came from behind to win with a James Grady goal, while there was also delight for new boy Nicky Banger who scored on his debut and Frank van Eijs who got his first goal at dens.
The first half was played very much at 'friendly' pace and it was the visitors who took the lead in 17 minutes, strikers Daniel Lima and Agelos Xaristeas combining well before the latter laid the ball into the path of Georgiadis who fired a low shot home from 12 yards to the delight of the noisy band of fifty or so Aris supporters.
Dundee's new signing Nicky Banger came on as substitute for Boyack after half an hour and began to show some good touches but at this stage it was still Aris who looked more likely to add to the score. The goal scorer and the front men were very impressive as was Marios Christodoulo, who showed good pace down the left hand side.
The second half started with Dundee moving Frank van Eijs into a more central position and this was rewarded with the Dutchman's most impressive performance so far in his spell at Dens. He almost made an immediate impact when his shot came back off the post in the second minute of the half and two minutes later his swirling cross ended up as a goal when it bizarrely got caught between keeper Alexandros and the post - The referee ruling that it had crossed the line.
In fifty two minutes van Eijs slipped the ball to substitute Matute who's first touch after coming on ended at the feet of Banger and the new boy fired home despite a desperate effort at a clearance by Vakirtzis.
Aris again began to come into the game after falling behind and they gained reward in 59 minutes when Georgiadis hit a brilliant free kick from 25 yards which dipped and swerved into the top corner of the net. At this point they looked the more likely winners and Theodoris fired just wide from 20 yards just a minute after the goal.
In 75 minutes Aris had a good claim for a penalty when Koltsidas went down in the box and this seemed to change the game back in Dundee's favour. Banger brought the best out of Alexandros, who saved his powerful 20 yarder at full stretch in 77 minutes. One minute later, however, Dundee were back in front, Robertson slipped the ball to Grady who fired low into the net at the near post for the winner.