Friendly Fire: Olympiacos 4-0 Al-Hilal

By: Peter Katsiris | August 21st, 2008

Giving their best performance of the summer thus far, Olympiacos thrashed Saudi Arabian club, Al-Hilal, at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium. Goals from Luciano Galletti, Fernando Belluschi, and a double from Darko Kovacevic overwhelmed the visitors.

Responding to the criticism for the club’s 3-0 loss to Cypriot side Anorthosis last week, Olympiacos showed flare from the starting blocks. Pursuing a goal from the opening minute, a new line of attack including summer acquisition Sebastian Leto forced the opposition into the Olympiacos attacking third.

After several misleading surges, the Olympiacos final went ahead on twenty minutes. A perfect centering pass from Fernando Belluschi found the feet of Luciano Galletti, and the Argentine winger placed the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

Just over an hour into the game and it was 2-0; this time a pass from Predrag Djordjevic found a speedy Belluschi, and the former-River Plate superstar slotted the ball into the Al-Hilal net.

The game was surely put out of reach five minutes later when Darko Kovacevic added his name to the score sheet. Belluschi played provider again, and the tall Serbian sent a powerful header past the Al-Hilal keeper.

Adding to his tally, Kovacevic struck again twenty minutes later. After wingback Leonardo weaved through the Al-Hilal defense, a cross from the Brazilian was met by Kovacevic and easily turned into the Al-Hilal goal.

Playing some part, but making little impact in his debut, was Dudu Cearanse - another of the club’s summer signings.

The win is a satisfying result for Olympiacos; especially for a club playing without several starters, and ailing from the possibility of an early Champions League exit. However, the scoring on display last night gives fans hope ahead of the return leg against Anorthosis Famagusta next week.

Olympiacos 4-0 Al Hilal
Galletti 20′, Belluschi 62′, Kovacevic 67′, 82′

Olympiacos (Ernesto Valverde): Kovac, Domi (60′ Djordjevic), Pantos, Antzas (80′ K. Papadopoulos), Bravo, Stoltidis, Dudu (67′ Mendrinos), Leto (60′ Leonardo), Galletti (76′ Oscar), Belluschi (76′ Katsikogiannis), Kovacevic (89′ Niklitsiotis)