Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers scored twice as Panathinaikos thrashed Kairat Almaty 5-1 in Thursday’s UEFA Conference League encounter at the Central Stadium in Kazakhstan.
The Nigerian struck on either side of half-time as the Greek club maintained its perfect start to the league phase.
Panathinaikos needed only six minutes to take control of the match. Georgios Kyriakopoulos created the opening for Vicente Taborda, who converted to give the visitors an early advantage.
Dessers doubled the lead from the penalty spot in the 24th minute, sending goalkeeper Temirlan Anarbekov the wrong way. Panathinaikos thought they had scored again six minutes later, but the goal was disallowed following a VAR review, leaving the score at 2-0 at half-time.
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The 31-year-old required only two minutes of the second half to complete his brace. Andrews Tetteh supplied the pass before Dessers found the net to put Panathinaikos three goals ahead and effectively end Kairat’s hopes of recovering.
Kings Kangwa extended the advantage in the 57th minute before substitute Elmin Rastoder added the fifth in the 74th minute. Ismail Bekbolat scored Kairat’s consolation goal five minutes later, but Panathinaikos comfortably saw out the closing stages.
The visitors registered six shots on target from eight attempts, while Kairat managed two from four. The home side won five corners to Panathinaikos’ four but struggled to create clear chances against the Greek club’s defence.
Dessers’ double continued an impressive run in front of goal. He scored in Panathinaikos’ 2-1 Conference League victory over Borac Banja Luka before finding the net in the 5-1 league win against Asteras Tripolis, taking his tally to four goals in his last three appearances.
Panathinaikos now have six points from their opening two Conference League matches after beginning the league phase with victory over Borac. Kairat remain on one point following their opening draw with Riga.
Jacob Neestrup’s side will return to domestic action on Sunday when they visit Volos in the Greek Super League, with Dessers looking to extend his three-match scoring run.
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