Olympiakos routed visiting Iraklis 5-0 Sunday in the Greek league, scoring five second-half goals to move the defending champions closer to yet another title.

Vassilis Torossidis gave Olympiakos the lead, followed by two goals each from Argentine midfielder Oscar and Matt Derbyshire.

The defending champions, who won 11 of the last 12 league titles, have 62 points from 26 games, nine ahead of Panathinaikos, which beat host Thrassivoulos 1-0.

Olympiakos controlled play from kickoff, nearly scoring in the fourth minute when a shot by Fernando Belluschi from inside the area sailed over Giorgos Bantis crossbar.

Iraklis, which is close to the relegation zone, had its scoring opportunity in the 16th when a low drive by Fernando Marques forced Antonis Nikopolidis to make a fingertip save.

Nikopolidis stole the ball from Iraklis striker Miguel Garcia, who was ready to score before Torossidis gave Olympiakos the lead with a header off a free kick from Belluschi in the 60th.

Four minutes later, Oscar, who replaced Giannis Papadopoulos in the 56th, made it 2-0 off a through ball, again from Belluschi.

Oscar stretched it to 3-0 in the 79th before Derbyshire – on loan from Blackburn – scored in the 82nd and 87th minutes.

Also Sunday, it was: Ergotelis 0, Asteras 1; Levadiakos 1, Panionios 1; and Panthrakikos 2, Panserraikos 1.

Posted on March 16th, 2009 by admin
Filed under: Soccer news