Garry Rodrigues, who was voted Vodafone MVP of the encounter by media representatives in Toumba Stadium, collected his award and then spoke about his team’s huge victory, about his goal and the tough matches ahead:

Every goal is important. It’s good to help my team by scoring. We worked well collectively. We should always play as a team, passionately, in order to overcome adversities in a match. It wasn’t a quality game. It was our first play-off game and we wanted to win, as it will also boost us morally ahead of upcoming encounters. With only five matches left and top spot as main objective, every match is hugely important. There was no hidden meaning in the way I celebrated. Nothing of significance…«.

Giannis Mystakidis was the hero of the night, as he netted the winner with a great header just 63 seconds after entering the pitch. He sang the praise of Giorgos Tzavellas for his exquisite assist, spoke about everything he has learnt this season and about the next game, against Panathinaikos in Leoforos:

Tzavellas’s cross was magnificent. I knew I was onside and I had also seen the goalkeeper away from his goal and tried to lob him. The chance during stoppage time was also good. I went past the defender, but my shot was rather weak and the goalkeeper saved it. I was in the 6-yard box, didn’t have an option to pass the ball, so I decided to shoot. It was a good effort by AEK’s goalkeeper«.

I have been taught a lot by the coaches that guide me in my first Super League season. I had it tough at first, but I have learnt to never give up. I always aim to improve and I believe that I am successful in my effort. We had many injuries and our season suffered for it. Hopefully we will all be healthy now and our team will improve. I don’t know what the reason is behind so many injuries. Mine was due to fatigue«.

We started positively. That’s very important. It’s sad to play in empty Toumba and we dedicate this victory to PAOK’s fans. We take each match separately and now we aim to defeat Panathinaikos in Leoforos. Our objective is top spot in the play-offs. Second place will be a failure. We only aim for top spot«.