Olympiacos beat Partizan in Champions League qualifiers

Greek outfit Olympiacos FC defeated hosts Partizan Belgrade 3-1 in the first game of the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League here.

After playing an even game in the first half which ended 1-1 here on Tuesday, Olympiacos turned the match around at the beginning of the second half, reports Xinhua news agency.

El Fardou Ben Nabouhane from the Comoros scored first in the sixth minute of the match and sealed victory for the Greek team in the 56th minute. Partizan answered with a single goal in the 10th minute, scored by Leandre Tawamba of Cameroon.

The lead was expanded further by Emmanuel Emenike in the 91st minute.

Partizan coach Miroslav Djukic said after the match that his team played aggressively and that he has no objections towards their approach to the match, despite the defeat.

"It is a pity we received such goals. I cannot blame the team because one must pay for their mistakes, and it is impossible to win if you make them," Djukic said, adding that Partizan was on top of the game during the first half.

The second game which decides which of the two teams will proceed through the playoffs and reach the group stage will be played on August 2 in Piraeus, Greece.

--IANS

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