Former Nottingham Forest man Karim Ansarifard enjoyed a night to remember last night as he scored a stoppage-time winner to send AEK Athens to the Europa League group stages.
The Greek outfit were up against it having been handed a daunting showdown against Bundesliga side Wolfsburg.
Their mission to reach the group stages proved even tougher when Admir Mehmedi fired the visitors into the lead in first-half stoppage time.
Massimo Carrera’s men were a different side in the second half though and after Andre Simoes had scored with 26 minutes to play, Ansarifard stole the show with his late winner.
Ansarifard only arrived in Greece during the summer, checking in from Al Sailiya who he signed for from Forest.
The man with 74 caps for Iran was only thrown into the action with three minutes remaining last night, replacing ex-Forest frontman Nelson Oliveira.
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Reaching the Europa League group stages is a big thing for the Greek side and the 30-year-old will now hope for more chances to impress.
He has started both league games so far this season but has failed to find the net just yet domestically.
City Ground frustration
Ansarifard wasn’t a bad player during his time at the City Ground and some might consider him underused.
The striker was signed by Aitor Karanka to provide Lewis Grabban with some competition in 2018.
In 12 appearances with the Reds, he scored twice in games against Hull City and QPR, whilst he also registered two assists.
Ansarifard only actually started three times for the club before being offloaded at the start of the 2019/20 campaign.
AEK Athens are in Pot 3 for today’s Europa League draw, along with Scottish Premiership side Rangers.
With that in mind, the Greek giants could be drawn alongside British contingent with Celtic, Leicester, Arsenal and Tottenham all an option for Athens to draw.
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