Greek midfielder Giannis Maniatis stunned spectators after scoring a spectacular 60-meter goal as Greece beat Australia 2-1 in a friendly game in Melbourne on Tuesday. The win, a first in 38 years, came just three days after Greece lost 1-0 to Socceroos in Sydney.
The scoring kicked off with Petros Mantalos, with Maniatis making it 2-0 in the 21st in a goal kicked from well behind halfway, over the head of Aussie goalkeeper Adam Federici, caught off-guard. Trent Sainsbury managed to kick off a goal in the second half but it was Greece’s win in the end.
The last time Greece won over Australia was the 1-0 victory in Adelaide in 1978.
The last time Australia lost on its home turf was its defeat after losing to Kuwait in 2009.
The game was Australia’s final match before the September 1 qualifying game against Iraq atthe opening of the Asian World Cup qualifiers.
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