Ghana defender, Baba Abdul Rahman scored in PAOK’s emphatic 4-0 win over Shamrock Rovers in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League playoff round on Thursday.
After narrowly missing out on a UEFA Champions League spot due to their defeat to Malmö FF, PAOK is now determined to make their mark in European competition.
The match’s breakthrough came just before halftime when Shamrock Rovers’ Daniel Cleary scored an own goal in the 45+5 minute, putting PAOK ahead.
PAOK wasted no time in the second half, with Taison doubling their lead in the 48th minute. Just five minutes later, Shamrock Rovers were reduced to ten men when Joshua Honohan was shown a red card.
Giannis Konstantelias further solidified PAOK’s dominance with a third goal in the 68th minute, courtesy of an assist from Taison.
Baba Rahman, who played the full 90 minutes, sealed the victory with a spectacular left-footed strike in the 90+4 minute, sending the ball into the top corner.
The teams will face off again in the second leg on Thursday, August 29, at Tallaght Stadium.