Asteras Tripolis Defeat Aris To Become New World Champions

Greek Super League strugglers Asteras Tripolis had hope when heading into their all important clash with high flyers Aris Thessaloniki , having won their first game in a long time last week with a 3-1 home win over relegated Panthrakikos.

And it was such hope which has now led them to a second successive win, defeating the mighty Aris 2-1 at the Asteras Tripolis Stadium.

The win had added significance considering it not only pushed Asteras higher up the league, but it also ensured they became the best team in the world, courtesy of Barney Corkhill's Unofficial World Club Championship (UWCC ).

Home side Asteras took the lead in emphatic style, when after just five minutes of the match, Brazilian striker Eder unleashed a ferocious shot from 25 yards into the bottom corner of the goal, well past the helpless Aris goalkeeper Michalis Sifakis.

And the hosts soon doubled their advantage, as Italian-Argentine Sebastián Bartolini scored on 14 minutes.

Following a free-kick fizzled in from the right, the rock-solid defender slid in at the far post to convert the cross and put Asteras Tripolis 2-0 up.

Aris pulled back a consolation goal late on, as Spanish striker and captain Sergio Koke dived in to head home after poor defending by the home team.

But by that time, it was too little too late for the fifth placed Super League side.

Only 23.1 percent correctly predicted that Asteras Tripolis would beat Aris to claim the UWCC title, so congratulations to the minority!

Prediction: Aris win (0-2)      Actual Result: Asteras Tripolis win (2-1)

Correct prediction streak: None. Nada. Zilch. Zero. You get the idea...

Asteras Tripolis' run

Asteras Tripolis 2-1 Aris

(Click here to see the complete history of Barney Corkhill's Unofficial World Club Championship)

Asteras Tripolis' first title defence comes on Sunday 18 April when they take on big guns AEK Athens away from home in the Greek Super League. The match is a 5pm kick-off (GMT).

Form book (last five matches): Asteras Tripolis - LLLWW; AEK Athens - LWWDD

Yoosof's Prediction: AEK Athens 3-1 Asteras Tripolis

To see Greek Super League table after matchday 29, click here .

What are your predictions for this upcoming fixture? Can Asteras Tripolis pull off yet another big shock, and actually retain their UWCC title?! Or will AEK Athens flex their muscles and push lowly Asteras to one side with a sweeping victory in the final game of the regular season?

Please be sure to voice your opinions in the comments section!

To see the goals from Asteras' 2-1 win over Aris, click here  (1-0), here (2-0) and here  (2-1).

ATTENTION: DUE TO A SEVEN-WEEK ROADTRIP ACROSS AMERICA, BARNEY CORKHILL WILL BE UNABLE TO FULFIL HIS UWCC DUTIES, INSTEAD HANDING THEM OVER TO YOOSOF FARAH DURING THAT TIME!