Greek Cup: Athens Kallithea 2-2 Panetolikos

AKFC’s cup run came to an end in the Round of 16 on Wednesday afternoon, as they fell 5-4 on aggregate to Super League 1 side Panetolikos following a 2-2 draw at Grigoris Lamprakis Stadium, with the focus now shifting back to the league.

After a bright start, AKFC were stunned by two early set pieces, with center-back Bruno Duarte heading in a free-kick in the 7th minute and then Venezuela international Juanpi unleashing a swerving free-kick past Panos Vosniadis five minutes later, giving Panetolikos a 0-2 lead.

But AKFC quickly regrouped and soon pulled one back, when Andreas Vasilogiannis’ cross found Giannis Loukinas to head home in the 36th minute, bringing the score to 1-2 going into half-time.

AKFC would dominate the ball through the second half, though clear chances would be hard to come by, until newly signed Argentinian striker Gonzalo Torres struck his first goal for the club with a fierce volley to equalize in the 90th minute.

As AKFC poured forward forward for another goal to send the match into extra time, Panetolikos appeared to handle the ball in the box, but the referee would waive away appeals for a penalty, and the comeback effort would fall just short.

AKFC return to league play on Monday 22 January away to Giouchtas in Matchday 15 of the 2023/24 Super League 2 season.

Athens Kallithea (4-3-3): Vosniadis, Bouloulis, Marotta, Vlachos, Manthatis, Romao (46’ Matilla), Silva, Tsintonis (46’ Kynigopoulos), Vasilogiannis (65’ Necul), Loukinas, Demethryus (75’ Torres)