SL2 22/23: Athens Kallithea 3-1 PAO Rouf

After failing to convert on a host of chances and ultimately dropping two points from a 94th minute equalizer last week, AKFC responded by jumping out to a 2-0 lead within six minutes of kick-off and seeing out a 3-1 win over visiting PAO Rouf at Grigoris Lamprakis Stadium on Sunday afternoon in Matchday 15 of the 2022/23 Super League 2 season.

AKFC wasted no time and struck first in the second minute, as Panagiotis Kynigopoulos set up English attacking midfielder Adil Nabi to score his first goal for the club since arriving in January from Super League 1 side Atromitos.

Just four minutes later, AKFC added the second goal that was missing in the previous round, with Kynigopoulos once again the provider from the right wing, and Demethryus arriving at the far post to head home his second goal in as many matches.

AKFC didn’t immediately ease up, but would miss several chances to make it a more comfortable 3-0 lead, before some complacency set in in the second half, allowing PAO Rouf to pull one back in the 72nd minute, when Panagiotis Dalamitras cut inside from the right wing to finish with his left foot.

Suddenly AKFC had to guard against conceded another shock equalizer. But they would hold their nerve, and Kynigopoulos finally put the result beyond doubt four minutes from time, latching onto a defense-splitting pass from substitute Anthony Mounier and slotting the ball past the charging ‘keeper.

The victory brings AKFC to the midpoint of the season in second place, just four points out from the top of the table.

Athens Kallithea (4-3-3): Strezos, Weiss (89’ Rentzas), Kyrgias (46’ Koltsidas), Vlachos, Kainourgios (46’ Pereyra), Babis, Matilla, Nabi, Kynigopoulos, Loukinas (70’ Malçi), Demethryus (70’ Mounier)