SL2 23/24: Chania 0-0 Athens Kallithea

In a top-of-the-table clash, league leaders AKFC arrived in Crete with a six-point lead on second-place Chania, and with a calculated approach produced a scoreless draw to hold the hosts in their place.

AKFC were conservative from the start, but remaining organized and compact they did not allow a chance in a mostly uneventful first half.

Early into the second half, AKFC had their first good look at goal when Giannis Loukinas headed wide of the target. Soon after, manager Alekos Vosniadis made a triple substitution, introducing injury returnees Thierry Mouthinho and Georgios Moustakopoulos along with creative spark Demethryus in the 54th minute, and the move would tip the balance of the match, as AKFC began to dominate the ball.

After missing four months, Moutinho was an immediate game-changer in his return, and he would go very close to celebrating the occasion with a goal, but his free header from Konstantinos Bouloulis’ cross went straight at the ‘keeper.

As time ticked on, AKFC were satisfied enough to keep their grip on the match rather than risk further, they would ultimately play out a result that serves them well.

AKFC return home to face Ilioupoli — who have now overtaken Chania in second place — on Monday 12 February.

Athens Kallithea (4-3-3): Kotsaris, Bouloulis, Mejías, Tsivelekidis, Manthatis, Matilla, Silva (54’ Moustakopoulos), Tsintonis (54’ Moutinho), Kynigopoulos (90’ Marotta), Loukinas (54’ Demethryus), Vasilogiannis