SL2 23/24: Ilioupoli 1-2 Athens Kallithea

A defiant Athens Kallithea responded to a second-half equalizer with a late winner on captain Giannis Loukinas’ second goal of the match, defeating hosts Ilioupoli, 1-2, in Matchday 7 of the 2023/24 Super League 2 season.

After going winless in two consecutive matches for the first time since April 2022, AKFC came out determined to put things right, and they would take the lead almost immediately.

In the 5th minute, Orestis Tsintonis and Konstantinos Bouloulis initiated a swift counter-attack, releasing the ball into space on the left wing for Demethryus, who cut inside and picked out Loukinas to head home from close range. Alekos Vosniadis had handed Tsintonis and Bouloulis their first starts of the season, and both would put in bright performances that repaid the manager’s faith.

Besides a partial breakaway with Loukinas shooting wide, there would be no major chances for either side through the rest of the first half, as AKFC remained solid against a combative opponent and took their lead into half-time.

Coming out of the break, AKFC threatened to extend their lead, when Loukinas hit the post in the 56th minute and Georgios Moustakopoulos — also making his first start of the season — had a drive stopped by the ‘keeper in the 58th minute. But just two minutes later, Ilioupoli would strike back.

In the 60th minute, Ilioupoli earned a foul out on the wing, and on the set piece played into the box, center-back Mateus Barbosa rose above everyone to head the ball in and level the match.

Vosniadis would bring on Stelios Pozatzidis and Damián Silva in the 70th minute followed by Andreas Vasilogiannis and Michaël Pereira in the 75th minute, as AKFC kept their composure and pressed for another goal, until they finally re-took the lead just seven minutes from time.

In the 83rd minute, Silva and Moustakopoulos combined well in midfield, with Moustakopoulos switching the ball to the right flank for Pereira, who played one-two with Bouloulis and swung in a perfect cross that was firmly headed in by Loukinas.

With the goal, Loukinas sealed all three points for AKFC, and at the same time became the 20th player to reach 100 career goals in Greece’s second division.

AKFC will play away to Ionikos on Sunday 19 November 19 in Matchday 8.

Athens Kallithea (4-2-3-1): Kotsaris, Manthatis (70’ Pozatzidis), Romao, Mejías, Bouloulis, Matilla, Moustakopoulos, Kynigopoulos (74’ Vasilogiannis), Tsintonis (70’ Silva), Demethryus (74’ Pereira), Loukinas