SL2 23/24: Ionikos 0-2 Athens Kallithea

AKFC took one more step closer to promotion on Monday afternoon, defeating Ionikos at Neapoli Stadium, 0-2, with a brace from captain Giannis Loukinas.

With the result, AKFC maintain a six-point lead in the playoff standings, and can clinch a return to the first division with at least one point in either of their final two matches, which will come against Chania on 9 May and Kalamata on 22 May, both to be played at Grigoris Lamprakis Stadium.

AKFC made a cautious start to the match, and were suddenly thrown into a tricky situation as both Panagiotis Kynigopoulos and Giannis Tsivelekidis were forced to come off early due to injuries. But Kynigopoulos’ replacement, Andreas Vasilogiannis, would quickly provide a spark.

With explosive runs down the right side, Vasilogiannis drew two yellow cards from Ionikos left-back Christos Tasoulis, giving AKFC a man advantage in the 40th minute, and they would capitalize just before half-time.

In the 45th minute, Loukinas intercepted a poor back pass in front of goal and had a shot attempt that was stopped, but Vasilogiannis was first to the loose ball, chipping it over the sliding ‘keeper, which allowed Loukinas to pounce on it and finish.

On the other side of half-time, AKFC very nearly extended their lead in the 55th minute, when Demethryus cut in from the right flank and fired a left-footed shot off the crossbar.

In the 68th minute, Loukinas had a major opportunity to strike again, but his header went straight at the ‘keeper from Abdul Rahman Weiss’ right-wing cross.

Despite the man advantage, AKFC really did need an insurance goal, because Ionikos remained a threat on the counter, and striker Petros Giakoumakis went dangerously close to an equalizer on two occasions, flashing a shot just wide of the post in the 74th minute and then being denied by ‘keeper Konstantinos Kotsaris in the 82nd minute.

But AKFC would finally get their second goal in stoppage time, when substitute Thierry Moutinho went on a brilliant solo run and then squared the ball for Loukinas to blast a first-time shot into the top corner.

Loukinas is on a legendary run now, with eight goals in seven playoffs games, as AKFC keep pushing.

Athens Kallithea (4-2-3-1): Kotsaris, Weiss, Mejías, Tsivelekidis (33’ Marotta), Kainourgios (46’ Manthatis), Matilla, Silva, Kynigopoulos (17’ Vasilogiannis), Demethryus (66’ Moutinho), Moustakopoulos (66’ Torres), Loukinas