SL2 23/24: Kalamata 0-1 Athens Kallithea

Poised under pressure, Javier Matilla slotted in a second-half penalty to secure a key 0-1 victory in Kalamata on Sunday afternoon, which gave AKFC a three-point lead in the playoff standings with four matches remaining.

As they probed for a way through Kalamata’s low defensive block, AKFC went close to scoring twice in the first half through Demethryus, who hit a spectacular bicycle kick straight at the ‘keeper in the 25th minute and then went off the post in the 38th minute, but otherwise there was little in the match.

AKFC upped the tempo from the start of the second half, with Gonzalo Torres shooting just wide in the 47th minute and Georgios Manthatis nearly winning a penalty in the 56th minute, until substitute Panagiotis Kynigopoulos did indeed win a penalty as he latched onto a through ball from Georgios Moustakopoulos, which was put away by Matilla in the 60th minute.

Konstantinos Kotsaris made an excellent save in the 64th minute, and the back line — which featured the welcome return of Mejías — would hold firm over the final half hour to close out an important result.

AKFC will return home to host Ilioupoli at Grigoris Lamprakis Stadium on Sunday 21 April in the sixth round of the promotion playoffs.

Athens Kallithea (4-2-3-1): Kotsaris, Manthatis, Mejías, Tsivelekidis, Kainourgios, Matilla, Moustakopoulos, Vasilogiannis (86’ Marotta), Torres (53’ Kynigopoulos), Demethryus, Loukinas (78’ Bouloulis)