SL2 23/24: Olympiacos B 1-2 Athens Kallithea

A statement of intent to start the new year, as AKFC earned a key victory on Saturday afternoon, winning away to Olympiacos B, 1-2, in Matchday 13 of the 2023/24 Super League 2 season.

Olympiacos had only lost once in the first half of the season (to AKFC in the reverse fixture in October), so it was set to be a serious test, but AKFC seized control from the start, and took a deserved early lead. In the 20th minute, Demethryus ran onto a loose ball from a corner kick and struck it first time past the ‘keeper for his first goal of the season, putting AKFC in front, 0-1.

AKFC remained dominant into the second half, and they would extend their lead in the 73rd minute. After coming on as a substitute, Andreas Vasilogiannis produced some magical work on the right wing, carving through the defense and setting up Demethryus for an easy tap-in at the back post.

Olympiacos wouldn’t go away quietly, and they pulled one back in the 86th minute through Angelos Argyriou’s firm header from a corner. But AKFC ultimately contained a late push from the hosts, thanks to some tough defending and a stellar performance from ‘keeper Konstantinos Kotsaris, who has been one of the unsung heroes of the season thus far.

AKFC return home to face Panathinaikos B on Saturday 13 January in Matchday 14 of the Super League 2 season.

Athens Kallithea (4-2-3-1): Kotsaris, Bouloulis, Marotta, Mejías, Manthatis (71’ Tsivelekidis), Matilla, Silva, Moustakopoulos, Kynigopoulos, Loukinas (71’ Vasilogiannis), Demethryus (88’ Romao)