AEK and Aris share points, Olympiacos in pole position for the league title
Source: NEOS KOSMOS
The Greek Super League’s final round of the regular season produced a number of compelling results, among which included a tense stalemate between AEK and Aris, all of which served well in Olympiacos’ claim for the championship.
All seven fixtures were fiercely contested in a dramatic 26th and final matchday on Monday morning (AEDT) that saw AEK, Panathinaikos and PAOK drop points in outcomes that have put the Piraeus giants in an excellent position ahead of the play-offs.
AEK drew 0-0 with Aris at “Kleanthis Vikelidis” Stadium in the round’s most anticipated clash, which allowed Olympiacos to go seven points clear.
The most notable highlight of the game came in the 58th minute when centre half Gerasimos Mitoglou was given a straight red card.
Enosi will be left disappointed they could not leave with a win, with the closest challengers to the “red-whites” losing further ground in the title race.
Olympiacos marked its centenary celebrations with a fitting 1-0 triumph over OFI at “Georgios Karaiskakis” Stadium, putting them in a fantastic position ahead of the play-offs.
The Cretans suffered a double blow right before the break when left back Kevin Lewis gave away a penalty and received a second yellow in the 43rd minute, with Rodinei converting the spot kick to give the “red-whites” the advantage.
The incident proved the most decisive of the game with the league leaders preserving the lead for the rest of the contest.
Kallithea stunned PAOK with a 2-1 home success to give their dreams of staying in the top flight a huge lift.
The Thessaloniki giants opened the scoring in the second minute of the game via a finish from winger Kiril Despodov, though it was soon cancelled out by Kallithea striker Migouel Alfarela (14′).
The Athenian outfit had a golden chance to sneak ahead right before half time after earning a penalty, but winger Demethryus’ effort was kept out by keeper Jiri Pavlenka.
Kallithea eventually found their second in the 90+2nd minute when substitute Giannis Loukinas scored what proved to be the winning goal, giving his club a major boost in their survival aspirations.
Panathinaikos also suffered a disappointing result in a 1-1 away draw with Atromitos that has practically put any dreams of a league title to bed.
The Peristeriotes put up a strong fight against the Greens and even managed to strike first in the 77th minute, courtesy of a finish by forward Denzel Jubitana in the bottom left.
The “Trifylli” managed to equalise in the 90th minute after a cross from Dimitrios Limnios found fellow sub Nemanja Maksimovic in the box, with the Serbian heading it into the left side of the net to rescue a point.
The draw added an extra bit of cheer to Atromitos, who confirmed a spot in the fifth-eighth play-offs, while it also served as what is essentially the final nail in the coffin of Panathinaikos’ title hopes with them now ten points adrift of first.
Lamia scored a pivotal 1-0 win against Volos at “Athanasios Diakos” ground to keep their slight survival hopes alive.
The Fthiotida side took the lead in just the fifth minute of the game, thanks to a penalty goal from striker Anestis Vlachomitros, a strike that proved sufficient in ensuring the points.
Panetolikos failed at the last hurdle to seal a spot in the top eight after drawing 0-0 with Levadiakos, resigning them to ninth place and forcing them to participate in the relegation play-outs.
Panserraikos extended Asteras Tripolis’ misery with a comeback 1-2 away win.
The Arcadians found the first goal of the fixture in the 58th minute via midfielder Miki Munoz, though their lead was short-lived as the visitors equalised two minutes later on the hour mark through a header by marksman Jefte Betancor.
The hosts failed to restore their advantage in the 77th minute after striker Federico Macheda missed his penalty attempt, with the error proving costly as the Serres side snuck ahead in the 84th minute following a headed goal from midfielder Gabriel Pires.
The result marks Asteras Tripolis’ fifth straight defeat in all competitions, a run of form they will need to overturn during the play-offs to have any chance of claiming the European qualifying spot likely to be available.
Greek Super League Ladder
1-Olympiacos: 60
2-AEK: 53
3-Panathinaikos: 50
4-PAOK: 46
5-Aris: 42
6-OFI: 36
7-Atromitos: 35
8-Asteras Tripolis: 35
9-Panetolikos: 33
10-Levadiakos: 28
11-Panserraikos: 28
12-Volos: 22
13-Kallithea: 21
14-Lamia: 15
The original article: belongs to NEOS KOSMOS .
