AEK looking good for Europe
AEK broke four points clear of Panathinaikos in its battle for the Super League’s second place and a berth for next season’s Champion League pre-group qualifiers with a 1-0 away win against Kerkyra yesterday. Later last night, Panathinaikos was humbled 2-1 at home by midtable Atromitos to lose ground in the two-horse race. Four rounds of play remain in the 16-team Super League. Breakaway front-runner and defending champion Olympiakos was held to a scoreless draw at home last night by fifth-placed Aris, currently on target for a UEFA Cup spot next season. Olympiakos, closing in on a 10th league title in 11 seasons, remains eight points clear, on 63 points. Otherwise, the situation in the Super League’s standings remains tight. A mere seven points separate ninth-placed Xanthi and Iraklis, second from last. Apart from Ionikos, a lonely last on four points, a considerable number of clubs still remain threatened by relegation. AEK earned its valuable win yesterday against Kerkyra in Corfu with an early goal in the 56th second of play from Pantelis Kapetanos. Panathinaikos looked headed for a powerful finale to the season after defeating Olympiakos, away, three rounds ago. But the Athens club has now suffered two consecutive defeats, both at home. Panathinaikos had surrendered second place to AEK last week after losing 1-0 against visiting Ergotelis. Last night, Atromitos opened the scoring against Panathinaikos in the 32nd minute with striker Christos Koutsospiros. Defender Marcelo Oliveira bolstered the visitor’s lead in the 66th minute before Panathinaikos forward Dimitris Papadopoulos narrowed it to 2-1 four minutes later. Fourth-placed PAOK maintained its bid for a UEFA Cup berth next season with a 2-0 away victory on Saturday over last-placed Ionikos, already relegated. PAOK had not won an away game since November 11. In other games yesterday, it was: Ergotelis-Apollon Kalamaria, 0-1; Xanthi-Panionios, 1-1; and Iraklis-Larissa, 1-0. In one other game played on Saturday, it was: Aegaleo-OFI, 1-2.
