Derby draw keeps Greens top
Panathinaikos salvaged a 1-1 draw away to AEK last night thanks to an equalizer midway through the second half from Helder Postiga that maintained the the Greens’ narrow one-point lead in the battle for the Super League soccer title. Panathinaikos leads the standings with 50 points after 22 games and with eight remaining. Olympiakos, held to a 1-1 draw by visiting Asteras Tripolis on Saturday, lies a point behind. AEK is third with 46 points. AEK took the lead in the 67th minute when Rivaldo converted a penalty that was strongly disputed by the Panathinaikos team. The visitors equalized 11 minutes later for the final 1-1 score. Olympiakos, preparing to face English powerhouse Chelsea in London this Wednesday night following a scoreless draw in their Champions League Round of 16 first leg, took an early lead against visiting Asteras Tripolis with a fine header from Julio Cesar in the third minute of play. But Asteras, playing in the top division for the first time in its 77-year history – and placed fifth – struck back in the 33rd minute when Argentinean midfielder Horacio Cardozo exploited a misunderstanding in the Olympiakos defense to send in a low drive from the edge of the box. Olympiakos striker Lomana LuaLua will miss the London clash after sustaining a shoulder injury, which, according to reports yesterday, is likely to sideline him for the season’s remainder. LuaLua joins key midfielder Luciano Galletti on the Piraeus team’s injury list. But coach Takis Lemonis expects Greece international Vassilis Torosidis to be fit again for Wednesday night. Also Saturday, last-placed Ergotelis beat visiting PAOK 2-0. In other games, all played yesterday, it was: Levadiakos-OFI, 0-3; Xanthi-Panionios, 1-2; Apollon Kalamaria-Veria, 1-0; Larissa-Iraklis, 1-0; Aris-Atromitos, 2-0.
