Mantalos goal brings AEK on top in play-offs

AEK has climbed to the top of the play-off mini-league after beating Panionios 1-0 on Friday for the second round of games, in the process that will determine which club will follow Olympiakos to the Champions League qualifiers.

The recently crowned Cup winners needed a Petros Mantalos goal on the 57th minute to beat the strong Panionios defense at the Olympic Stadium of Athens.

Before the game AEK paraded the Cup’s trophy to the thousands of AEK fans who rushed to cheer on the players for beating Olympiakos in Tuesday’s final behind closed doors at the same venue.

AEK is now on five points, Panathinaikos and PAOK have four, and Panionios has one.

On Monday AEK visits Panathinaikos and Panionios hosts PAOK.