OFI Crete’s sensational start to the season just keeps getting better as the Irakleio club clinched a 2-0 win over Xanthi on Saturday evening to leapfrog their opponents into third spot.

The Cretans didn’t have it all their own way against a talented Xanthi side, who have also enjoyed a solid start to the season, but in the end goals from Vitor Figureiredo and Lisandro Semedo sealed the win.

It’s a victory which sparked jubilant celebrations at the Theodoros Vardynogiannis stadium in Irakleio, and moved OFI on to 16 points, just three behind leaders Olympiacos who face AEK in the Athens derby on Sunday.

Xanthi drop down to fourth place with 15 points after eight matches.

While the OFI faithful celebrated their fifth victory of the campaign, it did not seem that this would be the case on the early evidence of the game. Xanthi made a strong start and Fábio Sturgeon had the ball in the net after 14 minutes - but that effort was ruled out for offside.

Next it was OFI’s turn to go close when they were awarded a penalty in the 22nd minute. Adil Nabi stepped up to take the spot-kick, but Xanthi’s Spanish goalkeeper Carlos Abad was equal to it and parried the ball away to safety.

OFI finally broke the deadlock in the 47th minute through Figureiredo, and although Xanthi battled manfully in search of an equaliser, it was not forthcoming and the home side wrapped up the points with Semedo’s strike in the first minute of added time.

There was still time for one more chance for Xanthi, but Italian forward Vincenzo Rennella headed against the woodwork.

credits: www.agonasport.com