Super League leaders Olympiacos completed a hard-earned 2-1 win over this season’s surprise package OFI Crete at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium on Saturday thanks largely to a brilliant display from Hilal Soudani.

The Algerian striker scored a goal in each half, his second strike an especially memorable one, as Pedro Martin’s Thrylos side managed to claim another three-point haul to maintain their imperious form at the summit.

Georgios Simos’ OFI side gave a more than a creditable account of themselves, making the home side work incredibly hard to get the win they desperately wanted. English striker Adil Nabi, who had equalised with a goal on the stroke of half-time, was particularly impressive for the visitors from Irakleio.

In the end, though, Olympiacos did enough to take a victory which keeps them on top of the table and moves them on to 19 points after seven matches, while OFI remain in fourth spot for now ahead of tomorrow’s games with 13 points.

THE MATCH

Olympiacos, who are in action next week against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, came into this match looking for another win to maintain their undefeated start to the season and consolidate their place at the top of the table.

And the home side began strongly, with Maximiliano Lovera’s early shot after three minutes tipped onto the post at full stretch by OCI goalkeeper Dimitris Sotiriou.

Olympiacos continued to press in the opening exchanges and their pressure paid off in the 11th minute when Soudani rose highest to head home Daniel Podence’s right-wing cross.

To their credit, however, OFI did not crumble - as many teams have here this season - but instead they fought back, playing some good football in the process as they made the Olympiacos midfield and defense work hard to protect their advantage.

And their determination was rewarded in the first minute of added time when the 25-year-old Nabi surged forward and fired home an unstoppable shot past Olympiacos goalkeeper Jose Sa from just outside the penalty area.

That strike changed the outlook of the game going into the dressing rooms at half-time, and OFI began the second half brightly. The Cretans actually almost took the lead after 54 minutes but Nabi hit the left post after good work from Lisandro Semedo.

Olympiacos responded immediately and a great exchange of play involving Daniel Podence, Soudani and Guerrero ended with the Spanish forward unable to apply the finish with the ball cleared to safety by OFI defender Nikos Marinakis.

The home side continued to crank up the pressure, however, and they were rewarded with a superb goal two minutes later, and it was again Soudani with the goal.

The 31-year-old Algerian chested Miguel Guerrero’s cross with his back to goal before swiveling to score with a brilliant strike.

The hosts looked to have wrapped the game up in the 66th minute when Giorgos Masouras crossed for Guerrero to score the simplest of goals, but it was ruled out following a VAR review for offside in the build-up.

The tempo of the match dropped off in the last quarter of the match as the hard work that both teams had put in began to take its toll on tired legs, and Olympiacos managed to hold on comfortably to claim the three points.

STARTING LINEUPS

Olympiacos: 1 Sa (Gk), 23 Koutris, 34 Papadopoulos, 3 Semedo, 35 Torosidis, 8 Guilherme, 5 Bouhalakis, 2 Soudani, 22 Lovera, 10 Podence, 9 Guerrero

OFI: 32 Sotiriou (Gk), 34 Korovesis, 18 Giannoulis, 6 Nastos, 16 Marinakis, 29 Mellado, 8 Neira, 11 Semedo, 10 Nabi, 19 Tsilianidis, 20 Figueiredo

credits: www.agonasport.com