Soccer-AEK Athens knocked out of Greek Cup

By Barney Spender

ATHENS, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Super League title challengers AEK Athens were knocked out of the Greek Cup when they were beaten 2-0 by Xanthi in the last 16 on Wednesday.

AEK were hampered by the absence of several first-team regulars, including Rivaldo and Akis Zikos.

Canadian international Tomasz Radzinski opened the scoring for Xanthi in the 62nd minute with Stavros Lambriakos adding the second three minutes from time.

Aris Salonika secured their place in the last eight with a comfortable 3-0 win over third division Ethnikos with two goals from Vladan Ivic.

Thrasyvoulos made sure that the second division would have at least one representative in the quarter-finals when they overcame another third division side Preveza 3-0.

In the other game played on Wednesday, OFI Crete, who are fourth from bottom in the Super League, had to settle for a 1-1 draw at second division Agrotikos Asteras.

OFI took the lead through Leozinho in the 61st minute but Agrotikos, who reached the semi-finals two years ago when they were still in the third division, equalised in the 79th minute through their captain Nikos Kyzeridis.

The replay in Iraklion will take place either on Jan. 23 or Feb. 13.

(Editing by Pritha Sarkar)