Gudja United outclass Valletta to gain third win in a row

VALLETTA          1           

Curjuric 67

GUDJA UNITED              3           

Selemani 6, 90

Muchardi 22

VALLETTA

Y. Cini-5.5, J. Borg, R. Camilleri-5.5, H. Dilaver-5.5 (80 E. David), S. Dimech-5 (46 T. Caruana-5.5), M. Sansone-5.5, E. Pena Beltre-6, I. Curjuric-6.5, E. Sala-5.5, C. Prado-5.5 (70 A. Zammit), M. Fontanella-6.

GUDJA UNITED

G. Zammit-6.5, M. Muchardi-6, J. Arthur-6, A. Friggieri-6 (84 N. Dzalamidze), T. Gusman-6 (71 F. Zuniga), G. Mensah-6.5 (89 T. Nagamatsu), A. Selemani-7, H. Vella-6, N. Tabone-6, J. Bolanos-6, N. Micallef-6.

Referee: Philip Farrugia.

Yellow cards: J. Borg, G. Mensah, I. Curjuric, E. Sala, M. Sansone

Red card: J. Borg (V) 74.

BOV Player of the Match: Ivan Curjuric (Valletta).

Gudja United registered a third successive victory as two early goals paved the way for a 3-1 win over Valletta.

It was another important win for the southerners who have now moved further away from the relegation places.

The Citizens, on the other hand, were once again a disappointing lot, especially during the first half.

In the second half, they improved but following the dismissal of Jean Borg, their chances of rescuing a point from the game faded away with Gudja sealing the issue with another goal.

Gudja coach Thane Micallef opted for three changes despite the win over Sliema as James Arthur, Hubert Vella and Neil Anthony Micallef were named in the starting line-up, replacing Rodolfo Soares, Marcelo Dias and the suspended Llywelyn Cremona.

On the other hand, for Valletta, Yenz Cini deputised for the suspended Alessandro Guarnone while Haris Dilaver was preferred to Lucas Campos.  

Gudja took the lead on six minutes.

Ahinga Buenvenu Selemani advanced on the right flank and entered the area, rounding two defenders before slotting the ball past goalkeeper Yenz Cini.

The Citizens failed to react and on 17 minutes Aidan Friggieri twice went close, first with a shot from outside the area and then three minutes later from a free-kick with both efforts finished off target.

Gudja doubled the score on 22 minutes. Jean Borg and Tensior Gusman collided outside the area and Matias Muchardi gained possession and advanced into the area, hitting home past Cini.

In the second half, Valletta showed some improvement and a cross-shot by Caio Prado was blocked by Glenn Zammit.

On 65 minutes, the Gudja custodian neutralised a a cross-shot by Sansone.

Valletta pulled one back on 67 minutes. Ivan Curjuric received an assist by Fonatanella from the right and the Croatian midfielder beat Zammit with a low shot from inside the area.

Seven minutes later, Jean Borg had a goal disallowed. The referee’s decision sparked harsh protests by the Citizens and Borg received a second yellow card, leaving his side with ten men.

Substitute Andrea Zammit tried his luck for Valletta with a shot from outside the area on 77 minutes but Gudja hit back with a Selemani powerful shot which was blocked by Cini.

However, one minute in added time, Gudja sealed the issue with a third goal, Nika Dzalmidze delivered a cross from the right and Ahinga Selemani hit home from close range.