GŻIRA UNITED 2
Bohrer 13 pen., 62 pen.
ŻABBAR SP 1
Tavares 84
GŻIRA UNITED
J. Haber, G. Bohrer, J. Minala (62 A. Borg), E. Pepe, A. Thaylor, Z. Scerri, M. Dias, F. Chouaib (77 D. Henrique), L. Riascos, A. Alves, T. Espindola.
ŻABBAR ST PATRICKS
M. Grech, J. Micallef, M. Augusto (57 K. Keqi), F. Bonilha (67 J. De Sa Mendonca), B. Gambarte (81 I. Akpan), S. Ilic, J. Tavares, S. Jovancic, L. Agius (57 K. Buhagiar), V. De Paiva, D. Jovicic.
Referee: Daniel Portelli.
Yellow cards: Minala, Riascos.
Malta defender Gabriel Mentz has shrugged off the deep disappointment of his dismissal against Andorra to net two penalties as Gżira United marked the start of Giovanni Tedesco’s second spell as the Maroons coach with a hard-fought victory over Żabbar St Patrick.
The Italian mentor ditched predecessor Andrew Cohen’s three-man defence and opted for a 4-1-4-1 configuration.
Enrico Pepe partnered Mentz in central defence, Marcelo Dias filled in at the right flank and Thiago Espindola manned the left flank. This defence reacted well to Tedesco’s tactical change to the point that their opponents took their first touch in the Maroons’ box on 25th minute.
Gżira made a bright start to the match.
After four minutes, Luis Riascos was granted enough space on the right to deliver a cross for Mentz who rose above friend and foe but his header hit the bar.
But the reprieve did not last long for Żabbar. Thaylor weaved his way into the opponents’ box with a penetrating run. He squared the ball for Alex Alves Alves.
Żabbar defender Jake Micallef almost committed an own goal in a bid to anticipate the Brazilian defender. Matthew Grech made a vital goalline block, but the ball fell into the path of Faysal Chouaib. The goalkeeper rushed out of his line to bundle him over. From the ensuing spot kick, Mentz sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.
After a lull in play, Gżira created a glorious chance to double the lead five minutes from half-time.
Dias cut in from the right and found Alves on the edge of the area but the the Brazilian shot straight at Grech.
Many thought that Aniello Parisi, the Żabbar coach, would try to inject some life and punch in his teams’ play after the change of ends.
Yet, there were no substitutions at half-time to support any possible new attacking strategies for the Blacks. Ironically, the Saints threatened first when Leonardo Agius hit a teasing diagonal shot which flashed wide.
Although Parisi did not make any changes in his personnel at half-time, the Italian coach did do some tactical switches, giving Stefan IIic a more attacking role and roam behind the main striker.
Żabbar’s initial frenzy after the break, was giving the slow-moving Gżira defenders a torrid time. And it was the cue for Parisi to bring in former Floriana and Marsaxlokk striker Kristian Keqi.
But, Żabbar’s defence frailty came back to haunt them when Strahinja Jovancic pushed Alves down in the box under the watchful eye of referee Daniel Portelli who pointed to the spot. Mentz presented himself again and hit a low shot into the corner.
After doubling their advantage, the Maroons fell into a state of complacency and Żabbar unlocked their defence with a simple strategy.
From a throw-in, Micallef took a bit of a run-up, arched his back and launched the ball as high and as far could muster. The ball flew to Joao Tavares who headed the ball over Justin Haber.
Żabbar put pressure on the Gżira’s rearguard in the final minutes of the match but the Maroons held on to take full points.
