Watch: Naxxar Lions score twice in extra-time to knock Melita out of FA Trophy

NAXXAR LIONS     4         

Cassar 53 pen

Ndao 74; Maicon 99’

Yamaguchi 105

MELITA           2         

Debattista 9, 64’ pen

NAXXAR

A. Fenech, N. Micallef (120 M. Fenech), T. Yamaguchi (106 G. Bonanno), F. Jno-Baptiste (62 K. Haber), E. Farias, T. Ndao (120’ Q. Olalekan), R. Cassar, Maicon, F. Barbosa, D. Jackson, J. Moura.

MELITA

G. Mizzi, G. Barone (46 K. Mohnani), J. Attard (106 A. Simanca), Andre, M. Debattista (80 S. Martinez), A. Borg Olivier (106 E. Attard), M. Bovenkamp, D. Xuereb, J. Yepez (46 C. Gyamfi), K. Bondin (72 N. Cutajar), H. Motta.

Referee: Slobodan Petrovic

Yellow cards: Barone, Micallef, Attard, Andre.

Naxxar Lions secured a place in the Round of 16 of the Meridianbet FA Trophy after defeating Melita 4-2 after extra-time.

Melita had gone ahead twice but each time, Naxxar managed to level matters.

With the score still draw, the match went into extra-time and the Lions struck twice to secure a place in the next stage of the competition where they would be meeting Challenge League side Żurrieq.

Naxxar had new signings Joao Moura, Maicon and Tara Ndao making their debut while Melita included new recruit Collins Gyamfi as a substitute in the second half.

Melita managed to take the lead on nine minutes. Matthew Debattista’s well-taken freekick gave goalkeeper Andre Fenech no chance.

The Lions replied with a shot from outside the area by Tara Ndao on 24 minutes which the goalkeeper saved and three minutes later, a fine effort by Takuma Yamaguchi was deflected into a corner

On the half hour, Naxxar missed an excellent opportunity to level matters.

Referee Slobodan Petrovic ordered a penalty after Edson Farias was brought down inside the area but goalkeeper Gosef Mizzi neutralised Maicon’s effort from the penalty spot.

Five minutes from the end of the first half, the Lions threatened once again with a good move by Maicon whose curling shot from the right just missed the target.

Naxxar equalised eight minutes in the second half. Petrovic awarded them another penalty after Henrique Motta floored Takuma Yamaguchi.

Melita regained the lead on 64 minutes when they were awarded a penalty after a defender handled the ball inside the area. From the penalty spot, Debattista made no mistake.

However, Naxxar restored equilibrium on 74 minutes courtesy of Tara Ndao whose low shot from inside the area beat goalkeeper Mizzi in the bottom right corner.

Degran Jackson tested Mizzi with a shot from the left on 82 minutes but following a good run on the right flank, Santiago Martinez served Karl Mohnani whose attempt was turned into a corner on 89 minutes.

With the result still 2-2, the game went into extra-time.

Naxxar managed to take the lead on 99 minutes. Gosef Mizzi was forced to run to the edge of the area to halt the onrushing Kayne Haber and off the clearance, Maicon took the ball and beat Mizzi with a perfect lob.

Two minutes in added time in the first half of extra-time, Naxxar made it 4-2. Takuma Yamaguchi’s direct freekick gave goalkeeper Mizzi no chance.

Kayne Haber went close to increasing the lead seven minutes in the second half of extra-time but his rising shot ended just over the bar.