Ten-man Gżira United fight back to earn point against Birkirkara

BIRKIRKARA  2         

Yipke 9; Maia 68

GŻIRA UNITED          2         

Riascos 12, Macula 86

BIRKIRKARA

G. Volpe, M. Morello, A. Sandona, A. Satariano, L. Lacunza, N. Micallef (67 P. Mbong), N. Cross (81 S. Dimech), D. Makoma, A. Da Paixao, M. Maia, G. Yipke (67 A. Coppola).

GŻIRA UNITED

G., Mangano, G. Mentz, E. Pepe, A. Borg, T. Aldama, L. Macula, L. Riascos, S. Sno, D. Barbosa (58 Z. Scerri), S. Denic (58 K. Tulimieri), Thiaguinho.

Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann

Yellow cards: E. Pepe, N. Micallef, A. Sandona, L. Riascos, L. Lacunza.

Red card: Pepe (G) 50.

Missed penalty: Maia (B) 8.

Gżira United survived the second-half dismissal of Enrico Pepe to fight back and hold title challengers Birkirkara to a 2-2 draw.

Birkirkara will surely will left to rue two points dropped as after seeing Gżira United reduced to ten men following the dismissal of Enrico Pepe they had managed to go 2-1 up through Maxuell Maia.

But Gżira United showed remarkable resilience as despite being a man down they kept pushing forward and their efforts were rewarded when Lucas Macula fired home the equaliser.

Tedesco named goalkeeper Giulio Mangano in the starting line-up along with new signings Diogo Barbosa and Stefan Denic.

On the other hand, Stefano De Angelis opted to start with Alessandro Coppola and Paul Mbong on the bench as Donovan Makoma made his first league start.

The Stripes went out in search of an early goal and Gżira goalkeeper Mangano saved at point-blank a Gnamien Yipke close-range effort after five minutes.

Two minutes later, Birkirkara were awarded a penalty after Shaquill Son brought Manuel Morello down inside the area. But Maxuell Maia’s effort from the spot was neutralised by the Gżira custodian, aided by the post.

However, the Stripes took the lead a minute later. Alex Da Paixao delivered a corner from the left and Yipke placed the ball into the back of the net from close in.

But three minutes later, Gżira levelled matters. Gabriel Mentz had a low shot from the edge of the area partially saved by Volpe but Luis RIascos was first on the rebound to fire home.

Mangano then performed a good save on a Maia header on the half hour and just before the end of the first half, Volpe abandoned the penalty area in an attempt to halt a fine run by Thaylor but the latter anticipated him although the ball was eventually cleared into safety by a defender.

Five minutes in the second half, the Maroons were reduced to ten men after Enrico Pepe received  a second yellow card.

But Gżira threatened again with a Lucas Macula effort from the edge of the area which ended high on 59 minutes.

However, nine minutes later, Birkirkara regained the lead. Mbong concluded a fine run by serving Maia on the right and the latter gave goalkeeper Giulio Mangano no chance.

The Maroons replied with a Mentz freekick which ended wide on 74 minutes.

Five minutes later, Mbong tested Mangano with a shot from the edge of the area when served by Leandro Lacunza.

However four minutes from time, Gżira restored equilibrium.

Kevin Tulimieri provided the assist for Macula and his diagonal shot from the right saw the ball hit the foot of the upright before ending into the back of the net.