Naxxar Lions punish sloppy Birkirkara to claim first win in Closing Round

NAXXAR LIONS 2

Papazov 42og

Maicon 56

BIRKIRKARA 1

Maia 13,

NAXXAR LIONS

M. Debono, N. Micallef, B. Sane, N. Pace Cocks, E. Farias (76 T. Yamaguchi), R. Cassar, H. Coelho (76 T. Ndao) (87 J.P. Farrugia), A. Helder, Maicon, F. Barbosa Pereira Y. Ito

BIRKIRKARA

G. Volpi, M. Morello, P. Gaitan (46 A. De Paixao), K. Reid (73 B. Esalo), T. Papazov, A. Satariano, L. Lacunza, N. Micallef (60 P. Mbong), A. Coppola, S. Donovan (73 S. Dimech) , M. Maia.

Referee: Philip Farrugia.

Yellow cards: Cassar, Sane, Papazov, Coelho.

Red card: Yamaguchi (N) 90.

An eventful week for Naxxar Lions ended on an uplifting note as coach George Vella stayed on to see his side coming from behind to shock Birkirkara.

Vella had offered his resignition from the struggling Premier League outfit followingtheir 3-0 defeat to Balzan, but the club officials have refused to accept it.

Birkirkara remained fourth but could go five points adrift of leaders Ħamrun Spartans if they beat Melita today.

Stefano de Angelis’ men were made to pay for a host of errors at the back and for failing to raise their game sufficiently after the break against a team still looking for their first points in the Closing Round.

Individual errors were to blame – with Tomislav Papazov the main culprit as he committed a freak own goal at the end of the opening half before Maicon, ran into the area unmarked to apply the simplest of finishes to Bacary Sane’s cross.

The victory left the few Naxxar Lions supporters into raptures, while Birkirkara players were left to reflect on another poor performance.

Birkirkara dominated the early stages and took the lead after 13 minutes. Maxuell Maia looked sharp and scored the opener with a bullet header from Lautaro Lacunza’s corner kick. 

That was the highlight of a fairly tame opening to the match but the game exploded just before half-time

Naxxar had created precious little until the 42nd minute when a moment of madness from Papazov gifted the Lions a route back into the match.

The Bulgarian defender diverted Ryan Cassar’s misplaced cross into his own net as the ball arched over the stranded goalkeeper Giacomo Volpe to hand Naxxar their equaliser.

Birkirkara coach Stefano de Angelis made a change at the interval , replacing Pablo Gaitan with Alex Alves.

The Stripes had more of the possession but Naxxar posed the greater threat.

Birkirkara were looking uncertain in defence and Naxxar went in front when Bacary Sane crossed into the danger area and Maicon, who started the season with Birkirkara, was allowed to flick in his effort past Volpi.

The Birkirkara coach made a double substitution with 17 minutes left, sending on Shaun Dimech and Brian Esalo after Paul Mbong had substituted Neil Micallef on the hour mark.

But Birkirkara’s late reply provided little threat with the best chance coming ten minutes from time, Manual Morello curling a cross-cum-shot agonisingly wide.

At death, substitute Takuma Yamaguchi was sent off for retaliation but Birkirkara had no time to make their numerical advantage count.