Naxxar Lions stun Gżira United to move clear of relegation places

GŻIRA UNITED          0

NAXXAR LIONS         2         

Farias 45; Sane 79’

GŻIRA UNITED

G. Mangano, G. Mentz, E. Pepe, A. Borg, T. Aldama, F Chouaib (58 K.Tulimieri), Macula, L. Riascos (69 S. Sno), D. Barbosa, T. Espindola, J. Mendoza (83 B. Borg).

NAXXAR LIONS

M. Debono, N. Micallef, B. Sane (88 G. Bonanno), N. Pace Cocks, E. Bolanos (88 M. Micallef), E. Farias (88 T. Ndao), H. Santos (75 J. Hernandez), Maicon (34 T. Yamaguchi), F. Barbosa, J. Moura, Y. Ito.

Referee: Alex Johnson.

Yellow cards: Mendoza, Barbosa, Pepe, Pace Cocks, Sno.

Naxxar Lions claimed three important points in their bid to avoid automatic relegation as they defeated Gżira United 2-0.

This crucial victory lifted Gżira United level on points with the Maroons, three points ahead of Balzan.

This weekend, Naxxar cross swords with Balzan while Gżira take on Melita. A draw for the Lions would be enough to avoid the bottom two places and set up a relegation play-off with Melita.

Gżira, who were coming from back-to-back wins over Żabbar St Patrick and Hibernians, therefore need at least a point from their last game to retain their Malta Premier status.

Gżira held the initiative throughout but it was Naxxar who threatened on 11 minutes when Edson Farias headed just wide off a Maicon cross.

The Maroons continued to dominate but had to wait till the 45th minute to threaten when goalkeeper Matthias Debono came to the rescue blocking a fine Thiago Espindola freekick.

However, five minutes in added time, Naxxar forged ahead thanks to Edson Farias whose powerful long-distance freekick gave goalkeeper Giulio Mangano no chance.

Jackson Mendoza had a fine shot from outside the area neutralised by Debono on 55 minutes and three minutes later, the Naxxar custodian performed a good save on Espindola.

On 64 minutes, Farias sent Edward Bolanos through for Naxxar but the latter hit high from the edge of the area.

Seconds later, Gżira went close to equalising with a powerful shot by substitute Kevin Tulimieri which scraped past the post.

Bacary Sane then came to the rescue for Naxxar anticipating Enrico Pepe to clear the ball into safety off a corner from the left by Espindola on 72 minutes.

However, Naxxar doubled the score on 79 minutes. Takuma Yamaguchi delivered a freekick from the right, creating havoc inside the area, with Sane slotting the ball past the Gżira custodian.

Five minutes from time, Tulimieri had a fine rising shot from the edge of the area ending just over the bar as Gżira tried to reduce the gap.

In the dying minutes, Sane sustained an injury, with the player being taken to hospital by an ambulance.

The game resumed ten minutes later and thirteen minutes in added time, substitute Tara Ndao almost added a third goal but his shot from the left ended wide.