Nine-man Gżira overcome Naxxar Lions

GŻIRA UNITED         2

Bonilla 14; Andre 38

NAXXAR LIONS        1

Costa 19

Nine-man Gżira United put on a resilient performance to see off Naxxar Lions 2-1 and further increase their gap on the relegation places.

It was a clinical performance from Darren Abdilla’s men, who made the most of the chances that came their way and punished a sloppy defensive performance from the Lions.

With this win, the Maroons moved up to eighth place on 13 points, eight clear of the relegation places.

On the other hand, it was another disappointing night for Naxxar, who failed to make the most of their long spells of possession and, more in particular, their numerical advantage, which they had for more than an hour.

The Lions remained at the bottom of the standings with five points and must step up their game by a few notches if they are to retain their top-flight status.

Naxxar enjoyed all the early running for much of the opening 15 minutes, but for all their territorial advantage, they struggled to create any danger.

Instead, Gżira United struck in their first real chance on 15 minutes when Johann Bonilla created space for himself on the edge of the area and hit a curling drive that gave no chance to Naxxar Lions goalkeeper Matthias Debono.

But that setback failed to derail the Lions, who managed to restore parity on 20 minutes when Vincius showed great footwork to outmuscle Gabriel Mentz and send a low cross at the far post, where Gabriel Costa Goncalves was on hand to fire home.

The Lions had a golden opportunity to take the lead when, on 26 minutes, they were awarded a penalty for a foul by Clayton Failla on Costa Goncalves, with the referee pointing to the spot and showing the red card to the Gżira wing back.

From the spot, Alexander Firmino saw his shot saved by goalkeeper Edoardo Colombo.

Maroons coach Darren Abdilla tried to give more defensive cover to his team when he withdrew Felix Bonilha and roped in Marc Van De Bovenkamp.

Gżira United restored their lead on 38 minutes when, from a Bonilha free-kick, Andre Pena Da Costa anticipated his marker to head past Debono.

After the break, Naxxar piled up the pressure but it was Gżira who almost added a third when Andre Pena Da Costa found Fabrizio Virgens fired over.

The Maroons had an even better chance on 67 minutes when in another quick transition Virgens found Andre through on goal but the Brazilian’s shot was deviated by Debono onto the crossbar.

Gżira were reduced to nine men when David Xuereb was shown the red card for a second bookable offence.