Gzira U. 3
St Andrews 2
Juan Carlos Corbalan became a Gzira United hero yesterday as he scored a great goal six minutes from time to give his side a precious three points in their battle against relegation.
The United, who had been lively on the break against the fading St Andrews, had equalised moments earlier through a penalty by Andrew Cohen.
This was a match which Gzira had to win especially after Pembroke’s victory over Mosta in the earlier match.
Gzira tried hard to take the initiative but St Andrews’ thick midfield never left too much space for the United to build any dangerous attacks.
Corbalan, Moises Avila Perez and Antonio Machedo Neto tried hard to slot into position and find any openings for Louis Zome up front.
Twice St Andrews took the lead, but Gzira twice came back to equalise and then also scored what proved to be a winner in their come from behind victory.
Before Corbalan’s winning goal it seemed as if a draw was in the offing. But it was not to be and United now are looking forward with optimism towards saving their status.
There were two early clear chances for St. Andrews, in the opening exchanges with Joseph Farrugia’s cross shot tipped over the bar by Jurgen Borg; then the Gzira goalkeeper saved on Ivan Paz.
The 13th minute proved to be unlucky for Gzira United. Paz did well to drill the ball towards the centre of the penalty area for Ziga Kastrevec to try a spectacular shot which was partially blocked by a defence stretched to its limits. But there was the nippy Aidan Friggieri who prodded the ball home from the rebound.
Midway through the first half, Michael Johnson suffered a horrible head injury in an aerial duel with an opponent. The towering St Andrews defender needed lengthy medical attention, leaving his side on a numerical disadvantage. Eventually, he returned to continue playing till the end.
Exchanges remained inconclusive but suddenly, however Gzira equalised on stroke of half-time. Andrew Cohen whipped in a low cross towards the unmarked Louis Zome who did well to nip in and beat Jake Galea.
Early in the second half, Felix Udoh ran menacingly on the left flank before his cross came off Clifford Gatt Baldacchino’s elbow, prompting referee Philip Farrugia to order a penalty. Paz made no mistake from the spot. The penalty award was controversial itself with the Gzira defender claiming it was accidental.
Justice was done 11 minutes later when it was Gzira’s turn to be awarded a penalty after Johnson under pressure from Antonio Machedo Neto was adjudged to have stopped the Brazilian’s header with his arm. Cohen assumed responsibility to score his second goal from the spot in successive matches for his new club.
After that equaliser, Gzira made the most of a tired St Andrews side. They took the game to their opponents and it was no surprise that Juan Carlos Corbalan ran past the Saints defence to meet a perfect cross from the left by the tireless Zome before hitting past Galea.
Gzira U.: Jur. Borg, Jacob Borg, I. Azzopardi, C. Gatt Baldacchino, A. Cohen (E. Amaira), JC Corbalan (Z. Scerri), M. Avila Perez, LR Zome, G. Conti, A. Machedo Neto, I. Adeshina (C. Reyna).
St Andrews: J. Galea, E. Pena Beltre, F. Udoh, BW Che, M. Johnson, N. Belacevic, J. Farrugia, G. McKay (J. Walker), Z. Kastrevec, I. Paz, A. Friggieri (K. Nwoko).
Referee: P. Farrugia.
Asst refs: A. Camilleri, P. Abela.
4th official: E. Grech.
Scorers: A. Friggieri, L. Zome, Paz pen., Cohen pen, Corbalan.
Yellow cards: Udoh, Machedo, Belacevic, Zome
Player of the match: Ivan Paz (St Andrews)
TMI Top 3: 1. L. Zome, 2. I. Paz, 3. JC Corbalan.
Attendance: 272