Qormi 1
Tarxien R. 2
Qormi: J. Azzopardi, D. Mansi, Y. Yankam, A. Rozzi (M. Bangoura 74), M. Micallef, F. Gnundokponou, A. Abela (I. Zammit 88), J. Lokando, L. Santana (M. Borg 83), R. Romeu, T. Gusman
Tarxien R.: M. Buhagiar, JA Wemmer, JC Gill, M. Spiteri, G. Aquilina (M. Brincat 73), L. Grech (D. Zerafa 46), D. Falzon (SE Arab 54), D. Mambouana, A. De Barros, R. Faria, A. Nilsson
Referee: G. Tonna
Asst refs: D. Sultana, D. Petrovic
4th official: A. Johnson
Scorers: A. Nilsson 11, Y. Yankam 35, JA Wemmer 85
Yellow cards: L. Santana 38, JA Wemmer 69, M. Spiteri 73, I. Zammit 90
Red card: JC Gill 82
BoV Player of the Match: Y. Yankam
TMI Top 3: 1. M. Micallef, 2. A. Nilsson, 3. A. Rozzi
Attendance: 298
Qormi's fate was more or less sealed in the 85th minute of yesterday's crucial match against Tarxien Rainbows.
Then it was Dutchman Jens Alex Wemmer who scored for Tarxien to give the Rainbows all the three precious points.
Earlier in the first half, Nilsson had given Tarxien the lead, but Gusman later equalised for Qormi.
The defeat was certainly a big setback for Qormi. With only five matches to go, their only hope now is to catch up with 12th placed St Andrews who are five points above them.
Tarxien sighed with relief as the three points enabled them to join Mosta on the 22 point mark, and in a relatively safe position.
Both teams were in search of 'life-saving' points, especially Qormi who started the match on 13 points and in 13th place.
Playing with the strong wind behind their backs, Tarxien dominated the first half, but after taking the lead early, they were kept at bay by Qormi.
Qormi operated on the break, but they rarely, if ever, had an open chance before they eventually scored an equaliser 10 minutes from the end.
On the whole, they did not steal anything, as despite being forced to defend for long stretches, they showed great determination and never appeared to have thrown in the towel after suffering that early setback.
In the second half, Tarxien appeared to be more defensive minded thus allowing the Yellow Blacks to take the initiative. In fact, Qormi were more aggressive as it was their turn now to push forward because of the strong wind in their favour.
Rainbows goalie Buhagiar was called into action as early as the 3rd minute to save a Mano Micallef freekick.
The Rainbows insisted on attack and they managed to open the scoring on 11 minutes when a Nilsson shot was only partially blocked by goalie Azzopardi and the ball - helped by the wind - moved goalwards to finish at the back of the net, possibly with a touch either by a Qormi defender or a Tarxien striker after it had already crossed the line.
Qormi obtained an equaliser in the 35th minute when Gnundokponou won the ball in a challenge with a Tarxien defender, advanced a few steps and passed to Yannick Yankam who hit home a fine volley from the edge of the area.
In the 42nd minute, Qormi were awarded a freekick on the edge of the area, but Rozzi's good effort went over the bar.
Two minutes from the interval whistle, Tarxien squandered a good chance to regain the lead when Nilsson tried to set the unmarked Gabriel Aquilina, but the pass was a little too long and the opportunity was wasted.
In the 50th minute, with Qormi in search of a goal, a Rozzi freekick created a big melee in front of the Tarxien goal, but the ball was eventually cleared to an abortive corner.
In the 59th minute, Qormi had another good chance to take the lead when in a fast counter attack, a Gnundokponou cross was cleared out to the unmarked Tensior Gusman, but the latter's shot was turned to corner by Maverick Buhagiar.
In the 82nd minute, Tarxien ended in 10 men when Juan Cruz Gill was shown a second yellow card and was therefore dismissed.
Soon after, the Rainbows obtained their winner through Jens Alex Wemmer who hit home past Azzopardi to the delight of the Tarxien fans.
Qormi tried to save the match, but their efforts proved futile.