Balzan Youths 2

Qormi 0

Balzan produced one of the greatest surprises so far this season when they beat Qormi thanks to two late goals from Brazilian striker Calcado.

Brazilian striker Pedro dos Santos Calcado proved to be their great hero hitting home a fine freekick five minutes from the end and then adding a second deep into added time.

It was the Youths’ second consecutive win after their victory against Hamrun last week.

For Qormi it was a stunning setback as they did not deserve to lose the three points. However, one expected much more from a side which had done so well just a week ago when they conquered Birkirkara convincingly.

The Youths showed once again that they cannot be taken for granted. In fact, this was not the first time they won or saved a match in the final moments.

Qormi took the field without the injured Daniel Nwoke and the suspended Stuart Duff and Luke Sciberras.

The match was controlled by officials from Macedonia. The official showed firm control of the proceedings and left a good impression though the match was played in the best of sporting spirits.

In the first half, Qormi dictated play for long stretches and only allowed their opponents to advance in breakaways, but the Youths rarely got a sight of goal, and when they did, their few conclusions were very poor.

On the other hand, Qormi proved to be more dangerous, mostly through Bello Osagie but they contrived to miss the few chances which they created.

In the second half, Balzan coach Ivan Zammit gambled by introducing Kris Bright, perhaps not 100 per cent fit, and Miguel Ciantar. They managed to share the exchanges with their opponents, but it was Qormi who again contrived to miss a number of chances for which they paid dearly, suffering two late goals which sealed their fate.

Qormi could have taken the lead on five minutes, but Pereira da Silva’s cross in front of goal found no takers.

On the 25th minute, Qormi again threatened when from a Bello Osagie cornerkick, it was Jeffrey Chetcuti who headed just wide.

Two minutes later, it was a Wellman shot from 30 metres that almost deceived Camilleri, but the Balzan keeper turned to corner with his foot.

In the 30th minute, it was Bello Osagie who missed a good chance, hitting wide from an ideal, though a bit angled, position.

Balzan replied on 33 minutes with a Bernardes poor conclusion with Sultana out of position.

As the second half started, it was Balzan goalie Camilleri who denied Joseph Chetcuti blocking the latter’s close range effort.

At the other end, on the 53rd minute, Calcado’s grounder went wide. Soon after, Dylan Grima advanced into the Balzan area, but his effort went wide. And Bello Osagie went close to open the scoring a minute later with a fine shot that skimmed the crossbar.

Qormi’s best chance arrived in the 63rd minute, but it also went begging. This time it was Jorge Pereira who, alone in front of Camilleri, hit wide.

At the other end, on 76 minutes, Calcado’s freekick went over the bar.

But in the 85th minute, the Brazilian fared better as he swerved another freekick brilliantly to beat goalie Sultana.

And it was the same player who sealed their victory near the end with a second goal as he advanced to lob the ball over the onrushing Sultana with the final kick of the match.

Balzan Y.: M. Camilleri, C. Ciantar (B. Bondin), R. Forace, Y. Camilleri, R. Farrugia, B. Guga, N. Tasic, D. Grima, D. Fenech (M. Ciantar), P. dos Santos Calcado, F. L. Bernardes (K. Bright).

Coach: I. Zammit.

Qormi: S. Sultana, Jeff. Chetcuti, R. Sammut, M. Bartolo, Jos. Chetcuti, K. Scicluna, D. Cachia, J. Bondin, J. Pereira da Silva, S. Wellman, A. Bello Osagie (C. Sammut).

Coach: S. Azzopardi.

Referee: F. Mustafi (Macedonia).

Asst refs: D. Kostadinov, A. Giev (Macedonia).

4th official: D. Jakinovski (Macedonia).

Scorers: Calcado 85, 93

Yellow cards: J. Chetcuti, N. Tasic, P. dos Santos Calcado, S. Wellman, R. Sammut,

Player of the match: M. Camilleri (Balzan Y)

TMI Top 3: 1. N. Tasic, 2. S. Wellman, 3. M. Bartolo.

Attendance: 670