Qormi-Rabat 0-0

Qormi: M. Farrugia, A. Effiong, R. Sammut, G. Belluci, R. Bajada (L. Del Giudice 82’), C. Terribile (L. Grech 50’), T. Caruana, G. Nucera (D. Pisani 68’), O. Bugeja, J. Bondin, R. Innocenti

Rabat: J. Azzopardi, S. Gauci, D. Azzopardi, I. Carapic, D. Falzon, C. Gauci, J. Bajada (M. Licari 74’), D. Pelaez Bellido, M. Avila Perez, D. Carillo Pendas, A. Smeir (Z. Tanti 93’)

Yellow Cards: Clifford Gauci 58min (R), Jonathan Bondin 69min (Q), David Azzopardi 72min (R), Shaun Gauci 77min (R), Leighton Grech 88min (Q)

Red Card: Shaun Gauci 92min (R)

Referee: Marco Borg

Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Mitchell Scerri

BOV Man of the Match: Diego Carillo Pendas (R)

In an encounter from the lower part of the table, Qormi and Rabat Ajax took a point each when they finished in a goaless draw. It was a boring encounter with both teams having most of the play in the midfield except last few minutes with both teams trying their best to secure full points.

Qormi join Tarxien Rainbows, Balzan and Vittoriosa Stars with eight points while Rabat Ajax are still last with four points, two behind Floriana.

Gianluca Nucera returned for Qormi after missing the last game. He replaced Leighton Grech who came on later in the match. On the other hand Rabat had also one change from last week’s defeat against Valletta with goalkeeper Jonathan Azzopardi replacing Velimirovic.

Rabat had their first attempt on goal after five minutes when a shot from Moises Avila Perez was easily saved by Farrugia. Qormi replied two minutes later with a shot from Alfred Effiong that failed to target Azzopardi’s post.

Qormi had a good chance to open the score on the 14th minute when Rodreick Bajada passed to Nucera who tried his luck with a left foot swerving shot that finished inches wide. Rabat had the best chance till then when on the 31st minute Carillo Pendas made a good run from the right flank and passed to Avila Peres but instead of tapping in, turned and finished with a poor shot.

Qormi had their best chance at that time a minute later when a bad decision by Azzopardi left the goal post empty but Innocenti failed to capitalise with a shot off target. Three minutes later Triston Caruana had a shot that finished off the bar.

The second half was still on the same key as the first one with both teams rarely having attempts on goal. In fact we had to wait till the 67th minute to have an attempt on target with a shot from Avila Perez that was turned into a corner by Farrugia. Rabat had another attempt five minutes later when a cross-shot by Bajada caught off guard Farrugia but the Qormi shot stopper managed to save in extremis. 

On the 80th minute from a free-kick, Carillo Pendas crossed to Adam Smeir who tried to score from an angled position but Farrugia made a reflex save to deny Smeir. Qormi had the best opportunity of the game on the 82nd minute when Alfred Effiong recieved a good ball but as he was going to lob Azzopardi came and blocked. 

Rabat had the best chance on the 83rd minute when Licari headed to Adam Smeir but with another header he incredibily headed off target from five metres. Three minutes later Qormi had a dangerous action when Innocenti passed to Leighton Grech but his lob finished over the bar. 

Rabat finished the game with ten men when on the 92nd minute Shaun Gauci was sent-off for a direct red card but Rabat kept defending the final minutes to take a precious point.