Mosta-Naxxar 4-0
Mosta; O. Borg, T. Farrugia, M. Brincat, R. Ekani, I. Grech, R. Grech, K. Zammit, M. Micallef, A. Carrozza (A. Cini), Y. Messias (I. Zammit), B. Kaljevic (D. Pereira)
Naxxar L: J. Azzopardi, R. Bakare, V. Bellia, A. Buhagiar (J. Debono), R. Cassar (D. Falzon), G. Ribeiro, A. Decesare, T. Lopes, D. Reano, A. Rocha Da Silva (F. Stojanovic), T. Scerri
Referee: A. Arciola
Assst refs: R. Vella, P. Abela
Additional asst.refs: M. Borg, M. Spiteri
4th official: A. Borg Cardona
Scorers: B. Kaljevic 42 pen, 46, D. Pereira 70, 83
Yellow cards: V. Bellia, R. Bakare, R. Grech, J. Azzopardi, T. Scerri, B. Kaljevic, D. Pereira, G. Ribeiro, A. Decesare, A. Buhagiar, E. Rodriguez
Red card: G. Ribeiro
Player of the match:B. Kaljevic (Mosta)
TMI top three: 1. M. Micallef 2. B. Kaljevic 3. A. Rocha Da Silva
Naxxar’s fragility at the back and lack of form were highly exposed as they wilted meekly to neighbours Mosta, going down heavily by four goals to nil. Mosta struck with a brace from Bojan Kaljevic, a penalty before halftime and another goal after the restart, as his substitute Diego Pereira inflicted further damage with two more goals late in the second period.
Two defeats in a row and Balzan’s win over Tarxien Rainbows on Saturday, must have put Naxxar Lions under heavy pressure ahead of this derby match against Mosta.
While their opponents were already assured of a place in the Championship Pool, Naxxar’s place was far from secured. This defeart complicates matters further as they now trail Balzan with one point and only one match to play. Naxxar’s next opponents are Hibernians while Balzan will next face Valletta.
Naxxar have now conceded goals in the league this season, a toll that could prove ruinous if they don’t manage to haul themselves with the top six in the second phase.
This was Mosta’s second win against Naxxar this season, as they remain unbeaten since Enrico Piccioni took over as their new coach.
Yesterday Naxxar gave starts to Nigerian defender Raimi Bakare as well as Brazilian midfielder Andre Rocha Da Silva but Mosta were by far the more enterprising side during the first 45 minutes.
There were near misses for Mosta when the energetic Mano Micallef, playing in a quasi sweeping role between defence and midfield, cut towards the middle and shot narrowly wide. Towards the half hour, the Mosta skipper chased a Zammit pass. His shot from a distance went over.
Kaljevic also carried some threat. His tame header on a Messias freekick in the opening minutes did not trouble keeper Azzopardi but the Mosta forward gave a warning of his growing menace past the half hour when he chested a Messias cross and shot on the turn from the edge of the area, only to miss the target by inches.
The Mosta goal was in the air though and that came courtesy of a penalty award three minutes before the break after Naxxar’s defender Reano tripped Micallef inside the area as he was late with his tackle. Bojan Kaljevic stepped up to give Mosta a deserved lead.
Omar Borg remained mostly underemployed but the Mosta custodian did save well, turning into a corner Scerri’s shot from the right midway through the half, after the Naxxar forward had advanced on Buhagiar’s forward pass.
Any hopes for Naxxar of making a comeback, evaporated within 40 seconds of the start of the second half. Bojan Kaljevic again took possession on the edge of the Naxxar area, went past Reano and beat keeper Azzopardi with a low strike to double Mosta’s lead.
Naxxar put in another striker, Darren Falzon for Cassar and the substitute was involved in a good move on the hour. His shot was blocked by the Mosta defence, the ball rolled freely to Rocha Da Silva but keeper Borg saved well.
Kaljevic limped off soon after to be replaced by Diego Pereira and the Mosta substitute added two more goals to make it a more emphatic win for his side.
On 70 minutes, on Carrozza’s cross from the left, Reano was again at fault, allowing Pereira to go for the ball and head in from close range.
With seven minutes remaining, other substitute Ian Zammit, loaned from Valletta, had his shot parried by keeper Azzopardi who could not hold the ball and Diego Pereira picked the rebound, went past the grounded keeper and accompanied the ball over the line.
Naxxar’s humiliation was complete two minutes from time when their Brazilian Gilmar Ribeiro was sent off for a second booking.