Rabat A.-Naxxar L. 1-1

Rabat: P. Velimirovic, S. Gauci, Z. Tanti, P. Borg, I. Carapic, J. Caruana, W. Borg, S. Oproiescu, M. Licari, R. Micallef, C. Vella (S. Cortis 92’)  

Naxxar: J. Azzopardi,R. Bakare, D. Bonnici (J. Debono 79’), A. Buhagiar, R.G. Cassar (D. Falzon 46’), A. Decesare, T. Lopes de Sousa, D. Reano, A. Rocha da Silva, T. Scerri, F. Stojanovic (G. Da Silva Ribeiro 46’)   

Scorers: M. Licari 38’ (R), T. Scerri 85’ (N) 

Yellow Cards: Z. Tanti 62’ (R), G. Da Silva Ribeiro 66’ (N)

Red Card: Z. Tanti 83’ (R)

Referee: Alan Mario Sant

Assistant Referees: Mitchell Scerri, Paul Apap 

BOV Player of the Match: Malcolm Licari (Rabat)

Naxxar saved a point on the 85th minute when in a match that lacked exciting moments finished 1-1 against Rabat Ajax. Naxxar’s display was poor especially in the first half but in the last moments, Winston Muscat’s team pushed for the draw and took advantage from the numerical advantage after Zachary Tanti’s sending off. For Rabat this was a good performance that again saw Steve D’Amato’s team close to a win.  

Rabat for another game had a number of players missing namely Carrillo Pendas, David Azzopardi, Jonathan Bajada and Dylan Falzon who were suspended while Daniel Pelaez, Adam Smeir and Aidan Azzopardi ruled out. On the other side Naxxar lacked Victor Bellia and Mattia del Negro. 

Naxxar created the first danger after six minutes when from a corner by Reano, the header from Tiago Lopes de Sousa finished over the bar.

Rabat took the lead on the 38th minute when from a rare attack, a shot from distance by Ryan Micallef was partially blocked by Reano and Tiago Lopes with the ball finishing in front of Malcolm Licari who although unbalanced managed to put the ball past Azzopardi. Naxxar’s reaction came on the 42nd minute when Angus Buhagiar passed to Terence Scerri who controlled the ball and tried to shoot on the second post but the ball finished a bit wide. Rabat almost doubled on the 45th minute when Wayne Borg crossed to Malcolm Licari who tried this time with a diving header but it finished off target. Naxxar were awarded a penalty in the stoppage time when Patrick Borg ‘handed’ the ball after a contrast with Scerri with referee Alan Mario Sant ordering a penalty. But from the penalty spot Pavle Velimirovic saved in two attempts the low shot by Andre Rocha da Silva.

Winston Muscat made two changes in the half time in his quest to turn the result. Naxxar started the half on the attack but failed to create any danger until the 60th minute when Andre Rocha da Silva laid a pass to substitute Gilmar who tried with a first-time shot but finished off target. Eight minutes later Angus Buhagiar crossed to Terence Scerri but the striker’s header finished wide.

Rabat had to finish the match with ten men when on the 83rd minute Zachary Tanti was shown the second yellow card. Naxxar took advantage of the numerical superiority and two minutes later equalised when the Rabat defence failed to clear the danger and Terence Scerri was ready to slot past Velimirovic from close range. Naxxar after this goal pushed for the win and on the 90th minute Angus Buhagiar crossed to Terence Scerri but his header was central and Velimirovic managed to save in time.