Naxxar-Qormi 0-1

Naxxar: J. Azzopardi, R. Bakare, V. Bellia, A. Buhagiar, G. Da Silva Ribeiro, A. Decesare, D. Falzon, T. Lopes de Souza, D. Reano, T. Scerri (M. Vignjevic 83’), F. Stojanovic

Qormi: M. Farrugia, D. Pisani, O. Bugeja, A. Effiong, T. Caruana, G. Gianola (R. Bajada 42’), J. Bondin, E. Vella, L. Grech, J. Pereira da Silva, J. Gabriel da Silva (L. Cantoro 83’)

Scorers: A. Effiong 93’ (Q)  

Yellow Cards: G. Da Silva, J. Bondin, T. Caruana, L. Grech 86’ (Q), R. Bakare, G. Da Silva Ribeiro, J. Azzopardi, A. Decesare 87’ (N)

Red Card: G. Da Silva Ribeiro 76’ (N)

Referee: Marco Borg

Assistant Referees: Sammy Attard, Thomas Debono

4th Official: Sandro Spiteri

BOV Player of the Match: Gabriel da Silva (Qormi)

A goal in the dying minutes by Alfred Effiong gave Qormi three precious points in a keenly contested match against Naxxar Lions. 

Although the match was a bit balanced, Qormi were the most attacking side and didn’t steal anything from Naxxar who tried their best but especially after they had to continue the match with 10 men, they couldn’t handle the pressure by Qormi.

Now Qormi have moved to a more secure place - almost sure of avoiding relegation - while Naxxar are in deep trouble now having just one point over Tarxien and two over Vittoriosa with two games to play.

This was the third win of the season for Qormi against Naxxar and their fifth win from the last six matches. On the other hand this was the first defeat for Naxxar after four positive results.

Both coaches made one change with Gilmar returning for Naxxar while Gabriel da Silva also return for Qormi with Quintieri on the bench.

Naxxar threatened the post the first time after four minutes but the shot by Victor Bellia finished wide. Qormi looked more aggressive and on the 7th minute a shot by Gabriel da Silva finished off target. Two minutes later Qormi almost took the lead when Leighton Grech crossed to Jorginho who tried with a header that was denied by the post. Gabriel da Silva tried again on the 13th minute but Azzopardi was ready to turn into a corner.  

Qormi continue to attack and on the 25th minute Jorginho could have done better with a shot until the ball came to Caruana but his shot was saved by Azzopardi.

On the other hand, Naxxar tried on 34th minute when Bellia crossed to the unmarked Terence Scerri but he could have done better as his shot finished well over the bar. The first half ended with another shot by Naxxar, this time after a good personal action by Stojanovic but his shot finished off target. 

Qormi started the second half on the attack and on the 55th minute Effiong could have done better when he opted to shoot but the ball was deflected. Qormi had their best opportunity on the 71st minute when Effiong passed to Grech but, although face to face with Azzopardi, he shot wide.

The turning point of the match came on the 76th minute when Naxxar appealed for a penalty when allegedly Gilmar was fouled in the penalty area but referee Marco Borg chose to give a foul to Qormi and the second yellow card to the Brazilian.

Enjoying numerical advantage, Qormi pushed for the win and on the 88th minute substitute Cantoro laid back to Effiong who tried his first time shot but it finished centimetres over the bar.

Qormi were again dangerous and on the 91st minute from a cross by Jorginho, Julian Azzopardi punched away but although the Naxxar defence tried to clear, the ball fell to Cantoro who first timer rattled the crossbar.

With Qormi attacking, Naxxar almost scored the winning ball a minute later when from a counter attack, Vignjevic passed to Darren Falzon who tried with a low shot but Matthew Farrugia managed to save with one hand.

The match still had something to offer when in the last seconds of the match, Leighton Grech passed to Alfred Effiong who with a good run rounded Julian Azzopardi and scored in an empty net to the joy of the supporters and the Qormi bench.