FK Ventspils 4
Gzira Utd 0
FK Ventspils: G. Makhnovsky, T. Aiyegun, J. Alcenat, J. Kazacoks (I. Stuglis 79'), A. Mamah, H. Monteiro, G. Mchedlishvili, G. Palavandishvili, M. Sergiychuk (B. Aliev 89'), K. Svarups (P. Osipovs 73'), L. Villela.
Gzira U: J. Haber, A. Cohen, G. Conti, J. Corbolan, F. Barbosa, A. Henrique, J. De Assis, H. Kone, N. Muscat, Z. Scerri (E. Sakyi 80'), R. Soares.
Referee: Dimitar Meckarovski (Macedonia)
Ass.referees: Dejan Nedelkoski, Goce Petreski (Macedonia)
Scorers: K. Svarups 41', H. Monteiro 50', I. Stuglis 84', T. Aiyegun 87'
Yellow cards: J. Corbolan, J. De Assis, G. Mchedishvili, R. Soares, F. Barbosa, N. Muscat, T. Aiyegun
Gzira United suffered a drubbing in Latvia against FK Ventspils, a four-goal defeat that ptactically ends their European dreams. It was a real pity as Gzira played a very good game till suffering the first goal four minutes from the break.
Till this first goal Gzira were in full control, constantly having possession of the ball, but unfortunately never really creating scoring opportunities. After suffering the first goal Gzira never recovered, and unfortunately suffered a second quickly on the resumption.
Ventspils were now in the driving seat and the Maroons were in constant suffering with Haber making some good saves too to keep his opponents at bay. But he could do nothing on the third and fourth goal as Gzira suffered an embarrassing and unexpected defeat.
Surely the great result obtained in Split seven days ago must have had its adverse effect on Giovanni Tedesco's boys, who maybe never expected such an opposition in Latvia yesterday. To be fair Venstpils never set any houses on fire, but their speed, better fitness, and direct play did the trick, and the Maroons were left to lick their wounds.
After barely 20 seconds play Ventspils had a golden opportunity when Tosin Aiyegun gave a good ball to Sergiychuk who shot weekly in Haber's hands from an ideal position.
After this early shock Gzira took full control of the match with the three defenders Barbosa, Soares and Henrique always having the edge over their opponents. Conti had an outstanding first half in midfield and Jefferson practically won all balls in a tight and fierce duel with Mamah.
Gzira had long possession spells with the Latvians never seeing the ball. However Gzira were practically ineffective in attack and never tested the opposing goalkeeper with Hamed Kone never in the thick of the action.
Kone tried his luck from a freekick on 14 minutes but his shot was well off target. On 20 minutes a dangerous cross shot from Mchedishvili was blocked by Haber. The match was mainly played in midfield with the Maroons always in control.
On 29 minutes a Corbolan low drive went wide and minutes later in a good break, Jefferson went through on the right but received a yellow card for simulation as hr tried to get past Mamah. A Villela effort went over the bar and on 41 minutes Venstpils took the lead against the run of play.
Aiyegun had an impressive run on the left flank and crossed towards Svarups who nipped in and fired in the roof of the net from close range. It was a tremendous setback for Gzira who did not deserve this, and things could have got worse three minutes later when Sergiychuk dribbled past two defenders and all alone in front of Haber blasted over the bar.
Five minutes into the second half Ventspils doubled the score, a goal that should have easily been avoided. A freekick from the right was missed by all and Monteiro on the far post was in the right place to head home from close range.
The Maroons were now in great difficulty and had a lucky escape on 55 minutes when a Kazacoks shot hit the upright with Haber completely beaten. On the hour another good move from Ventspils with Phalavandishvili's grounder well saved by Haber.
Two minutes later Nikolai Muscat tested Machnovskiy and on the other end Haber came to his side's rescue with a great save off the menacing Sergiychuk. Gzira's first real danger came on 70 minutes in a fast break with Kone's effort well saved by the Venstpils custodian.
Aiyegun was proving to be too dangerous for the Gzira defence and Haber was again outstanding on 75 minutes. A couple of minutes later Jefferson failed to control in front of goal to miss a glorious opportunity. Jefferson tried to amends a minute later but his grounder was again saved by Mackhnovsky.
Six minutes from time Gzira's misery was complete when substitute Stuglis headed home the third goal from a Mchedishvili cross from the left. There was more to come as three minutes later Venstpils scored a fourth goal when Sergiychuk beat the offside trap and passed towards Aiyegun who easily slotted home.