Gzira United returned to winning ways defeating Balzan with a goal in each half, to put a strong hold on the third place in the standings and a place in European football next season.
This was almost a decisive match between two teams in search of the remaining avail‐ able spot for European football.
With Birkirkara already sure of second place this match was a sort of decider between these two sides.
The Maroons gained the valuable points after a series of de‐ feats have hindered their otherwise positive season.
The win now puts them in the driving seat and they only have to beat struggling Zebbug Rangers in their last match to make sure of third place.
Hibernians, Balzan, and Mosta are all in fourth place on 42 points and will be hoping for a Gzira slip in the last 90 min‐ utes.
Otherwise a fourth place might still mean a slot in the Conference League next season, especially if Birkirkara or the same Gzira United manage to lift the Trophy at the end of this month.
Gzira deserved the points at stake even though Balzan, who were fresh from a very impor‐ tant victory against Mosta, gave their all and now will play all their chances in a rather tricky match against Birkirkara in the last match.
The first danger came from Balzan who were very unlucky on 14 minutes when an Angel Torres freekick smashed against the crossbar.
On 23 minutes Balzan were again menacing with Gzira goalkeeper Zarkov making two very good saves, first on a Paul Fenech dipper from the edge of the area and then blocking Nogureira cross from the re‐ bound.
Almost against the run of play Gzira took the lead, and it was a very soft goal when Jeffer‐ son’s harmles looking shot was fumbled by goalkeeper Debono with the ball rolling slowly over the goal line.
This goal surely shifted the balance of the match as Balzan never really recovered.
Five minutes into the second half Gzira doubled the score when Riascos passed towards De Assis who failed to connect, but on the far post Toni Kolega managed to hit home from an acute angle.
On 72 minutes Angel Torres had a good effort well saved by Zarkov and on the other end five minutes later, Debono made a great save off a De Assis close range header.
Photo Domenic Aquilina
