FK VENTSPILS
Referee:
Ass. Referees: Scorers: Yellow cards:
M. Serhiichuk Chris Cassar Gzira United needed a miracle to go through to the third round of the Europa League after the first leg heavy defeat. In the end they needed a stoppage time goal to take a consolation but more than deserved draw.
Starting with a four-goal deficit Gzira attacked for most of the match and even took an early lead, but they failed to add to their tally, especially in the first half where they fully deserved to score more goals.
In the second half Gzira tired out and eased the pressure, and Ventspils scored two great goals to take an undeserved lead. When all seemed lost the Maroons still had the power to fight till the bitter end obtaining at least, a deserved equaliser.
Gzira played a very good game with Jefferson scoring a brace. Cohen gave his best showing he is still a very valid player, with Conti also commanding in midfield. The Maroons had to expose themselves to Ventspils’ runs, but in the end had to surrender to two breathe taking goals that gave Haber no chance.
The Maroons had nothing to lose from this match after the heavy defeat suffered in Latvia. From the initial whistle they stormed forward putting Ventspils under constant pressure. Coach Giovanni Tedesco made one change from the first leg match, opting for a more offensive solution with the introduction of Amadou Samb for Zachary Scerri.
On six minutes Nikolai had the first attempt from the edge of the K. Makhnovskyy
S. Alcenat
P. Osipov (L. Vilella 55’) J. Kazacoks
E. Tidenbergs (M. Serhiichuk 69’) A. Alfa (G. Palavandishvili 43’) A. Tosin
G. Mchedlishvili
K. Svarups
A. Mamah
H. Batista
Thorvaldur Arnason (Iceland)
Johann Gunnar Gudmundsson, Birkir Sigurdarson Jefferson 15’, 93’,J. Kazacoks 72’, M. Serhiichuk 79’ G. Mchedlishvili, A. Samb, P. Osipov, J. Kazacoks, area but his shot missed the target. On 15 minutes Gzira forged ahead when a Kone cross was fumbled by the Venstpils defenders and Jefferson was on hand to shoot low past the goalkeeper.
Gzira continued to attack and inevitably exposed themselves to Ventspils’ fast breaks. On 23 minutes the Maroons had a lucky escape when Kazacoks hit the base of the upright after a melee in front of Haber.
But Gzira continued to attack relentlessly and a Kone shot on the turn was well saved by Makhnovsky. Gzira had several other near misses with heavy traffic in the Ventspils’ penalty area. On 40 minutes Conti had a good opportunity but his low missed the base of the upright by a whisker.
Just before the break Gzira were rather unlucky when Amadou Samb managed to squeeze the ball past the goalkeeper, but Alcanet managed to clear the ball off the goal line.
On the resumption Gzira continued to attack with Jefferson hesitating in front of goal after an inviting pass from Cohen. On 59 minutes a Kone drive just missed the target. Gzira continued to hold the upper hand but their pressure eased as they slowly tired out.
On 72 minutes the Maroons residual hopes were dealt a deadly blow when Vebtspils drew level. It was a majestic freekick taken by captain Jevgenijs Kazacoks with Justin Haber unable to stop the ball that finished in the top corner for a great goal indeed.
Unfortunately it was not over for Gzira as seven minutes Ventspils forged ahead against the run of play with yet another great goal scored by substitute Mykhailo Serhiichuk who scored a beauty with a shot on the turn from the edge of the area.
Two minutes later Barbosa headed home from close range, but the Gzira central defender was ruled offside and the goal was disallowed.
But Gzira were not to be denied and obtained a well deserved draw deep in stoppage time when a Soares header hit the crossbar and from the rebound Jefferson was on hand to put at the back of the net.