Avila Perez lifts Gzira out of danger zone

Football - BOV Premier League

the first half yesterday and most of the initiative belonged to Gzira. A steady stream of chances began around the quarter hour for the Maroons but they also lacked penetration in attack.

The second half was more evenly balanced but when Tarxien had Alex Alves sent off 12 minutes before the end, Gzira capitalised, scoring a late winner that they richly deserved.

The Maroons had Antonio Macheda Neto suspended while forward Ige Adeshina was named among the substitutes. Louis Zome played in an attacking central role with Gianmarco Conti in support. Souleyman Diamoutene was back in defence for Darren Abdilla’s side.

Tarxien coach Jesmond Zerafa was also forced to make some changes. Ayrton Azzopardi and Sasha Borg were given starts, with Matthew Tabone suspended and Sergio Prendes starting on the bench.

Tarxien sought to make a fast start but Gzira would not allow them any comfort on the ball. The Maroons, in fact, were the first to threaten past the quarter hour. Tarxien keeper Cassar had to rush off his line to block at the feet of Corbolan, who had made progress inside the area after playing one-two with Conti.

Soon after, Corbolan dispossessed Sasha Borg from the right and sent a low cross inside the area but Zouma was late to connect.

Midway through the half, on a Cohen free kick from the left, Diamoutene headed slightly over the bar.

At this juncture, Gzira looked well in control. Tarxien struggled in their build-ups, with their midfielders Marcelina, Ayrton Azzopardi and Triston Caruana kept well under check. The unmarked Azzopardi headed feebly an Avila Perez cross towards the half hour and another Gzira chance went to waste.

Tarxien showed up on 35 minutes when Ponce found space down the right and crossed for Nilsson to head over. Frustration was creeping in for Tarxien as they failed to breach the Gzira defence by halftime.

And when Tarxien looked unable to get going even in the second period, coach Zerafa knew something had to change. Past the hour, in went Sergio Prendes and Julian Galea for Caruana and Azzopardi.

Gzira countered with Carlos Reyna’s introduction instead of Zome.

Conti failed to connect well to Jacob Borg’s cross from the right. On the other end, a Galea incursion inside the Gzira area was halted by Gatt Baldacchino.

Tarxien were down to ten men for the last ten minutes when their wide player Alex Alves was dismissed for a second caution.

Gzira immediately tried to exploit their numerical superiority. And after a deep Cohen free kick from the left clipped the post’s junction, Gzira made the breakthrough with seven minutes remaining.

From a Cohen corner, the Tarxien defence took some time to clear and the ball fell invitingly to Moises Avila Perez to knock it over the line.

■ Moises Avila Perez scored a goal of invaluable importance for Gzira United yesterday, against ten-man Tarxien Rainbows, to give his side three precious points in their fight for survival. This was Gzira’s second victory on the trot as Tarxien...