The Malta Independent on Sunday
Mosta fight back to earn deserved point
Football - BOV Premier League
ond place on 21 points, one behind leaders Valletta who will be in action today against Hibernians. Mosta remained ninth on 11 points.
Mosta had the better start taking the lead early, but Gzira fought back gallantly to earn an equaliser a few minutes before the end of the half.
The two teams appeared to be well balanced, but the two defences were too strong for their opposing forwards and the 1-1 result was fair, even if Gzira contrived to miss a penalty through veteran Cohen whose weak effort was easily saved by goalie Vella.
In the second half, Gzira appeared to be more adventurous and even looked heading for a win after taking the lead from a second penalty. But the Blues had other ideas and eventually managed to secure a deserved point with an equaliser near the end.
Mosta took the lead on the ninth minute when Thomas Veronese crossed over from the left flank; Haber was surprised by a Sem Kamana deflection and the ball ended at the back of the net.
On 18 minutes, Ferreira won a ball off Gzira’s Diamoutene in midfield; he advanced unhindered but his shot sailed harmlessly over the bar.
Gzira replied a minute later with a good Avila Perez grounder which also went wide.
On 20 minutes, Mosta again threatened seriously. It was Ifeanwi Nworah who set Ekani on the right, the latter crossed over where Dexter Xuereb could hit first time only for goalie Justin Haber to block in two attempts.
There was controversy on the 30th minute when Gzira were awarded a penalty after Ekani appeared to have cleared the ball but Okoye finished on the ground in the area. After several protests, from the resultant spot-kick, Cohen’s feeble effort was blocked by goalie Andreas Vella.
Gzira equalised on 35 minutes. It was Briffa who set Cohen on the left; the latter quickly transferred the ball to Moises Avila Perez who first timed a beauty into the net, giving Vella no chance.
Both sides had a good chance at the start of the second half. First it was Mosta who had a low shot from Ifeani Nworah being saved by Haber. At the other end, it was Cohen who had a good shot blocked by a Mosta defender.
In the 52nd minute, after a prolonged Gzira move, a shot by Avila Perez just missed the target with goalie Vella beaten. Soon after, Briffa set Okoye in the Mosta area, but goalie Vella rushed out of his charge to block.
Gzira were awarded a second penalty on 58 minutes. Ekani evidently pushed Cohen when the latter was on the point of shooting at goal. From the spot-kick, it was Tounkara who converted in style to give the Maroons the lead.
Mosta had a good chance to equalise on the 65th minute. It was Ferreira who advanced on the right only to shoot wide from an angle.
Gzira should have scored again on 78 minutes. It was Avila Perez who set Corbolan in the middle of the Mosta area, but he hit weakly when unhindered and Zarate could clear with ease.
In the 87th minute, from a Ferreira cross, it was newcomer Calvin Camilleri who had a shot blocked by Kamana.
Mosta kept fighting and a minute later it was 2-2 as from a Ferreira cross, Tyrone Farrugia, up with his forwards, flicked past Haber into the net.