The Malta Independent on Sunday
Perfect gift goal gives Gzira a win against 9-man Qormi
tained their domination, but Qormi still defended stubbornly making it very difficult for Gzira to penetrate their area.
It was only 11 minutes from time that Gzira managed to break the deadlock and although it was a gift goal, one must admit that they deserved their win.
The first action arrived on the 11th minute – a fine run by Juan Carlos Corbolan which ended with a shot albeit through a precious gift from the Yellow Blacks.
Until that moment, Qormi appeared to be heading for a precious point as their fort never was in danger of collapsing. But that goal certainly There was absolutely nothing to report on during the opening 40 minutes apart from this ac- tion.
It was in the 42nd minute that Gzira tried again when from a Briffa cornerkick, it was Haruna Garba who headed well over the bar.
Moments later, Corbolan again found some space on the edge of the area, but his low shot was easily saved by Azzopardi.
In the 56th minute, Qormi goalie Azzopardi did well to gather the ball confidently from a dangerous Zarate cross. Soon after, it was Rodolfo Soares who went close with a header following a Zarate cross.
At the other end, in Qormi’s first attempt, it was Tensior Gusman who tried his luck from the edge of the area, but the ball went wide.
Gzira continued with their domination and Qormi were stubborn at the back, but in the 70th minute, the game became more uphill for Qormi as they ended up in 10 men following the dismissal of Tensior Gusman.
In the 79th minute, Gzira were gifted their precious lead when Qormi defender Mansi rather foolishly sent his own goalie the other way with a crazy backpass and Haruna Garba had absolutely no difficulty in planting the ball home.
Soon after, Qormi ended up in 9 men as substitute Gesualdi was shown a second yellow card and he was dismissed.
In added time, Gzira almost added another but Brincat’s effort was blocked to a corner.