Gzira U Rabat A Two-goal Corbolan leads Gzira into last 16

Gzira U.:

A. Curmi, N. Muscat, Z. Scerri, R. Soares (DP Mambouana 58), A. Cohen, J. Corbolan, C. Gatt Baldacchino, R. Briffa (C. Sammut 75), J. Pereira, T. Veronese, H. Garba (L. Brincat 67). AJ Zammit, I. Micallef (S. Micallef 86), J. Caruana, N. Attard (E. J. Goodman 75), B. Micallef, L. Vella (I. Abela 69), D. Falzon, K. Muscat, J. Scholey, M. Xerri, Z. Tanti. M. Spiteri. A. Camilleri, P. Apap. F. Zammit. J. Corbolan 37, 66, A. Cohen 79, Z. Scerri 83, B. Micallef 29, M. Xerri 78

Rabat A.: Referee: Asst refs: 4th official: Scorers: Yellow cards:

Henry Brincat

Gzira United advanced to the Last 16 of the competition when they yesterday overcame second division side Rabat’s challenge to the tune of 4-0.

As the result suggests, it was an easy win for the Maroons despite the fact that it took them a whole 37 minutes to score their opening goal through Juan Carlos Corbolan. The same player made it 2-0 early in the second half, veteran midfielder Andrew Cohen scored the third and Zachary Scerri notched the fourth and final goal which sealed the issue.

The Premier League leaders had to do without their star striker Amadou Samb, ruled out through a long term injury. They also had goalie Anthony Curmi taking the place of Justin Haber who was on the substitutes bench.

Gzira enjoyed the lion’s share of the exchanges but second division Rabat were very well organised at the back and the Maroons had to be content with just a one goal lead at the interval.

In fact, despite their overall superiority, the Maroons simply failed to find gaps in the Ajax defence and the latter’s goalie Andrew Zammit was never really tested apart from the action that led to the only goal that he suffered.

Rabat were forced to defend for most of the time and they did quite well in holding the Maroons force to just a single goal lead by the end of the first 45 minutes.

But in the 2nd half, Gzira finally turned their su- periority into goals as they added three more to their tally for a convincing victory.

The first action arrived on the 26th minute when following a cross by Andrew Cohen, it was Zachary Scerri who headed wide.

Six minutes later, it was Nikolai Muscat who tried his luck from outside the area, but the ball went over the bar.

Gzira finally opened the scoring on 37 minutes when after a neatly executed move, Haruna Garba set Juan Corbolan in the Rabat area, and the latter made no mistake from five metres.

In Rabat’s first attack in the 39th minute, it had to be Clifford Gatt Baldacchino to clear in extremis before Jean Scholey could inflict any damage.

Soon after the start of the second half, Zachary Scerri had a shot hitting the side rigging.

On 54 minutes, Nikolai Muscat tested goalie Zammit seriously, but the Rabat goalie was equal to the task.

Gzira added a second goal on 66 minutes when Corbolan received a good pass from Cohen, advanced into the area and hit a low shot past Zammit.

Gzira ascertained themselves of their win (if there was ever any doubt) when Cohen scored the third with an excellent freekick which left goalie Zammit staring.

The Maroons were now in full throttle and on 83 minutes, it was Zachary Scerri who added a fourth after a Rabat defender’s clearance hit the upright.