The Malta Independent on Sunday
Spartans and Maroons settle for a point after spectacular first half
Hamrun Spartans and Gzira United left the field happy with the point earned after producing an exciting 90 minutes of good football.
The first half was spectacular to say the least with the four goals scored and some other near misses.
The second half was less intense with the Spartans enjoying the lions share of the exchanges and going several times close to score the winner.
In fact the result leaves the Spartans a bit disappointed as they deserved something more especially after the second half showing.
The Maroons faded out in the second part of the match and appeared struggling when kept under pressure.
Usaga Mendoza and davis were sorely felt by Gzira outfit, who also had striker Amadou samb not in best condition and was in fact left on the substitute’s bench.
The Spartans can also lament Barbosa’s injury who limped off with a back injury after only fourteen minutes play.
However his substitute Sasere made amends for this, scoring hamrun’s first goal and being instrumental even in the second goal.
After just 60 seconds from the start Hamrun had their first opportunity when Joseph Mbong hit well from the edge of the area with the ball just missing the cross bar.
On the other end Gzira’s first attempt came from a Nikolai Muscat freekick that was well saved by goalkeeper Debono.
A minute later a Correa scorcgher was blocked by Serrano Valero.
On ten minutes Gzira took the lead when Kooh Sohna passed to the surging Correa Duarte who managed to beat debono from an acute angle.
Two minutes later again Correa on target but this time Debono blocked in style.
On 31 minutes Hamrun Spartans drew level. Soares, one of the best for the Spartans, floated a perfect cross for Sasere who tapped in beautifully in the top corner.
Hamrun’s joy was shortlived as four minutes later a Kone freekick found the Hamrun defence napping and Kooh Sohna nipped in to score an easy goal.
Four minutes from the break the Spartans again drew level. Sopares again crossed from the left, with Sasere doing the body feint for Djordjevic to hammer home a beauty.
On the resumption Gzira appeared a tired lot and the Spartans surged forward even missing a couple of glaring scoring opportunities through Djordejvic and Sasere, who saw his shot late in the game jhust missed the base of the upright by inches.