Qormi edge closer to survival

Qormi 2
Effiong 53; Farrugia 78 pen.
Msida St Joseph 1
Calcado 28

Seemingly down and out after losing two Relegation Pool matches, Qormi are now one point away from safeguarding their top-flight status after coming from a goal down to beat Msida St Joseph 2-1 yesterday.

Qormi's strong comeback mirrored the collective resolve of their players to fight adversity and prove critics wrong as Jesmond Zerafa's men stormed into Msida after the change of ends to turn the tide in their favour after Pedro Calcado had put the Saints ahead.

This was another typical relegation scrap but Qormi deserved victory because they were the brighter team in the attacking phase. Their defending was shambolic at times but Msida again lacked the flair to punish Qormi who are now top of the Relegation Pool with 17 points.

Msida had the ball in the net as early as the eighth minute when Calcado curled a free-kick past Matthew Farrugia but referee Alan Mario Sant had blown his whistle for a foul by Andre Rocha Da Silva on one of the players in Qormi's human barrier.

Reprieved, Qormi immediately went on the offensive. They would have broken the deadlock but for two timely clearances by Msida defenders on shots by Josivan Da Silva and Massimo Grima.

Msida goalkeeper Matthew Camilleri then came to his side's rescue with a flying save to touch away another Grima thunderbolt as Qormi persisted with their adventurous approach.

Zerafa opted for a two-pronged attack of Alfred Effiong and Joseph Chetcuti as Da Silva was assigned roaming duties behind the two strikers.

Msida coach Joe Abdilla elected to change his starting XI despite his team's 2-0 win over Ħamrun Spartans. Calcado and defender Kenneth Spiteri were restored to the formation at the expense of Marco Aurellio and Stacey Vella.

Msida were encountering problems to get out of their own half and it took a dipping cross from Dino Cachia from inside his own half to carve an opening for his side. His long ball dropped into the path of Mark Camilleri who skewed his effort over the bar.

The game continued to ebb and flow. Stefano Grima's underhit backpass created anxiety among the Msida players as Effiong threatened to capitalise but out came Camilleri to dispossess Qormi's Nigerian forward.

Abdilla's decision to recall Calcado bore fruit on 28 minutes when the Brazilian put Msida ahead with a trademark free-kick that left Qormi goalkeeper Farrugia rooted to his spot.

Qormi defender Ramon Dos Santos was lucky to escape punishment after he looked to have raised his elbow into the face of Adrian Farrugia in a tussle for possession. Calcado responded with an abrasive challenge on his fellow countryman but even his intervention went unheeded.

Qormi served notice of their intent to attack when, inside the opening minute of the second half, Grima's long pass released Da Silva but the latter's strike was deflected away for a corner.

Shortly afterwards, Qormi appealed for a penalty when Keith Fenech fell under the weight of Tyrone Farrugia's challenge but the referee was unimpressed.

Qormi's pressure yielded an equaliser eight minutes into the second half. Chetcuti flated a perfect ball towards Effiong who outjumped his marker and headed home.

Danger loomed for Qormi when Msida were awarded another free-kick in a menacing position but this time, Calcado's effort grazed the foot of the post.

Fastening on to a long pass from midfield, Aurellio outpaced the Qormi defenders and lobbed the ball over Farrugia but Dos Santos dashed back to avert danger.

With 12 minutes left, Qormi's Grima forced his way into the box after feigning to shoot but his progression was halted by Vella, who had just replaced Spiteri. Sant pointed to the spot and Farrugia despatched his shot past Camilleri.

The Qormi fans suddenly found their voice but they went quiet for a few seconds as Msida came close to restoring equilibrium.

Farrugia failed to discern the danger in Magro's scrambled effort but the shot came off the post before the erstwhile motionless Qormi goalkeeper moved to palm the ball away.

Playing today (National Stadium): 19.30 Sliema Wanderers vs Valletta.

Qormi
M. Farrugia-5.5, R. Dos Santos-6.5, M. Grima-6.5, J. Chetcuti-6.5 ('90 S. Tellus), K. Fenech-5.5, A. Effiong-6, J. Farrugia-7, R. Sammut-5.5, M. Borg-6, I. Da Silva-5.5 ('67 S. Wellman-5.5), P. Camilleri-5 ('64 A. Ciantar-5.5).

Msida St Joseph
M. Camilleri-6.5, S. Grima-5.5, D. Cachia-6.5, K. Spiteri-5.5 ('74 S. Vella), T. Farrugia-6.5, A. Da Silva-5, K. Mifsud-5.5 ('58 M. Aurellio-5), A. Farrugia-5, M. Camilleri-4, P. Calcado-6, K. Magro-5.5.

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.

Yellow cards: Magro; Dos Santos; A. Farrugia; Chetcuti; Spiteri.

BoV player of the match: Joseph Farrugia (Qormi).