Mqabba fight back to salvage draw
Mqabba 2Dingli Swallows 2 Mqabba tried to emulate the likes of Mosta and Balzan who came from behind to win on Saturday. Despite playing with an extra man for more than 30 minutes, Mqabba couldn’t turn the tables on the improved Dingli who held out for...
Mqabba 2
Dingli Swallows 2
Mqabba tried to emulate the likes of Mosta and Balzan who came from behind to win on Saturday.
Despite playing with an extra man for more than 30 minutes, Mqabba couldn’t turn the tables on the improved Dingli who held out for a point.
Mqabba dictated matters early on but it was Dingli who went in front after 10 minutes. Leontiev Konda dribbled past a posse of defenders before beating Mqabba goalkeeper Kris Calleja with a fierce drive.
Dingli’s opener rattled Mqabba who conceded a second on 20 minutes. Clayton Caruana burst through the offside trap and lobbed the ball over Calleja.
The Reds now had a mountain to climb but, four minutes from the break, Clive Mizzi’s team dragged themselves back into contention when Wilson Caushi scored from an acute angle from the edge of the area.
After the change of ends, Mqabba were a transformed team.
Three minutes into the second half, Pierre Grima tried his luck from just outside the area and his drive was partially saved by Mark Abela. From the rebound, John Paul Muscat’s effort was again saved by the Dingli goalkeeper.
Minutes later, Mauro Bonnici’s half-volley for Mqabba finished wide. On the hour, Dingli suffered a blow when Reuben Vella was sent off for a scathing tackle on Thiago dos Santos Mazitelli.
Buoyed by their numerical advantage, Mqabba now intensified their pressure. They drew level 18 minutes from time. Caushi’s strike was parried away by Abela but Claudio Calleja was on hand to head the rebound home.
Dingli almost regained the lead when Jonathan Sapiano, who had just replaced Caruana, fired against the side-netting.
Deep into stoppage time, Mqabba defender Branislav Timotic was dismissed for a second booking.
Mqabba: K. Calleja, P. Grima, M. Bonnici, A. Scicluna, B. Timotic, M. Briffa, C. Calleja, J.P. Muscat (I. Curmi), W. Caushi, A. Cakigi (T. Mazitelli), S. Magro (J. Shead) .
Dingli: M. Abela, K. Pace (K. Bonavia), R. Sammut, S. Tellus, R. Vella, K. Formosa, J. Chirino (C. Ciappara), L. Konda, E. Farrugia, C. Caruana (J. Sapiano), R. Briffa.
Referee: Glenn Tonna
Man of the match: Shawn Tellus (Dingli).