Qormi 1
Effiong 90;
Naxxar Lions 0

Alfred Effiong was the toast of Qormi yesterday as the Nigerian striker scored a stoppage-time winner to earn his team a priceless victory over Naxxar Lions which edged them closer to Premier League survival.

It was a dramatic outcome to a match which saw both teams giving everything they had in a bid to take the three points.

Qormi enjoyed more possession in the opening half but Naxxar came back strongly after the break to produce a thrilling encounter.

The controversial dismissal of Brazilian striker Gilmar midway through the second half was a massive blow for Naxxar as Qormi made the most of their numerical advantage.

They created a host of chances with Effiong grabbing the all-important breakthrough that lifted Qormi five points clear of the relegation zone with only two games left.

The Yellow-Blacks need only one point from their remaining two matches to keep their place in the top division.

Karel Zeman, the Qormi coach, was boosted by the return of midfield duo Simone Quintieri and Gabriel who missed the 3-1 win over Rabat due to suspension.

Quintieri started on the bench while Gabriel was given the nod to start ahead of Roderick Bajada.

Naxxar had Gilmar back in their starting XI as he replaced Andre Rocha Da Silva who failed to recuperate from a foot injury. Raimi Bakare recovered from a niggling injury to take his customary role in front of defence.

Qormi produced the first scoring opportunity after seven minutes but Gabriel’s shot flew just over the bar.

Two minutes later, in a quick break, Leighton Grech quickly served Jorginho whose firm header hit the upright.

Qormi maintained their lively start and Naxxar goalkeeper Julian Azzopardi had to be alert to turn Gabriel’s low drive away for a corner.

Naxxar were struggling to contain the movement of Gabriel, Jorginho and Effiong.

On 26 minutes, Jorginho flicked the ball to Gabriel but the Qormi midfielder failed to connect with only Azzopardi to beat.

Naxxar finally threatened on 34 minutes. Filip Stojanovic fed Victor Bellia who stormed into the area before threading a cross towards Terence Scerri but his header went over.

Qormi were forced to make their first change three minutes from the break as defender Giorgio Gianola sustained an ankle injury. He was replaced by Bajada.

Zeman’s team continued to carve out the better chances on the restart.

On 55 minutes, Effiong sped past Angus Buhagiar but the Nigerian opted to shoot instead of serving the unmarked Jorginho with the result that his effort was blocked by Naxxar defender Thiago.

At the other end, Gilmar came close from a free-kick but his deflected shot just missed the upright.

The best chance of the half came Qormi’s way on 70 minutes when Effiong released Grech but the speedy winger fired just wide with only Azzopardi to beat.

Fourteen minutes from time, Gilmar powered his way into the area and looked to have been upended by Owen Bugeja but referee Marco Borg drew the ire of the Naxxar clan when he booked Gilmar for simulation.

The Brazilian was dismissed as it was his second yellow card, dealing a blow to Naxxar’s hopes of taking something from this match.

Following Gilmar’s dismissal, coach Winston Muscat withdrew the tiring Scerri and roped in Milan Vignjevic.

Zeman responded by sending on Lucas Cantoro for Gabriel who looked to be struggling with a foot injury.

Three minutes from time, Effiong almost won it for Qormi when the Nigerian was excellently picked by Cantoro but his firm volley flew just over.

There was more drama in stoppage time when Azzopardi pulled off a one-handed save to keep out Jorginho’s free-kick with the ball falling into the path of Cantoro whose rasping volley came off the bar before the Lions cleared.

At the other end, Vignjevic ran clear and quickly released Daren Falzon who was denied by a fine reflex save from Qormi goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia.

But it was Qormi who had the final say when Grech’s through-ball released Effiong who ably turned past Azzopardi before burying the ball into the net to the delight of his team’s fans.

Qormi
M. Farrugia-6, D. Pisani-6.5, O. Bugeja-6, A. Effiong-6.5, T. Caruana-6, G. Gianola-5.5 (42 R. Bajada-6), J. Bondin-6, E. Vella-6, L. Grech-6.5, Jorginho-6, Gabriel-7 (82 L. Cantoro).

Naxxar Lions
J. Azzopardi-6.5, R. Bakare-6.5, V. Bellia-6, A. Buhagiar-6, Gilmar, A. Decesare-6, D. Falzon-6, Thiago-7, D. Reano-6, T. Scerri-5 (82 M. Vignjevic), F. Stojanovic-5.5.

Referee: Marco Borg.

Yellow cards: Bakare; Gabriel; Gilmar; Bondin; Azzopardi; Jorginho; Grech; Decesare.

Red card: Gilmar (NL) 76.

BOV player of the match: Gabriel (Qormi).