Mosta 1
Kaljevic 29;
Balzan 0

In a Mosta team brimming with attacking talent, Bojan Kaljevic remains their most potent weapon.

The towering forward maintained his bright start to the season yesterday after scoring the winner that extended Mosta’s unbeaten run to five consecutive matches.

Given that Mosta and Balzan were undefeated going into their first-round meeting, there were high hopes that the match would unfold into an exciting encounter but this was not forthcoming.

A low-key first half was only lit up by Kaljevic’s attacking prowess as the Montenegrin’s ability to flit into dangerous positions and outmuscle opponents tormented Balzan.

Mosta were deserved winners but they would have paid a high price for their profligacy but for a series of smart interventions from their debutant Mexican goalkeeper Marcos Bernal, including a penalty save, to keep them in front as Balzan threatened to force an equaliser.

Piccioni’s decision to bring Bernal, who was deputising for the injured Omar Borg, and Cameroonian right-back Rodriguez Ekani into the team meant that Brazilian playmaker Pedrinho had to make do with a place on the bench.

Kaljevic played at the apex of Mosta’s 4-2-3-1 formation with Brazilian Daniel Mariano Bueno providing support from an advanced midfield position.

There ought to have been two Piccionis involved in this game but Gianmarco Piccioni, the son of the Mosta coach, was forced to skip the first clash against his former team due to suspension. The Italian was replaced by Ryan Darmanin who took up the central striker’s role.

Six minutes into the game, Mosta appealed for a penalty as Kaljevic ended on the turf after being challenged by the on-rushing Balzan goalkeeper Steve Sultana but Philip Farrugia was unmoved.

Balzan nearly opened the scoring in their first serious attack as Oscar Guerrero was first to Edison Bilbao Zarate’s cross but his half-volley was deflected away for a corner.

Kaljevic was causing problems to the Balzan defenders with his constant movement. He got on the end of Bueno’s cross but his header was saved by Sultana.

But, on 29 minutes, Kaljevic was not to be denied. Bueno was the provider as his intelligent pass released the Mosta forward who sidestepped Elkin Valero Serrano and flicked the ball past Sultana.

Ryan Grech then headed just wide from Mano Micallef’s corner.

The erstwhile subdued Balzan threatened an equaliser when Lydon Micallef passed to Darmanin who skewed his shot wide.

Farrugia incurred the wrath of the Mosta fans on the stroke of half-time as he turned down their claims for a penalty after Justin Grioli looked to have barged into Kaljevic.

There were more protests from Mosta when Farrugia opted to caution Serrano for shoving the goalbound Kaljevic early in the second half after the latter appeared to push Clive Brincat as he burst through.

Kaljevic went for power as he took the ensuing free-kick but his thunderbolt rattled the crossbar.

When Kaljevic beat the offside and raced through impeded, a second goal looked inevitable but the towering forward’s shot was wide.

The game opened up.

Balzan were awarded a penalty after Adrian Borg blocked Grioli’s shot with his hands but Guerrero’s spotkick was saved by Bernal.

Mosta were quick to get the ball to the other end but Bueno rifled wide from inside the box.

With Balzan looking stunned after their penalty miss, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, now operating as striker after Darmanin’s withdrawal, almost gave them a much-needed boost but his free-kick flew just over.

Balzan stepped up their efforts late on.

Bezzina was close with a half-volley that whistled past the far post while Serrano was denied by Bernal.

Mosta
M. Bernal-7.5, T. Farrugia-6, M. Micallef-6.5, R. Ekani-7.5, A, Borg-5.5, D. Falzon-6 (73 M. Brincat), R. Grech-6 (70 K. Pulo-6), N. Milovanovic-6.5, K. Magro-6.5, D. Bueno-6, B. Kaljevic-8 (81 Pedrinho).

Balzan
S. Sultana-5, J. Grioli-6.5, S. Bezzina-6.5, E. Valero Serrano-6, E. Zarate-6, I. Goubadia-5, C. Brincat-5.5, L. Micallef-5.5 (87 S. Arab), O. Guerrero-5, J.P. Mifsud Triganza-5.5 (83 J. Corbalan), R. Darmanin-5 (61 L. Sciberras-6.5).

Referee: Philip Farrugia.

Missed penalty: Guerrero (B) 63.

Yellow cards: Brincat; Serrano; Borg.

BOV player of the match: Bojan Kaljevic (Mosta).

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