Keeping balance... Qormi’s Frank Temile (right) evades a sliding tackle from Naxxar’s Pablo Doffo. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Naxxar Lions 1
Gilmar 90;
Qormi 1
Pisani 48;

Gilmar came to the rescue of Naxxar Lions yesterday as the Brazilian hit a spectacular equaliser with virtually the last kick of the match to earn his team a point against Qormi.

It was a heartbreaking outcome for a Qormi side that had looked odds-on to bag their first win after two successive draws.

After a slow start, the Yellow-Blacks took control of proceedings and once Duncan Pisani put them ahead just after the restart, they created countless chances to kill off their opponents but failed to get a second goal that would have put the game beyond their opponents.

That profligacy in front of goal proved costly for Josef Mansueto’s team as they saw their hopes of victory dashed in the first minute of stoppage time when Gilmar struck a brilliant volley that extended the Lions’ unbeaten run to three matches.

Mansueto effected three changes to the team that shared the spoils with Pietà Hotspurs before the international break.

Bjorn Bondin was handed a starting berth at the expense of Steve Agius, Zoran Levnaic, back from suspension, was preferred to Anderson, who was among the substitutes, and Joseph Chetcuti, who recovered from injury, replaced Ryan Micallef.

For his part, Jesmond Zerafa, the Naxxar coach, was boosted by the availability of Mattia Del Negro, back from injury. Del Negro took his place in midfield at the expense of Victor Bellia who had to settle for a place on the bench.

The match was balanced in the opening stages with Naxxar creating the better chances. On eight minutes, they were awarded a free-kick from a central position and Gilmar’s swerving shot breezed past the upright with Qormi goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia beaten.

Twelve minutes later, Naxxar striker Pape Gueye latched on to a long ball and nodded it into the path of Daren Falzon who saw his stinging drive finish just over.

Scoring chances remained few and far between as both teams looked short of ideas up front.

Five minutes from the break, Naxxar winger Uchenna Emenike embarked on a surging run that took him past two opponents but, instead of serving the unmarked Gilmar, he elected to shoot with his effort finishing high and wide.

Qormi finally threatened a minute from the break when, from a Mauricio Mazzetti free-kick, Frank Temile’s dipping header almost surprised Naxxar goalkeeper Julian Azzopardi who just managed to tip the ball over.

In first-half stoppage time, Alfred Effiong burst into the area and his firm drive was pushed away by Azzopardi.

On the restart, Qormi continued where they left off late in the first half.

They forged ahead three minutes into the second half. Albert Bruce’s through-ball carved the Naxxar defence open and in came Pisani who slotted the ball past Azzopardi.

After this setback, Zerafa withdrew Gueye and Angus Buhagiar and roped in Pablo Doffo and Terence Vella as he looked to revitalise his team.

But it was Qormi who almost doubled their lead on 55 minutes.

Pisani broke clear on the right before sending a dipping cross that was deflected towards the unmarked Temile whose overhead kick finished wide.

Qormi remained on top.

On 57 minutes Chetcuti picked out Mazzetti in the area but his downward header was pushed away by Azzopardi.

The Lions were clearly on the ropes. Just past the hour Pisani again made inroads in the area before serving Effiong whose shot was turned away for a corner by Azzopardi.

Qormi maintained their hold on the proceedings as they looked to add to their advantage with the Lions seemingly unable to pose any danger up front.

As the minutes ticked away, the Lions were desperate for a touch of genius to at least save this match and that arrived in the first minute of stoppage time.

Gilmar picked up a short clearance and unleashed a powerful volley that flew into the net via the upright to the delight of the Naxxar fans and the dismay of the Qormi officials.

Naxxar Lions
J. Azzopardi-6.5, A. Scicluna-5, I. Edet-5.5, M. Del Negro-5.5, P. Gueye-5 (53 P. Doffo-5), D. Falzon-5, Gilmar-6.5, R. Cassar-5 (80 D. Bonnici), A. Buhagiar-5 (53 T. Vella-5), D. Reano-5, U. Emenike-5.

Qormi
M. Farrugia-6, A. Bruce-6.5, B. Bondin-6, M. Mazzetti-6, J. Chetcuti-6 (72 R. Micallef), A. Effiong-5.5, F. Temile-6.5 (88 Anderson), E. Vella-6, Z. Levnaic-6, D. Pisani-7.5 (85 S. Agius), J. Bondin-6.

Referee: Nick Pratt (Wales).

Yellow cards: Reano; Micallef; Effiong; Mazzetti; Doffo.

BOV player of the match: Duncan Pisani (Qormi).