Qormi sink Naxxar with late goal

Qormi moved a step closer to securing their place in the Premier League next season after they defeated Naxxar Lions 1-0.

Qormi just need one point from their remaining matches to securing their Premier League status. Photo by Ray Attard
Qormi just need one point from their remaining matches to securing their Premier League status. Photo by Ray Attard

Qormi just need one point to secure their Premier League status from their remaining matches.

Qormi took control of the match from the start.

Qormi’s Jorge Pereira came close to giving his team the lead on the 10th minute. Off a cross by Leighton Grech, Jorge Pereira’s header hit the woodwork.

On the 27th minute, Qormi again came close to scoring when Jorge Pereira served Joao Gabriel da Silva, but the Qormi midfielder failed to connect with only goalkeeper Julian Azzopardi to beat.

The match turned for the worse for Naxxar on the 77th minute when Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro received his second yellow card and was sent off.

Qormi came very close to scoring on the 89th minute when Lucas Cantoro had his shot hit the crossbar.

Qormi’s finally scored the winner on the 90th minute. Leighton Grech served Alfred Effiong inside the area and the latter dribbled past goalkeeper Julian Azzopardi before slotting the ball in goal to the joy of the Qormi supporters.

NAXXAR LIONS Julian Azzopardi, Raimi Bakare, Victor Bellia, Angus Buhagiar, Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro, Andrew Decesare, Daren Falzon, Thiago Lopes de Souza, David Alejandro Reano, Terence Scerri (83’ Milan Vignjevic), Filip Stojanovic.
Subs not used: Luke Pecorella, Duane Bonnici, Ryan Gilmour Cassar, John Debono, Jurgen Debono, Kurt Drago.
Coach: Winston Muscat

QORMI Matthew Farrugia, Duncan Pisani, Owen Bugeja, Alfred Effiong, Triston Caruana, Giorgio Gianola (42’ Roderick Bajada), Jonathan Bondin, Emerson Vella, Leighton Grech, Jorge Pereira da Silva, Joao Gabriel da Silva (83’ Lucas Cantoro).
Subs not used: Steve Sultana, Dylan Pirotta, Roderick Sammut, Raffaele Simone Quinteri, Paolo Dandolo.
Coach: Karel Zeman

Referee: Marco Borg
Assistant Referees: Sammy Attard, Thomas Debono
Fourth Official: Sandro Spiteri
Yellow Cards: R. Bakere, Gabriel, Gilmar, J. Bondin, J. Azzopardi, T. Caruana, L. Grech, A. Decesare
Red Cards: 76’ Gilmar Da Silva Ribeiro
Scorers: 90′ Alfred Effiong
BOV Player of the Match: Joao Gabriel da Silva