Futsal: Great comeback enables Luxol to maintain unbeaten record

futsal2014tgnvtrvvyfdA great second half comeback earned Luxol a precious point in the FXDD Premier Division clash against Balzan, therefore helping them keep both the second place in the table and the unbeaten record in the league.

It was a match that was heading into Balzan’s favour after going 5-1 ahead but Luxol fought back and got the draw to stay one point ahead of their opponents in the table.

Photo: Copyright © Joe Borg

Balzan took the lead through a great goal by Romanian international Emil Raducu who received a pass by Dobre and after stopping the ball with a first timer, put the ball past Adrian Attard. Luxol reacted immediately and restored parity through Ibrahim Tarik after stealing a ball from a Balzan player.

The match proved to be intensive and one minute later, Balzan scored their second goal thanks to Emil Raducu who concluded a solo effort with a fierce shot which beat the Luxol goalkeeper.

In the second half, Balzan opened well and found the net again through player-coach Gabriel Dobre who put the ball into the net off the rebound, after an Emil Raducu shot. In the space of thirty-seconds Dobre and Raducu scored two goals to make it 5-1 with Luxol’s rearguard completely shattered.

Luxol reduced the arrears in the space of 45 seconds through William Barbosa and George Frendo to give some fresh hopes for their side. Six minuted and forty-nine seconds from the end, Luxol scored again when former Qormi player George Frendo dribbled Matthew Xerxen to deposit home and make it 5-4.

Luxol were now pushing forward and it was no surprise that they restored parity through Florin Anton.

Meanwhile, Qormi bagged the three important points to install themselves among the top eight of the after a hard-fought 3-2 win against fourth-placed Pembroke. It was an entertaining match full of thrilling occasions from both sides.

It was an entertaining match full of thrilling occasions from both sides. Karl Azzopardi put Pembroke ahead but Qormi replied with two goals by Allen Medati and Mark Camilleri to make it 2-1. Karl Azzopardi scored again for Pembroke to restore equilibrium but one minute from the end, Qormi scored what proved to be the winning goal through Allen Medati.

Zurrieq and Melita shared the spoils in an entertaining 4-4 draw.

It was a match that left all those present at the Corradino Pavillion on tenterhooks with Melita’s goalkeeper Ivan Cassar performing some fine saves. Tyron Borg proved to be Zurrieq’s hero after netting a hat-trick with Spanish Robin Alonso scoring the other goal.
Rudi and Michael Martin scored a brace each for Melita.

In another match, Vittoriosa Stars defeated Luqa St. Andrew’s 3-1 to obtain their third win of the season.