Naxxar Lions rescued a point as a goal deep into stoppage time enabled them to earn a point in a 1-1 draw with Qormi.
Qormi held the initiative throughout the ninety minutes but failed to extend their one-goal lead after breaking the deadlock early in the second half. However thanks to this draw, Josef Mansueto’s side still extend their positive run to six matches – three wins and three draws. Naxxar, on the other hand, are still second from bottom.
Naxxar had the first attempt at goal with a long-distance freekick by Gilmar which scraped past the post on the 9th minute. Qormi replied with a fine move by Temile who rounded a defender before launching a cross for Joseph Chetcuti whose header was neutralised by Julian Azzopardi on the 14th. One minute from half-time, off a freekick by Mazzetti, Temile’s header was tipped into a corner by the Naxxar goalkeeper. In added time, Azzopardi performed a good save on an Alfred Effiong effort.
Qormi took the lead on 48 minutes when Albert Bruce sent Duncan Pisani through and the latter slid the ball under the goalkeeper.
Seven minutes later, an acrobatic shot by Temile, off a cross by Pisani went just over the bar. On the 62nd, following another cross by Pisani, Temile had a low shot turned into a corner by the Naxxar goalkeeper.
Qormi seemed heading for victory but Naxxar had other thoughts as two minutes in added time, off a poor clearance by the Qormi defence, the ball reached Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro whose low shot beat Farrugia.
NAXXAR Julian Azzopardi, Andrew Scicluna, Ibok Edet, Mattia Del Negro, Papa Gueye (53’ Pablo Doffo), Daren Falzon, Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro, Ryan Gilmour Cassar (80’ Duane Bonnici), Angus Buhagiar (53’ Terence Vella) David Alejandro Reano, Uchenna Eminike Mbachu.
Subs not used: Luke Pecorella, Victor Bellia, Yaron Sammut, Jurgen Debono.
Coach: Jesmond ZerafaQORMI Matthew Farrugia, Albert Bruce, Bjorn Bondin, Mauricio Matias Mazzeti Latini, Joseph Chetcuti (72’ Ryan Micallef) Alfred Effiong, Frank Temile (88’ Anderson Michele Quatrochi Santos), Emerson Vella, Zoran Levnaic, Duncan Pisani (85’ Roderick Sammut), Jonathan Bondin
Subs not used: Jurgen Cilia, Steve Agius, Carmelo Farrugia, Alessio Cassar.
Coach: Josef MansuetoReferee: Nick Pratt (WAL)
Ass Referees: Ian Bird, Jonathon Bryant (WAL)
Fourth Official: Iwan Griffith (WAL)
Yellow cards: Reano, Micallef, Effiong, Mazzetti, Doffo
Scorers: 48’ Duncan Pisani (Q) 90+2′ Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro
BOV Player of the Match : Duncan Pisani