Early Gzira goals stun Citizens

Gzira United scored twice within the first six minutes as they defeated Valletta 2-1 at the Hibernians Stadium on Sunday to join them in second place, three points behind leaders Balzan.

The Maroons too the lead after just three minutes when off a cross by Sacha Borg, Amadou Samb rose high to head home past goalkeeper Henry Bonello.

Three minutes later, Gzira doubled the score when Juan Carlos Corbolan advanced on the right and into the area before hitting low past the Valletta goalkeeper

Valletta pulled one back on the 66th minute when they were awarded a penalty after Rowen Muscat was brought down inside the area and from the penalty spot, substitute Denni Rocha dos Santos converted.

On the 90th minute, the Citizens were reduced to ten men after Steve Borg was sent off by referee Fyodor Zammit.

Photos: Copyright © Andrew Grima

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GZIRA Justin Haber, Roderick Briffa, Andrew Cohen (77′ Gary Muir), Ndubisi Emanuel Okoye, Amadou Samb, Antonio Macedo Neto, Souleymane Diamoutene, Zack Scerri, Sacha Borg, Moises Avila Perez (90′ Luca Brincat), Juan Corbolan (12′ Nikolai Muscat).
Subs not used: Anthony Curmi, Christain Sammut, Karl Pulo, Sem Kamana Ogolong.
Coach: Darren Abdilla

VALLETTA Henry Bonello, Jean Borg, Ryan Camilleri, Joseph Zerafa, Claudio Pani, Juan Gill Cruz (8′ Rowen Muscat), Santiago Malano (56′ Denni Rocha Dos Santos), Raed Ibrahim Saleh, Kyrian Nwoko, Jean Borg, Matteo Piciollo (71′ Umeh Uchenna Calistus).
Subs not used: Maverick Buhagiar, Nicholas Pulis, Russell Fenech, Shawn Dimech
Coach: Zoran Popovic

Referee: Fyodor Zammit
Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, Saviour Attard
Fourth Official: Matthew Degabriele
Yellow Cards: M. Piciollo, J. Zerafa, A. Samb, M. Avila Perez, Z. Scerri, R. Briffa, S. Diamoutene
Red Cards: 90′ Steve Borg
BOV Player of the Match: Amadou Samb
Attendance: 914