A penalty by Weverton Gomes handed Balzan a narrow win over Tarxien Rainbows at the National Stadium on Sunday.
Tarxien had new signing goalkeeper Daniel Marcio Fernandes in excellent form, denying Balzan on various occasions.
Apart from Fernandes, the Rainbows had Anderson do Nascimento Carneiro, Vito Plut, Vanger Conceicao da Silva, Eduardo Rosado Souza, Karl Pulo and substitute Kyle Gatt all making their first appearance along with coach Winston Muscat. Balzan, also led by a new coach – Mark Miller, had Eric Lemond McWoods, Suleiman Jalu, Markos Moustakis, Weverton Gomes and Moussa Kamara making their debut.
Balzan scored the all-important goal on the 68th minute when they were awarded a penalty after Anderson do Nascimento Carneiro brought Steven Pisani down inside the area and from the penalty spot, Weverton Gomes Souza made no mistake.
TARXIEN Daniel Marcio Fernandes, Anderson do Nascimento Carneiro (79β Keith Attard), Brandon Muscat, Darren Falzon, Matthew Spiteri (75β Ricardo Pires), Vito Plut, Vanger Conceicao da Silva, Eduardo Rosado Souza, Karl Pulo, Matthew Tabone, Miguel Ciantar (64β Kyle Gatt).Β Β
Subs not used: Jurgen Borg, Cedric Zahra, Daniel Zerafa, Dale Tabone.
Coach:Β Winston MuscatBALZAN Sean Mintoff, Augustine Loof, Samir Arab (89β Steve Bezzina), Paul Fenech, Eric Lemond McWoods, Steven Pisani, Uros Ljubomirac, Suleiman Jalu (76β Marcus Grima), Markos Ermis Moustakis, Weverton Gomes Souza (89β Alfred Effiong), Moussa Kamara (74β Michael Johnson).Β
Subs not used: Andy Catania Gilson, Neil Frendo, Gary Camilleri.
Coach: Mark MillerReferee:Β Slobodan Petrovic
Assistant Referees:Β Chris Francalanza, Mark Ciantar
Fourth Official:Β Philip Farrugia
Yellow Cards: do Nascimento, Pulo, Moustakis, Gatt, Mintoff
BOV Player of the Match: Daniel Fernandes