Two goals in two minutes mid-way through the second half handed Zejtun Corinthians a 2-0 win over Lija Athletic at the Centenary Stadium on Tuesday. A win which puts Zejtun in the eleventh place, together with Sirens, on 12 points.
Lija, on the other hand, suffer the eighth defeat in eleven matches to stay second from bottom.
Erjon Beu was unlucky to hit the woodwork with a header after just eight minutes and then Kemar Reid hit the foot of the upright from close range ten minutes later.
Zejtun took the lead on 73 minute when Vitor Vieira entered the penalty area from the left and beat goalkeeper Luke Bonnici with an angled shot.
Two minutes later, Kemar Reid advanced on the right and rounded a defender just inside the area before serving Fernando Jose Gomes whose low shot gave goalkeeper Luke Bonnici no chance.
Four minutes from time, Lija defender Juan Cruz Gill and Zejtun substitute Roberio do Nascimento Santos were sent off after an incident between the two.
ZEJTUN Christian Cassar, Lucas Moreira, Adrian Carabott (Roberio do Nascimento Santos 66’), Kemar David Reid, Thiago Bonfim, Christian Grech, Fernando Jose Gomes, Vitor Vieira, Edward Herrera (Gianluca Bugeja 76’), Neil Tabone, Anderson de Barros (Dylan Agius 80’).
Coach: Orosco AnonamLIJA Luke Bonnici, Leon Muscat, Ismael Borg, Erjon Beu, Neil Micallef (Nicholas Mclaren 72’), Fernando Javier Brandan, Harry Wood (18-Ryan Darmanin 77’), Miguel Perez Jimenez, Juan Cruz Gill, Clayton Giordimaina, Valdo Goncalves Alhinho.
Coach: Joseph GaleaReferee: Daniel Portelli
Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Jurgen Spiteri
Fourth Official: Stefan Pace
Yellow Cards: A. De Barros, V. Vieira, D. Agius, G. Bugeja; H. Wood, N. Micallef, V. Alhinho, E. Beu L. Muscat
Red Cards: 86’ Juan Cruz Gill (L); 86’ Roberio do Nascimento Santos (Z)
BOV Player of the Match: Fernando Jose Gomes
We were the better side throughout the 90 min, and the score could have been more if we managed to take the chances we created especially in the first half.
A good game, that was blurred with shameful incident and the dismissal of two players. About our player Roberio that was shown the red card, when you are winning the game with only few minutes left from the end, and you are being expelled for retaliation, in my opinion is lack of professionalism. I am not going to condemn the wrong doing of the opponent, my interest is in our team and the sacrifices that the coaching staff and committee are doing. In such situation professional players will take advantage from the situation and not retaliate. I know that some are not going to like this statement but hard words breaks no bones.
This game is now history and we need to focus on the next game in very short period of time against a very tough opponent that need to prove that he is still there to challenge. Now it’s up to us to give our best like we did against other big clubs.
Kurragg Blues!!
Message for Health Authorities
Now that we are seeing supporters in other leagues, when our Health Authorities are going to permit local supporters to enter our stadiums? May I ask how political activities of both parties are permited Indoors and local supporters in outdoor stadia are not allowed? The current Covid-19 social measures can be applied easily in our football stands and we can start enjoying football in our stadiums.
In the current situation I thank the MFA for streaming matches live.