Gzira come back from two goals down to hold Santa Lucia in 2-2 draw

Gzira United came back from two goals down to hold Santa Lucia in a 2-2 draw at the Tony Bezzina Stadium on Saturday.

Santa Lucia therefore join Gudja and Mosta on 11 points as the three now share the second place from bottom, seven points ahead of Sliema. Gzira, on the other hand, move one point ahead of Balzan who, however, have two games in hand.

Santa Lucia took the lead after just two minutes when Francisco Eliomar Rodrigues Farias served Vito Plut from the left and the latter’s shot was partially saved by the goalkeeper with Jamie Zerafa hittng home off the rebound.

On the half-hour, Santa Lucia doubled the score thanks to Francisco Eliomar Rodrigues Farias who pounced onto a long through pass and advanced into the area before beating goalkeeper Darijan Radelic Zarkov.

Five minutes later, Gzira reduced the gap thanks to Jefferson de Assis whose shot from the left beat goalkeeper Julani Archibald after the St Kitts and Nevis goalkeeper partially saved a Yuri Messias effort.

Four minutes from the end of the first half, Gzira levelled matters thanks to a Maxuell Maia penalty after Yuri Messias was brought down inside the area.

On the 69th minute, Santa Lucia were reduced to ten men after Victor Luiz Prestes Filho received a second yellow card.

However seven minutes from time, Gzira United also had a player sent off as Luke Tabone received a second yellow card.