Gzira maintain European spot hopes alive

Gzira United maintained alive hopes of securing a place in the UEFA Europa Conference League this summer as they defeated Gudja United 3-1 in a match from the BOV Premier League Top Six final round at the National Stadium on Sunday.

The Maroons are currently fifth on 40 points, one behind Birkirkara and two behind Hamrun Spartans. They could force a decider for third place should they beat Hibernians and the direct clash between Hamrun and Birkirkara ends in a draw. In case of a win for either Hamrun or Birkirkara and a win for Gzira over Hibernians. the Maroons would take fourth place which would not guarantee a place in European football.

Gzira took the lead eight minutes from the end of the first half when Gabriel Bohrer Mentz served Maxuell Maia on the right and the latter hit home past goalkeeper Glenn Zammit.

On the hour, the Maroons doubled the score courtesy of a Maxuell Maia penalty after Jefferson de Assis was brought down inside the area.

Gudja pulled one back on the 82nd minute when off a throw-in by Matias Muchardi for Giorgi Nikabadze on the left, the latter served Marcelo Dias who hit home from close range.

However three minutes from time, Gzira made it 3-1 thanks to Yuri Messias who slammed the ball home following a cross by Ricardo Correa from the left.