Gudja, Gzira share six goals in 3-3 draw

Gudja United and Gzira United earned a point each in an entertaining 3-3 draw at the Centenary Stadium on Friday.

Gudja were a better side in the opening minutes taking a well-deserved lead but despite having Luis Riascos sent off, the Maroons fought back and reduced the gap before half-time, scoring twice in the second half to turn the score in their favour. However late in the game, Gudja notched the equaliser to rescue a point.

Gudja had one change from their last outing as Nicolas Navarrete replaced Ahinga Selemani while Gzira had Steve Pisani and Toni Kolega replacing Marcelo Dias and Maxuell Maia.

Gudja took the lead on the 18th minute with a fine shot by Vito Plut which gave goalkeeper Darijan Radelic Zarkov no chance.

Five minutes later, Gudja doubled the score when Neil Micallef served Samuel Gomes da Mata whose rising shot beat the Gzira custodian.

The Maroons were reduced to ten men on the 38th after Luis Carlos Riascos received a second yellow card for a reckless tackle on Muchardi.

Three minutes from the end of the first half, Gzira pulled one back when off a cross by Clive Gauci from the right, Jefferson de Assis headed home from close range. 

On the 65th minute, the Maroons levelled matters with an rising shot from the right by substitute Maxuell Maia which beat goalkeeper Glenn Zammit.

Gzira forged ahead on the 72nd minute when Jackson Mendoza had a freekick from the left blocked by Zammit but Jefferson de Assis headed the ball home off the rebound. 

However five minutes from time, substitute Johann Bezzina restored equilibrium when he concluded a fine solo effort with a diagonal shot from the left which beat substitute goalkeeper David Cassar.

>> Gudja United vs Gzira United match card