GŻIRA UNITED 2-1 BALZAN
Faysal Chouhaib 75, Thaylor 82 (G); Jan Busuttil 71 (B).
Gżira United overcame the dismissal of winger Marcelo Dias to down a poor Balzan 2-1.
The Maroons looked to be up against it when Jan Busuttil’s screamer broke the deadlock 19 minutes from time.
But two great goals from Faysal Chouhaib and Thaylor put Gżira in firm control as Balzan lost the plot in the final stages.
This win lifts Gżira one point clear of Marsaxlokk at the top of the bottom six as the two sides meet in the final round of the opening stage.
The Maroons lost Dias to a red card awarded for elbowing Victor Blasco eight minutes from the interval.
But Giovanni Tedesco’s side battled away superbly to go on and take all three points.
Chances were few and far between all afternoon, although it was Gżira who carved out the better openings in the first half. Gabriel Bohrer hit a rasping shot which crashed against the crossbar.
Balzan offered little threat at the end but the Maroons were in for a long, hard afternoon when winger Dias was dismissed by referee Ishmael Barbara after the contact with Blasco.
Balzan took full advantage of their numerical superiority to take the lead on 71 minutes. Benjamin Hili’s cross from a tight position on the left was absolutely superb, and Busuttil let fly a powerful shot that ripped past Justin Haber.
Gżira were shell-shocked but tried to make a reaction.
The Maroons tried to push forward and Faysal Hassany Chouhab cut in from the left and smashed an unstoppable shot behind Ciappara.
The woodwork then came to Balzan’s rescue when Espindola’s strong drive from the right rattled the post.
But there was no reprieve for Balzan eight minutes from time when Thaylor Aldama’s long-range effort took a wicked deflection off Samir Arab and wrong-footed the Balzan goallkeeper.
Gzira did have one scare at the death when Henry Stanic’s shot was deflected wide for a corner. But a goal at that stage would have been rough on the Maroons who certainly deserved their win.
