MOSTA 1
Failla 70
GŻIRA UNITED 0
MOSTA
D. Udoh Akpan, P. Afriyie, S. Cachia, L. Coulibaly, G. Goncalves (90 M. Pires), C. Failla, J. Agyemang (86 S. Kone), S. Okereke (74 S. Chiemezie), J. Teixeira, J. Vassallo, Y. Bamba (46 N. Agius).
GŻIRA UNITED
M. Copic, G. Bohrer, J. Minala, E. Pepe, A. Borg, Z. Scerri, L. Riascos, M. Shaquill, M. De Filippis (70 B. Borg) , K. Tulimieri, T. Espindola.
Referee: Fyodor Zammit.
Yellow cards: Afriyie, Vassallo, Bohrer, Chiemezie.
Mosta continued from where they left off to steal an early march on rivals Gzira United in their opening match from the Closing Round.
The momentum shifted decisively when Clayton Failla struck with a beautifully executed freekick in the 70th minute.
Gżira United tried to hit back but they struggled for form.
New goalkeeper Marko Copic had to pull off smart saves to keep out shots from Failla and substitute Stephen Chiemezie.
At the death Copic rescued the Maroons again by keeping out Chiemezie’s late effort.
Mosta deployed an unusually cautious 4-5-1 formation with Sunday Okereke as main striker.
They began with purpose and industry, threatening the Maroons goal early on through Joao Teixeira.
Giancarlo Goncalves swung over a dangerous cross to the far post and the Brazilian defender tried to guide the ball goalwards with the Gzira new goalkeeper Copic blocking his effort.
However, Giovanni Tedesco’s decision to field a team with attacking intent, soon began to pay dividends.
Tedesco selected a ‘false nine’ system in a 4-1-3-2 module with attacking duo – Manuel De Filippis and Kevin Tulimieri, shifting positions thus giving the Mosta rearguard no point of reference.
That allowed his side to gain a foothold in the game and after 30 minutes, Thiago Espindola hit a rising shot which crashed against the post.
Yacouba Oumar Bamba made his debut for Mosta but the former Manfredonia midfielder lasted just 45 minutes before he was substituted by Nathan Agius.
Soon after the break, Joshua Agyemang flashed a snap-shot which was deflected into a corner.
On 70 minutes, Mosta were awarded a free-kick from just outside the D. Clayton Failla took his chance well and curled the ball exquisitely over the ball and into the top corner of Copic’s net.
The Gżira rearguard were having a torrid time trying to tame substitute Stephen Chiemezie, repeatedly resorting to fouls.
Six minutes from time, they conceded another free-kick, in perfect territory for Failla but this time, Copic tipped his effort over the bar.
In the dying minutes, Mosta tried to punish Gżira’s flat-out approach but Copic lunged at Chiemezie’s foot to stop the striker as he was about to pull the trigger.
