Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/232206
50 Sport maltatoday, SUNDAY, 22 DECEMBER 2013 SPORTTODAY FOOTBALL PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY ATTARD Balzan earn important victory over Mosta Valletta lose chance to go top Mosta .................... 0 Balzan .................... 2 MOSTA'S hopes for securing a place in Championship Pool took another turn for the worse, as they were defeated 2-0 by Balzan. This would be an important victory for Balzan as their hopes for a place in the Championship Pool are still on track. Balzan's efforts paid off early in the match as they managed to take the lead on the 16th minute. Dylan Grima served Jose Luis Armario Negrin who then made his way into the penalty area and beat goalkeeper Omar Borg with a shot from close range. Mosta were unlucky not to score on the 33rd minute. A freekick by Gianmarco Piccioni was just tipped over the crossbar by goalkeeper Guilherme Lorenzi Schelski. On the 63rd minute the woodwork denied Mosta a equaliser when substitute Bojan Kaljevic hit the crossbar with his shot. Balzan made Mosta regret missing great scoring opportunities on the 66th minute when they doubled their lead. Off a cross by Justin Grioli, Lydon Micallef beat goalkeeper Omar Borg with his precise shot. Just before the final whistle, Mosta were again denied by the woodwork when Bojan Kaljevic's header hit the crossbar. MOSTA Omar Borg, Kane Farrugia, Tyrone Farrugia, Mark Brincat, Manolito Micallef (66' Alex Cini), Ryan Grech, Ricardo Silva Faria, Armando Vieira dos Santos (46' Bojan Kaljevic), Yuri de Jesus Messias, Cristian Martins Fernandes, Gianmarco Piccioni. Subs not used: Kurt Rizzo, , Kurt Zammit, Giancarlo Sammut, James Brincat, Kyle Frendo. Coach: Danilo Doncic BALZAN Guilherme Lorenzi Schelski, Justin Grioli, Steve Bezzina, Gianluca Calabretta (91' Mark Spiteri), Andrew Scicluna, Fabio Vignaroli, Dylan Grima (74' Godwin Mckay)(85' Firas Aboulezz), Lydon Micallef, Luke Sciberras, Jose Luis Armario Negrin, Aaron Agius. Subs not used: Jacob Cipriott, , Michael Borg, Joselito dos Reis Santos, Ryan Darmanin. Coach: Jesmond Zerafa Referee: Marco Borg Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Sammy Attard Additional Assistant Referees: Alan Mario Sant, Paul Caruana Fourth Official: Fyodor Zammit Yellow Cards: Agius, Grioli, Armando dos Santos, Piccioni, T. Farrugia, R. Grech Scorers: 16' Jose Luis Armario Negrin, 66' Lydon Micallef BOV Player of the Match: Dylan Grima Naxxar Lions ........ 2 Valletta ............... 1 VALLETTA lost their chance to go top of the BOV Premier League standings after they suffered a shock defeat against Naxxar Lions. The victory for Naxxar boosts their chances to secure their place in the top half of the table. Naxxar looked the better side at the beginning of the match but Valletta had the first chance on goal on the 8th minute. Denni had his shot turned into a corner by goalkeeper Julian Azzopardi. Naxxar took the lead on the 23rd minute. Andre Rocha da Silva served Ryan Gilmar Cassar and off the latter's cross, Terence Scerri beat goalkeeper Yenz Cini with his powerful shot. Valletta were unluck not to score the equaliser on the 33rd minute when Abdelkarim Nafti hit the crossbar with his direct freekick. Naxxar doubled their lead on the 39th minute. Off a corner by Ryan Gilmour Cassar, a header by Andre Rocha da Silva was partially saved by goalkeeper Yenz Cini and off the rebound, Thiago Lopes de Souza made sure he found the back of the net. Valletta went close to reducing Naxxar's lead when Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza's powerful shot hit the side of the net. In the second half, Naxxar continued to defend well and frustrate Valletta. The match turned for the worse for Valletta on the 59th minute when Steve Borg was sent off for his second bookable offence. Valletta managed to reduce the gap on the 88th minute. A powerful shot by Ryan Fenech from outside the area beat goalkeeper Julian Azzopardi. The comeback was just too late for Valletta as Naxxar ruined their chances to go to the top of the standings before the big match between Birkirkara and Hibernians today. NAXXAR LIONS Julian Azzopardi, Victor Bellia, Angus Buhagiar, Ryan Gilmour Cassar, Gilmar Da Silva Ribeiro, Andrew Decesare, Pablo Doffo, Thiago Lopes De Souza, Andre' Rocha Da Silva (86' Jeremiah Ani), Terence Scerri (77' Mattia Del Negro), Evaldo Silva Dos Santos. Subs not used: Luke Pecorella, Duane Bonnici, John Debono, Jurgen Debono, Daren Falzon. Coach: Winston Muscat VALLETTA Yenz Cini, Jonathan Caruana, Steve Borg, Ryan Fenech, Edmond Agius (82' Hamza Barry), Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (71' Ian Zammit), Oscar Reyes Sanchez, Raimi Bakare (56' Shaun Bajada), Rocha Dos Santos, Abdel Karim Nafti, Luke Dimech. Subs not used: Dyson Falzon, Llywelyn Cremona, Yessous Camilleri, Manuel Bartolo. Coach: Mark Miller Referee: Mario Apap Assistant Referees: Mitchell Scerri, Duncan Sultana Fourth Official: Andre Arciola Yellow Cards: Decesare, Dimech, Evaldo, S. Borg, Bakare, Bellia, Fenech Red Cards: 59' Steve Borg (V) Scorers: 23' Terence Scerri (N), 39' Thiago Lopes De Souza (N); 88' Ryan Fenech (V) BOV Player of the Match: Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro BOV Premier League table 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Birkirkara Valletta Hibernians Sliema W. Mosta Naxxar L. Floriana Balzan Qormi Tarxien R. Vittoriosa S. Rabat Ajax P 15 16 15 16 16 16 15 16 16 16 16 15 Pts 38 37 35 29 22 21 18 16 14 13 12 5