OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF SANNAT LIONS FOOTBALL CLUB GOZO - MALTA

 

MATCH VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

 
First Goals and First Points for Our Lions
  
 

SANNAT LIONS FC ...     (S Rais 18’, M Muscat 40’; F de Andrade 74’)

  
 

D Bajada, J Agius, P Spiteri (E Grima), C de Oliviera, A Debono, M Cutajar, J Vella, M Formosa, M Muscat, S Rais, F de Andrade

  
     
  KERCEM AJAX FC ...   (M Azzopardi 20’; D Stojanovic 83’)  
 

L Camilleri, F Camilleri, M Tabone, D Stojanovic, M Vella, G Conti, J Debrincat, JP Mizzi, A Grech (H Grech), J Mercieca (C Grech), M Azzopardi

  
     

 

 

 

 

  In our third outing of the campaign, our Lions scored the first goals of the season and registered the first three points which saw us climb the table to the fourth place.  The Lions had a good performance and were worthy winners of this match. 

 

   Our Lions dominated for long patches of the match and could have scored more goals.  At the end it was very nervous as a player form each side was also sent off.  Sabri Rais opened the score but few moments later Kercem leveled the score.  But Mark Muscat before the break restored the lead.  In the second period Fernando De Andrade increased the lead.  Kercem scored their second but our Lions kept solid till the end for a final result of 3-2.

 

  Kercem’s goalkeeper was tested in the initial stages with a shot by John Vella in the 7th minute and in the 12th minute he was called to save a header by Sabri Rais from a cross by Mark Muscat. One minute later a long ranged shot by Cristiano de Oliveira ended just wide. The Lions opened the score, and scored their first goal of the championship, in the 18th minute. Sabri Rais connected well with a cross by Paul Spiteri and headed past goalie Leonard Camilleri from close distance.

 

  Kercem had an immediate reaction. One minute later Sannat’s Paul Spiteri deflected badly a free kick by Frankie Camilleri and almost committed an own goal. The Ajax levelled the score in the 20th minute with a header by Mario Azzopardi, who was making a return with Kercem, following a corner kick by John Paul Mizzi.

 

  Sannat regain some superiority and in the 30th minute a lob by de Oliveira from a corner action ended just over the crossbar. Three minutes later it was Kercem’s Mario Azzopardi who denied Sannat from taking the lead when he cleared off the line a header by Fernando de Andrade with the goalkeeper beaten.

 

  The Lions regained the lead in the 40th minute. Andrew Debono passed through Kercem’s rearguard, unmarked Mark Muscat and the latter placed easily in goal with a low shot from an angled position. 

 

  After the break Sannat continued to be the better side while Kercem only managed to operate with counter breaks. In the 53rd minute Kercem’s goalie Camilleri saved with difficulty a cross shot by Mark Muscat. Kercem replied five minutes later with a shot by Joseph Debrincat that ended just high following a move on the left by Gothard Conti.

 

  The Ajax were again dangerous in the 65th minute with a header by Mario Azzopardi that was well saved by goalie Bajada following a free kick by Frankie Camilleri. Seconds later Conti’s attempt ended over the crossbar from a cross by Joseph Debrincat. Kercem grew in confidence and passed through a good patch of play, putting some pressure on their opponents. They were also dangerous with efforts by Mario Azzopardi and Joseph Debrincat.

 

  The Lions could have increased the lead in the 71st minute. Kercem’s goalie Camilleri did not stop a cross by Mark Muscat but defender Manuel Tabone cleared off the line before Rais could place in goal.

 

  However, Sannat took a two-goal lead in the 74th minute. Justin Agius entered the area from the left and Fernando de Andrade placed easily in goal from close distance. Kercem managed to re-open the result with a goal scored in the 83rd minute. Sannat’s goalie Bajada partially saved a free kick by John Paul Mizzi and from the rebound Darko Stojanovic pushed the ball over the fatal line.

 

  Play became nervous in the dying moments and in the 88th minute the two sides ended with ten players. Kercem’s Frankie Camilleri and Sannat’s John Vella were sent off for quarrelling, while Kercem’s coach Victor Caruana was also sent off the bench for protests.

Referee:         Reno Refalo

  
       
 

MATCH PHOTO GALLERY

Copyright Philip Cassar