OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF SANNAT LIONS FOOTBALL CLUB GOZO - MALTA

 

 

De Andrade’s brace was not enough
 
  
 

SANNAT LIONS FC ...    (F de Andrade 41’, 89’)

  
 

D Bajada, J Agius, P Spiteri, F Debono (S Rais, N Micallef), C de Oliveira, A Debono, M Muscat, M Cutajar, E Grima, F de Andrade, K Mercieca

  
     
  KERCEM AJAX FC ...   (o.g. J Agius 9’; M Stojanovic 25’; FL Adelson 76’)  
 

C Mercieca, F Camilleri, J Mercieca, M Tabone, M Stojanovic, E Hussain, G Conti (M Vella), F Adelson (J Debrincat), M Azzopardi, H Grech (A Buttigieg), JP Mizzi

  
     

    Our Lions were defeated by Kercem Ajax and practically ended our dreams about the title.  We knew that to win the title we had to win all matches left and also we had to depend on other results.  Today something was wrong and not functioning well especially at the back.  Was it over confidence, I do not know.  To tell the truth Kercem played one of their best games this season.  They opened a two goal lead.  Before that, we missed a good opportunity to go in front but Mercieca shot over the bar from few meters.  Our Lions managed to reduce the gap before half time.  In the second period the Lions tried to complete the comeback but it was the Ajax who scored their third goal and secured the three points.  Fernando scored his second goal few minutes before the final whistle for a final score of 3-2.

   The Ajax came out more aggressive and created some pressure on Sannat’s rearguard. It was not surprising that Kercem open the score in the 9th minute. Sannat’s goalie Demis Bajada partially saved a shot by Milos Stojanovic and from the rebound Jean Paul Mizzi’s low shot was deflected past Bajada by defender Justin Agius.

 

    The Lions had an immediate reaction and in the following action Kenneth Mercieca incredibly concluded over the crossbar with an open goal at his mercy. In the 14th minute Kercem’s goalie made a good save following an effort by Mark Muscat. The same goalkeeper was called for another difficult intervention in the 21st minute following a header by Kenneth Mercieca.

 

     Sannat were punished for the missed chances as Kercem doubled the score in the 25th minute. Franklin Adelson entered the area from the left and from his cross Milos Stojanovic headed past goalie Bajada. Sannat were shocked and Kercem became more dangerous with fast breaks. In the 32nd minute a long ranged shot by Gothard Conti ended just high and five minutes later it was Milos Stojanovic who concluded over the crossbar a good move by Adelson.

 

     Sannat replied in the 39th minute with a free kick by Cristiano de Oliveira that missed the target and two minutes later they managed to re-open the issue. Errol Grima escaped from the right flank and from his cross Fernando de Andrade headed in goal from the second post.

 

     Kercem saw more of the ball after the break, while Sannat operated with fast breaks. The Lions were also dangerous in the 55th minute with a corner kick by Frank Debono that ended just wide. In the 59th minute Kercem’s Jonathan Mercieca headed over the crossbar a corner kick by Frankie Camilleri.

 

     One minute later Sannat’s goalie Demis Bajada saved with difficulty in corner a strike from outside the area by Milos Stojanovic. Kercem increased their lead in the 76th minute with a goal by Franklin Adelson who placed past goalie Bajada with a low shot after receiving from Milos Stojanovic.

 

    Two minutes later Kercem’s Manuel Tabone was unlucky when his header from a corner action hit the crossbar. The Lions regained composure in the final moments but only managed to pull one goal back in the 89th minute through Fernando de Andrade who surprised goalie Courtney Mercieca after receiving from Mark Muscat. One minute later a direct free kick by the same de Andrade ended just wide.

 

Referee: Anton Zammit

  
       
 

MATCH PHOTO GALLERY

Copyright Philip Cassar