Gzira United up to second place after fourth consecutive win.

Gzira United 1 Floriana 0

16th October 2022, Ta’ Qali National Stadium

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Gzira United continued and maintained their unbeaten run of nine matches in the League extending from the previous season. With the fourth successive win registered today against Floriana they have now climbed to second joint place with Birkirkara and two points under leaders Hamrun Spartans. This continues to confirm Gzira’s credentials as title challengers for this season.

Today’s match was a tactical one with both defenses taking upper hand. However, Gzira deserved their win after having more clear-cut chances especially in the first half, including a missed penalty and disallowed goal. Floriana had a bit more possession in the second half, however Gzira’s solid defense, limited Floriana’s scoring opportunities to a number of attempts at goal but with no real danger for Gzira’s goalkeeper Darijan.

The first chance of the match was created in the 6th minute after a cross by Gzira’s Maxuell from the right which was narrowly missed by the onrushing Jefferson in the opponent’s penalty area.

Floriana responded with Floriana’s Kemar shot from outside the penalty area being well saved by Gzira’s keeper Darijan.

In the 15th minute Gzira were awarded a penalty after Jeffersen was bundled over. However, Maxwell’s subsequent penalty was saved by Floriana keeper Kitanov, who diverted Maxwell’s low left shot to a corner.

In the 27th minute Jeffersen had a good chance after a long-range free kick from Gzira’s own half left him with just the opponent’s keeper to beat, but his effort went wide over the bar.

However, on the 29th minute Jeffersen made up amends for the previous chance missed, by scoring what turned out to be the winning goal of the match. A long ball was chested down by Jeffersen at the edge of the opponent’s penalty area after being challenged by Floriana’s defenders, which ball was driven with a low shot to the right of Floriana’s Kitanov unsuccessful attempt to save.

In the 33rd minute a cross by Gzira’s Dias on the right flank was headed in by Pisani but the goal was disallowed for a dubious offside position.

In the second half, the best chance fell to Gzira’s Jeffersen who won a ball from Floriana’s last line of defense and going forward towards Floriana’s goal was tackled at the last moment by Floriana’s keeper who cleared the ball to safety.

For the rest of the half and an extra six minutes of additional time, Floriana took the initiative to try to search for an equalizer, but Gzira’s style of play kept Floriana’s attempts to a minimum with goalkeeper Darijan neutralizing Floriana’s last attempts at goal.

Gzira held on to a well-deserved victory to the applause of Gzira’s numerous supporters and accompanied by the merrymaking from popular band tunes.

Well done boys and Up the Maroons for the upcoming matches against Valletta and Hamrun, which could see Gzira United FC topping the Premier League in two weeks-time!

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PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Jeffersen De Assis

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Claude Cuschieri

Club Editor