Balzan defeated First Division side Qrendi 5-1 and will now face Xewkija Tigers in the fourth round of the FA Trophy.

For this game Balzan rested several key players and gave an opportunity to other players in the squad. Goalkeeper Steven Sultana, Nenad Sljivic, Elkin Orlando Serrano Valero, Alex Da Paixao Alves and Uros Ljubomirac were missing from the line-up while Alfred Effiong and Justin Grioli were left on the bench. However these were replaced with goalkeeper Sean Mintoff, Dale Camilleri, Ricardo Calixto Correa Duarte, Andrija Majdevac, Ivan Bozovic, Lydon Micallef and Harry Ascroft and substitutes Gary Camilleri, Sean Cipriott and Yudai Miyamoto, who all did their job well.

FA Trophy: Balzan F.C. 5-1 Qrendi FC

FA Trophy: Balzan F.C. 5-1 Qrendi FC

Posted by L-ARGUMENT on Sunday, December 2, 2018

 

Balzan, took less than 10 minutes to take the lead. Qrendi goalkeeper Jeffrey Farrugia blocked a first shot by Ricardo Calixto Correa Duarte and from the rebound CARLOS EDUARDO DE FIORI MENDES (Kadu) fired a shot, with the ball ending at the back of the net.

In the 16th minute, Balzan extended their lead. Ricardo Calixto Correa Duarte set ANDRIJA MAJDEVAC inside the box who did not hesitate to finish past goalkeeper Jeffrey Farrugia.

In the 25th minute, Qrendi pulled a goal back. In an isolated fast counter attack which surprised the Balzan defenders, CIRO QUANTANA connected with a first time to finish the ball past goalkeeper Sean Mintoff.

On the half hour, Balzan restored their two-goal advantage with a fine move. Kadu and Lydon Micallef exchanged the ball in midfield, the latter tried his luck but his shot was miscued, however the ball fell into the path of unmarked RICARDO CALIXTO CORREA DUARTE who managed to finish the ball home.

Just before half time, a mistake by Bjorn Bondin gifted Balzan a fourth goal. The Qrendi captain cleared a cross shot by Ivan Bozovic but the rebound fell into the path of ANDRIJA MAJDEVAC who poked home from close range.

In the second half Balzan continued administering the game with Qrendi defending for most of the time.

in the 56th minute, goalkeeper Jeffrey Farrugia made a good save to corner a fierce shot by ricardo Correa.

In the 72nd minute ANDRIJA MAJDEVAC sealed the issue gathering a hat trick with a fine header, following a free-kick taken by Kadu.

The last attempt was made by Qrendi in the 83rd minute when substitute Kenneth Abela set Ciro Quaranta whose shot was saved in two attempts by goalkeeper Sean Mintoff.

BALZAN : Sean Mintoff, Dale Camilleri, Lydon Micallef (Yudai Miyamoto 58′), Steven Bezzina (Gary Camilleri 46′), Harry Ascroft, Michael Johnson, Ivan Bozovic, Carlos Eduardo de Fiori Mendes, Ricardo Calixto Correa Duarte, Andrija Majdevac, Milos Lepovic (Sean Cipriott 63′).

QRENDI : Jeffrey Farrugia, Daryl Micallef, Mark Farrugia (Zackary Bowman 42′), Bjorn Bondin, Marlon Reid (Ryan Dalli 76′), Christian Caruana (Kenneth Abela 65′), Neil Falzon, Josuel Spiteri, Joao Pedro da Silva Vargas, Ciro Quaranta, Jonatan Silveira da Silva.

Referee: Matthew Degabriele