Balzan joined Ħamrun Spartans in fifth place, following a 3 – 1 win over Qormi. A win which puts them on the 27-point mark, one behind Birkirkara and one ahead of Sliema Wanderers.
Kampjonat Premier: Balzan F.C. 3-1 Qormi F.C.
Kampjonat Premier: Balzan F.C. 3-1 Qormi F.C.
Posted by L-ARGUMENT on Sunday, January 20, 2019
Two quick goals near the end of the first half by Ricardo Calixto Correa Duarte and Andrija Majdevac paved the way for their victory. Andrija Majdevac added a third in the second half, before Qormi reduced the arrears through Antonio Rozzi.
Balzan gave debut to Steven Pisani, following his transfer from Floriana, while Ricardo Calixto Correa Duarte replaced sick Steven Bezzina, and Dale Camilleri replacing Milos Lepovic.
While Balzan enjoyed more possession Qormi were forced to defend for long stretches. However Balzan could not penetrate the solid Qormi defense where Davide Mansi and Antonio Rozzi were outstanding. They defended stubbornly and appeared to be well organised but, just before the break, Balzan managed to break the stalemate and consolidated it with a second goal before the end of the first 45 minutes. When, midway through the second half, Balzan scored a third goal it was certainly all over . But at the end Qormi found some energy to move forward and scored a consolation goal.
Balzan had the first shot at goal on the 15th minutes when a long distance shot by Paul Fenech was easily saved by goalkeeper Jamie Azzopardi.
On the 31st minute, Balzan had a direct free-kick from the left taken by Carlos De Fiori Mendes (Kadu) which was pushed away by Jamie Azzopardi.
In the 40th minute, a free-kick taken by Paul Fenech, which was not connected by Steven Pisani, finished out.
A minute from the the official half time, Balzan took the lead. Following a good run on the right flank, Ivan Bozovic crossed, RICARDO CALIXTO CORREA DUARTE controlled well before hitting low past the goalkeeper.
Two minutes into the added time, Balzan doubled the score when following a swift counter-attack led by Ricardo Correa, serving Kadu who set ANDRIJA MAJDEVAC who advanced into the box before slotting the ball past onrushing goalkeeper Jamie Azzopardi.
Twelve minutes into the second half, Uros Ljubomirac should have added a third for Balzan. After being served by substitute Alfred Effiong, he advanced inside the box but with only the goalkeeper to beat his shot missed the target by inches.
ANDRIJA MAJDEVAC sealed the issue for Balzan on the hour mark when, following a cross sent from the right by Uros Ljubomirac, he flicked the ball home.
In the 68th minute, Tensor Gusman advanced into the Balzan area but with only the goalkeeper to beat he fired a shot wide of the post.
Finally, on the 74th minute, Qormi pulled one back. Following a cross by Freud Gnindokponou, Balzan’ defence failed to block and ANTONIO ROZZI finished past goalkeeper Steve Sultana.
QORMI : Jamie Azzopardi, Davide Mansi, Yannick Yankam (Michael Borg 71′), Antonio Rozzi, Manolito Micallef, Mateus Regis da Silva, Freud Gnindokponou, Wellington de Oliveira (Nick Ghio 68′), Alessio Cassar (Nathan Gauci 88′), Lucas Santana, Tensior Gusman.
BALZAN : Steve Sultana, Aleksandar Kosoric, Dale Camilleri, Nenad Sljivic, Steve Pisani (Alfred Effiong 55′), Paul Fenech (Sean Cipriott 65′), Uros Ljubomirac (Lydon Micallef 71′), Ivan Bozovic, Carlos Eduardo de Fiori Mendes, Ricardo Calixto Correa Duarte, Andrija Majdevac.
Referee: Stefan Pace
BOV Player of the Match: Andrija Majdevac