Gzira and Balzan figured in a 1‐1 draw, a result that did not change the classification leaving Gzira and to a certain extent Balzan, with relegation worries.
Balzan is in eighth place with 19 points, one point ahead of Valletta and three ahead of Mosta, while Gzira lie in the eleventh place with 15 points, one point behind Mosta and three ahead of Santa Lucia.
For this match Balzan’s January signings, Belgian player Olivier Rommens and Malta international Jan Busuttil made their second appearance together with the other new signings South Korean Han Euigwon and Australian George Blackwood who came in as substitutes.
On the other hand, Gżira had Kyle Spence and Dacoasta Boadu making their club debut.
Gzira were the better team in the first half and have only themselves to blame for scoring only one goal in the first forty five minutes.
In the opening minutes, Balzan found themselves in difficulty when Brooklyn Borg missed two good scoring opportunities.
Lucas Ribeiro De Oliveira (Macula) was in splendid form as he regularly created havoc in the Balzan defence.
In the 6th minute, Triston Caruana failed to control the ball and Jackson Mendoza missed a sitter all alone in front of goalkeeper.
In the 12th minute, Balzan almost went ahead when, in an attempt to clear a shot by Ivan Bozovic, Gabriel Bohrer nearly finished the ball at the back of his own net.
Following a corner action, Lucas Ribeiro De Oliveira had a goal disallowed for an offside position.
In the 40th minute, the same LUCAS RIBEIRO DE OLIVEIRA (Macula) was not to be denied when he took advantage of a short clearance on the half way line, dribbled around two defenders before shooting low into the net.
The first half ended with Gzira leading 1-0.
On resumption, Balzan substituted Aleksa Andrejic with Ryohei Michibuchi.
In the 49th minute, Nikola Braunovic saw his attempt finish just wide.
In the 53rd minute, Macula shot over the bar after being set by Thylor Aldama.
On the hour, an effort by Zachary Scerri was blocked by goalkeeper Danilo Golovic.
Balzan drew level in the 63rd minute when OLIVIER ROMMENS hit home with a powerful shot from the edge of the area.
After this goal the game was very balanced with both sides more intent on keeping the point earned than trying to grab the three at stake.
In the 85th minute, Balzan went close when Han Euigwon saw his shot saved by goalkeeper Darijan Zarkov
Gżira United: Darijan Zarkov, Gabriel Bohrer, Thaylor Aldama, Zachary Scerri, Marcelo Dias, Lucas Ribeiro de Oliviera, Luis Carlos Riascos, Zuniga Farid Romero, Zack Cassar, Brooklyn Borg (Kyle Cameron Walter Spence 67’), Jackson Mendoza (Boadu Dacosta 66 min)
Balzan: Danilo Golovic, Ivan Bozovic (Han Euigwon 57’), Andre Prates, Triston Caruana, Paul Fenech (Benjamin Hili 57’), Jan Busuttil (Marcus Grima 70’), Aleksandar Katanic (George Henry Raymond Blackwood 64’), Nikola Zerjal, Nikola Braunovic, Oliver Rummens, Aleksa Andrejic (Ryohei Michibuchi 46’).
Referee: Gabriel Buttigieg
BOV Player of the game : Lucas Ribeiro De Oliveira