For this game Balzan had to do without injured defender Bruno Gilio De Oliveira and midfielders Milos Lepovic, Ryan Fenech. On the other hand Gzira United had midfielder Andrew Cohen was missing on suspension.
During the game, goalmouth actions were rare and no real energy and flow was put in by both sides. Balzan enjoyed a measure of control creating space through Alfred Effiong and Uros Ljubomirac but Gzira’s defence restricted them to few clear opportunities. On the other hand Gzira chased and stressed their opponents but lacked the required energy as they missed the services of Andrew Cohen.
On the 6th minute, Balzan went close when Alfred Effiong headed the ball into the path of Bojan Kaljevic, whose shot finished over the bar from a good position.
On the 23rd minute, following a quick counterattack on the other side involving Zack Scerri and Moises Avila Perez, Ndubisi Okoye dribble his way past a couple of defenders before trying to pass the ball between the goalkeeper and the goalpost. However, Ivan Janjusevic blocked his effort.
The second half continued with the same approach having both teams cautious and defending not to conceve a goal.
On the 55th minute, a powerful drive by Zackary Scerri was deflected for a corner by a Balzan defender.
Gzira forced a series of corner-kicks and free-kick which however failed to yield anything tangible.
On the 63rd minute, following a deep cross from the right by Ivan Bozovic, the clearance by a Gzira defender was met by Alfred Effiong but his shot finished high over the crossbar..
5 minutes later, Alfred Effiong tried to take advantage from a slip-up by defender Destin Mambouana but his diagonal effort skimmed the post.
In the 78th minute, Balzan, in an effort to increase the tempo, introduced Siraj Arab for Alfred Effiong but Gzira held firm and till the end of the match neither side managed to break the deadlock.
BALZAN FC : Ivan Janjusevic, Uros Ljubomirac, Alfred Effiong (Siraj Arab Eddin 79′), Elkin Serrano Valero, Paul Fenech, Ivan Bozovic (Justin Grioli 92′), Michael Johnson, Steve Bezzina, Alex da Paixao Alves, Bojan Kaljevic, Carlos Eduardo de Fiori Mendes.
GZIRA U FC : Justin Haber, Roderick Briffa, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Destin Prince-Loic Mambouana, Kris Thackray, Moises Avila Perez, Edison Bilbao Zarate, Haruna Garba Zambuk, Zack Scerri (Nikolai Muscat 75′), Amadou Samb (Juan Carlos Corbalan 92′), Ndubuisi Emmanuel Okoye.
Referee: Glen Tonna
Player of the Match: Ndubisi Okoye (Gżira)