Naxxar Lions ensured their place in the 360 Malta Premier League with a vital 1-0 victory over Melita, who will now be relegated to the Challenge League following this narrow defeat.
The match began with early intent from Naxxar. In the 6th minute, Edson Farias played a promising ball to Hugo Dos Santos, who found himself inside the box but failed to convert.
Melita responded in the 20th minute with a corner delivered by Debattista. The ball reached Gonzalez, who struck it first-time, only for his effort to go narrowly wide.
In the 33rd minute, Naxxar Lions executed a well-worked short corner. Farias played a quick pass to Bolanos, who returned the ball to Farias. The latter struck it first-time, but goalkeeper Mizzi was alert and saved well.
Just before the half-time whistle, Naxxar broke the deadlock. A free-kick from the left by Bonanno found Dos Santos unmarked, and he headed past the out-of-position Mizzi to give Naxxar a 1-0 lead.
In the 52nd minute, Naxxar almost doubled their lead after a smart aerial pass from Sane found Dos Santos, who flicked it on with his head to De Souza. The latter charged forward and fired a shot from the edge of the box, which struck the post and went out.
Two minutes later, Naxxar missed a golden opportunity on the counter. Dos Santos sprinted forward and passed to a group of three teammates, with Maicon anticipating well. However, one-on-one with Mizzi, he sent his shot wide.
In the 79th minute, Melita began to pile on the pressure. A shot by Degabriele took a deflection off a Naxxar defender and went out for a corner.
Melita came closest to an equaliser in the 86th minute when Ensell Attard delivered a fine cross to Gyamfi. His powerful header was brilliantly saved by Debono, preserving Naxxar’s lead.
Player of the Match: Hugo Dos Santos (Naxxar Lions)
Referee: Philip Farrugia
Melita: Gosef Mizzi, Aldair Pena (Ensell Attard), Jean Pierre Attard (C), Matthew Debattista, Marc Bovenkamp, David Xuereb, Jesus Yepez (Nick Cutajar), Gareth Barone, Kurt Bondin (Collins Gyamfi), Andres Sanchez, Santiago Martinez
Naxxar Lions: Matthias Debono, Nikolai Micallef, Bacary Sane, Orlando Bolanos (Takuma Yamaguchi), Edson Farias (C), Hugo Dos Santos (Leal Hernandez), Laton, Maicon De Souza, Fernando Barbosa, Giuseppe Bonanno (Jean Paul Farrugia), Joao Vitor
