YoHealth Malta Premier 2025/26
Opening Round – MD2
Naxxar Lions………0
Marsaxlokk…………1
A goal against the run of play in added time gave Marsaxlokk a dramatic victory over Naxxar, who had the better scoring chances but were ultimately punished.
Naxxar were clearly the better side in the first phase of the match, even if scoring opportunities were scarce. In the 29th minute it was Ferreira who went close for the Lions, and three minutes later a shot by Perreira went just wide.
In the 42nd minute, Marsaxlokk had a chance with Aguirre’s angled effort, but it went off target.
In the second half, the teams stretched out a bit more, creating more space and more danger in front of goal.
Naxxar started the second half well, and in the opening minute Perreira’s shot was saved by Mafoumbi. In the 52nd minute, Marsaxlokk replied with a chance of their own, but Nikolai Muscat’s shot went over.
In the 56th minute, another Marsaxlokk attack saw Arias’ shot saved by Debono, with Naxxar responding immediately when Ferreira set up Silva Batista, whose attempt went narrowly wide.
In the 63rd minute, Naxxar squandered a golden chance when Pereira provided for Firmino, who from right in front of goal fired over. Soon after, another Ferreira effort hit the side netting.
In the 79th minute, Naxxar wasted another good chance when Firmino shot wide from an ideal position. Two minutes from time, a cross-shot by Gauci forced Mafoumbi into a difficult save for a corner.
When everything pointed to the game ending in a draw, substitute Ensell Attard struck a dramatic late goal to give Marsaxlokk their second consecutive victory.
Referee: Emanuel Grech
MVP:Jose Arias (Marsaxlokk)
Line Ups:
Naxxar Lions: M. Debono, G. De Campos Goncalves, N. Pace Cocks, J. Souza Dos Santos (A. Firmino), M. Silva Batista, C. Gauci, E. Bolanos (J. Hernandes Reyes), R. Pereira, C. Nganmini, V. Ferreira De Jesus, J. Cardoso.
Marsaxlokk: C. Mafoumbi, O. El Hasni, E. Pepe, N. Muscat, U. Arias, J. Corbalan, A. Soares (E. Attard), J. Minala (N. Portelli), L. Aguirre, M. Barros Santos, A. Ayom Majok (W. Soares Da Silva).
