360sports Malta Premier Bottom 6
BALZAN………………1
NAXXAR LIONS……1
Balzan have been relegated after fourteen years in the Premier League, following their failure to secure the three crucial points in their decisive match against Naxxar Lions. Naxxar, on the other hand, will now battle for a place in the top flight this Friday in a relegation playoff against Melita.
According to the regulations of the 360Sports Malta Premier, Balzan are automatically relegated after finishing in the bottom two positions in both the Opening Round and the Closing Round under the league’s new format.
Balzan can only blame themselves for not emerging victorious, having squandered several scoring opportunities — including a penalty — and instead conceding the opening goal on Naxxar’s first attack.
The first chance of the match fell to Balzan when Akpan beat the offside trap, but his lob attempt was too weak and Naxxar goalkeeper Mathias Debono turned it away for a corner.
Balzan had another opportunity in the 17th minute, this time through Blasco, who however shot wide from a free kick on the edge of the box. Balzan were dangerous again five minutes later when Benjamin Hili crossed from the wing to Awosanya, who incredibly shot over from close range.
The final action of the first half came two minutes before the break with a long-range effort from Marcus Grima for Balzan, which sailed wide — the half closed at 0-0.
Balzan came out attacking after the break, and in the 50th minute they had a golden chance to open the scoring when Nikolai Micallef fouled Awosanya in the box and referee Trustin Farrugia Cann immediately pointed to the penalty spot. However, Jan Busuttil saw his spot-kick saved by goalkeeper Debono.
Balzan paid dearly for that miss, as just seven minutes later Naxxar scored with practically their first real chance. A move that started from a throw-in saw the ball flicked to Maicon da Silva, who fired home with a first-time shot.
Balzan kept pushing and their efforts were rewarded with an equalizer from Awosanya in the 85th minute after a neat exchange with a teammate in the box.
Their final attempts were disjointed and caused little trouble to the Naxxar defence. Despite five minutes of added time, the final whistle saw the score remain Balzan 1, Naxxar Lions 1. Balzan are relegated to the Challenge League for the first time since 2011, while Naxxar Lions now have a chance to retain their Premier League status for a third consecutive season if they beat Melita in Friday’s relegation playoff.
Naxxar Lions vs Melita — this Friday at Tony Bezzina Stadium, kick-off at 18:00 — live on TVMsport+
Both teams started with the following line-ups:
Balzan: Danilo Golovic, Marcus Grima, Nicholas Pulis, Jan Busuttil (capt.), Benjamin Hili, Dimeji Awosanya, Henri Stanic, Luka Lukovic, Llorens Blasco, Udoyen Akpan, Elvis Kamsoba
Coach: Andrew Cohen
Naxxar Lions: Mathias Debono, Nikolai Micallef, Bacary Sane, Neil Pace Cocks, Edward Bolanos, Edson Farias, Hugo Dos Santos Coelho, Helder Correia, Maicon de Souza da Silva, Fernando Barbosa, Joao Vitor Moura Silva
Coach: George Vella
Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann
