Naxxar Lions claimed three important points in their bid to avoid automatic relegation as they defeated Gżira United 2-0
This crucial victory lifted Gżira United level on points with the Maroons
Naxxar cross swords with Balzan while Gżira take on Melita
A draw for the Lions would be enough to avoid the bottom two places and set up a relegation play-off with Melita
who were coming from back-to-back wins over Żabbar St Patrick and Hibernians
therefore need at least a point from their last game to retain their Malta Premier status
Gżira held the initiative throughout but it was Naxxar who threatened on 11 minutes when Edson Farias headed just wide off a Maicon cross
The Maroons continued to dominate but had to wait till the 45th minute to threaten when goalkeeper Matthias Debono came to the rescue blocking a fine Thiago Espindola freekick
Naxxar forged ahead thanks to Edson Farias whose powerful long-distance freekick gave goalkeeper Giulio Mangano no chance
Jackson Mendoza had a fine shot from outside the area neutralised by Debono on 55 minutes and three minutes later
the Naxxar custodian performed a good save on Espindola
Farias sent Edward Bolanos through for Naxxar but the latter hit high from the edge of the area
Gżira went close to equalising with a powerful shot by substitute Kevin Tulimieri which scraped past the post
Bacary Sane then came to the rescue for Naxxar anticipating Enrico Pepe to clear the ball into safety off a corner from the left by Espindola on 72 minutes
Takuma Yamaguchi delivered a freekick from the right
with Sane slotting the ball past the Gżira custodian
Tulimieri had a fine rising shot from the edge of the area ending just over the bar as Gżira tried to reduce the gap
with the player being taken to hospital by an ambulance
The game resumed ten minutes later and thirteen minutes in added time
substitute Tara Ndao almost added a third goal but his shot from the left ended wide
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