GŻIRA UNITED 2
Jefferson 6
Bohrer 64 pen.
SLIEMA WANDERERS 0
Gżira United D. Zarkov, G. Bohrer, L. Tabone, S. Pisani, Z. Scerri, M. Dias, T. Koleva, M. Cosic, M. Maia, Jefferson. J. Mendoza (61 L. Riascos).
Sliema Wanderers R. Al Tumi, J. Vella (62 G. Aquilina), J. Engerer, M. Scerri, J. Goncalves (61 L. Muscat), E. Agius, N. Frendo, B. Freire, G. Acheampong, M. Beerman, M. Awad (87 O. Elouni).
Referee Matthew De Gabriele.
Yellow cards M. Scerri, Z. Scerri, Mendoza, Goncalves, Bohrer.
Red card Scerri (Sliema) 57; Maia ( Gżira United) 57.
Gżira United had to be at their best to overcome the stiff challenge of neighbouring rivals Sliema Wanderers at the Tony Bezzina Stadium on Sunday.
It was a clinical performance from the Maroons who after taking an early lead managed to control Sliema’s fightback and made the most of the chances that came their way to set up a Last 16 tie against Qala Saints.
Gżira United took the ground running and inside the first six minutes, they were already ahead.
Marcelo Dias sped clear on the right and sent a low cross towards Jefferson who anticipated his marker and fired the ball past Rashed Al Tumi.
The Wanderers tried to recover from this setback and on 14 minutes, Mohammed Awad embarked on a surging run that took him past two players before hitting a rasping drive that was somehow kept out by Darijan Zarkov.
Sliema threatened again on 26 minutes when Jean Carlos Goncalves combined well with Geoffrey Acheampong but the Sliema midfielder was denied by Zarkov.
The Blues continued to hold the initiative but for all their pressure they could not create any danger to the Gżira defence.
The second half saw Sliema enjoy more the initiative but chances remained scarce.
On 58 minutes, both teams finished with ten men, when Mark Scerri, who was already booked, and Maxuell clashed with the Sliema midfielder shown a second yellow card and the Gżira forward receiving a straight red card.
On the hour, Mohammed Awad picked up a short clearance but the Sliema forward fired over.
But Sliema’s hopes were ended three minutes later when Jefferson was floored inside the area by Henrique and from the spot Gabriel Bohrer made no mistake.
Sliema kept fighting and Zarkov was at his best to keep out Jake Engerer’s shot as Gżira held on for the win.
