Rabat hold on to earn point against Naxxar

The depleted Rabat side held on to earn a point against a stronger Naxxar side.

Rabat managed to take the lead on the 38th minute. A pass by Ryan Micallef to Malcolm Licari, was deflected by a defender, but the ball still managed to go towards Licari and the latter easily beat goalkeeper Julian Azzopardi with his shot.

Naxxar came close to scoring minutes before the first half ended. Angus Buhagiar served Terence Scerri who then had his powerful shot scrape past the post.

Rabat went close to scoring on the 45th minute when off a freekick by Wayne Borg, Malcolm Licari's headed the ball just wide.

Naxxar lost a great chance to equalise in added time when they were awarded a penalty. Patrick Borg handled the ball inside the area and referee Alan Mario Sant immediately pointed to the penalty spot. Andre Rocha da Silva failed to score from the penalty spot when goalkeeper Pavle Velimirovic made a brilliant save.

At the start of the second half, Naxxar continued to dominate the match, but Rabat were putting in a great performance to keep them neutralised.

The match turned for the worse for Rabat as they had a player sent off on the 82nd minute. Zachary Tanti received a second yellow card for a fould just outside the area.

With a man down, Naxxar had more control of the match and managed to score the equaliser on the 86th minute. Off a cross by Raimi Bakare, Terence Scerri beat goalkeeper Pavle Velimirovic with a powerful shot from close range.

Naxxar gained more confidence and almost scored the winning goal on the 90th minute when a fine header by Terence Scerri was held on the goal line by goalkeeper Pavle Velimirovic.

RABAT AJAX Pavle Velimirovic, Shaun Gauci, Zachary Tanti, Patrick Borg, Ivan Carapic, Joeph Caruana, Wayne Borg, Sorin Oproiescu, Malcolm Licari, Ryan Micallef, Chris Vella (90+2′ Sacha Cortis).
Subs not used: Jonathan Azzopardi, Stefan Cortis, Etienne Scicluna, Nicolai Caruana, Darren Borg, Sean Abela.
Coach: Steve D'Amato

NAXXAR LIONS Julian Azzopardi, Raimi Bakare, Duane Bonnici (79′ Jurgen Debono), Angus Buhagiar, Ryan Gilmour Cassar (46′ Daren Falzon), Andrew Decesare, Thiago Lopes de Sousa, David Alejandro Reano, Andre Rocha da Silva, Terence Scerri, Filip Stojanovic (46′ Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro).
Subs not used: Luke Pecorella, John Debono, Ryan Mercieca, Yaron Sammut.
Coach: Winston Muscat

Referee: Alan Mario Sant
Assistant Referees: Mitchell Scerri, Paul Apap
Fourth Official: Philip Farrugia
Yellow Cards: Tanti, Gilmar
Red Cards: 82′ Zachary Tanti
Scorers: 38′ Malcolm Licari (R); 86′ Terence Scerri (N)
BOV Player of the Match: Malcolm Licari