League

Sputnik
Spectators: 8500 (Terracing: 6376, Seating: 1955, VIP seats: 169) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Marco Van Huytvenne took the kick off in the first half of the match. If Nathan Bongailas had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 6th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. With a little luck, Gzira United's Tony Dougall got control of the ball when Nathan Bongailas tried to sneak it across the goal line. After some fancy dribbling in the 11th minute, Nathan Bongailas managed to get in a good position for a shot. Sputnik VII's supporters rose to their feet, but Nathan Bongailas was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Tony Dougall breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. After a defensive mix-up in Gzira United's zone, Nathan Bongailas stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Tony Dougall came out of the goal and Nathan Bongailas tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. With a little luck, Gzira United's Tony Dougall got control of the ball when Nathan Bongailas tried to sneak it across the goal line. Sputnik VII's Kyle Stafrace got a good chance for a goal in the 25th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Marco Van Huytvenne sent away a hard shot on goal in the 27th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 29th minute, Ryan Ghigo made a precise shot to the right of Toivo Puistola. Sputnik VII's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-1. Tony Dougall made a fantastic save in the 31st minute, when Nathan Bongailas sent off a good shot on target. In the 36th match minute, Sputnik VII was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Carl Musumeci to maneuver through the defense. With a little luck, Gzira United's Tony Dougall got control of the ball when Nathan Bongailas tried to sneak it across the goal line. Sputnik VII's Kyle Stafrace got a good chance for a goal in the 40th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Nathan Bongailas received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 41st minute. Tony Dougall tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Marco Van Huytvenne sent away a hard shot on goal in the 44th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 47thth minute of the game Marco Van Huytvenne who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Sputnik VII's Toivo Puistola was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-1 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Kyle Stafrace was the one to do the kick off. Kyle Stafrace sent away a hard shot on goal in the 53rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Nathan Bongailas recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 56th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After 59 minutes, Ryan Ghigo mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Gzira United and the Sputnik VII players grew even worse after the yellow card. Ryan Ghigo hit a great freekick 59 minutes into the match. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Matt Catania during the 62nd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 63rd match minute, Gzira United was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Matt Catania to maneuver through the defense. In the 64th minute of the match John Gulia sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Tony Dougall skillfully saved the ball. The supporters of Sputnik VII booed when Gzira United was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 70 match minutes in a wonderful position. Julian Rizzo didn't get a good kick on the ball. John Tufignio sent away a hard shot on goal in the 72nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. A collision led to Sputnik VII getting a freekick after 74 minutes play. Carl Musumeci hit a great ball. In the 76th minute, Marco Van Huytvenne got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. In the last second Toivo Puistola throw himself and got hold of the ball when Marco Van Huytvenne in the 78thth minute from his position got away a shot towards the right post. Nathan Bongailas sent away a hard shot on goal in the 79th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. John Tufignio might have been able to make a better finish in the 83rd minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Tony Dougall. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. John Tufignio ran back to his position shaking his head. Nathan Bongailas's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Tony Dougall read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 89th minute of play. Tony Dougall showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Nathan Bongailas, who was totally free with the ball in the 93rd minute. After a defensive mix-up in Sputnik VII's zone, Claudio Miggiani stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Toivo Puistola came out of the goal and Claudio Miggiani tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Gzira United's supporters were very happy and cheered loudly because their team had won after a very close match.