Munxar score a dramatic equaliser to earn first point

24 September 2022

GFA 2nd Division Challenge Cup (MD 3) Kercem Arkafort Stadium

Munxar score a dramatic equaliser to earn first point

Munxar Falcons FC : 3

Gharb Rangers FC : 3

6’ (0-1) penalty Joao Pablo Soares De Souza

20’ (0-2) Gabriel Debrincat

29’ (1-2) o.g. Nicholas Attard

40’ (1-3) Christian Cardona

53’ (2-3) Henry Fabian Solis

89’ (3-3) Henry Fabian Solis

90+2’ (red card) Paul Parnis (MF)

Munxar F:

D. Galea, C. Gafa’, J.P. Grima (G. Sillato), A. Buttigieg, R. Meilak, M. Debrincat, S. Farrugia (P. Parnis), H.F. Solis, B. Said, S. Muscat, K. Mizzi (T. Axiak).

Gharb R:

J.P. Cassar, M. Ciangura, J. Agius, C. Cutajar, C. Cardona, G. Debrincat, R. Portelli, A. Cini (J. Xerri), O. Calleja, N. Attard, J.P. Soares De Souza.

In the last match from Match Day 3 of the Challenge Cup for the second division Munxar Falcons and Gharb Rangers earned a point each from a draw of six goals but with this result the two teams were mathematically eliminated from the possibility to keep hoping to win one of the top two place on the table.  At the same time the outcome of this encounter confirmed that SK Victoria Wanderers and Xaghra United would be contesting the final as the two teams cannot be reached from the remaining matches of the round robin.

The match was quite interesting as Gharb were very effective during the first half and took the break with a two-goal lead.  However, Munxar had a strong reaction after the break and recovered the deficit with an equaliser scored one minute from the end of regular time.  This was Munxar’s first point in the competition which give them the chance to avoid the last place on the table at the end of the round robin phase.

Timeline:

The two sides came out very aggressive as they both were aiming to take the lead.  However, Gharb capitalised better from their chances and ended the first half with a deserved lead.

5’ (0-1) penalty Gharb were awarded a penalty for a foul by Chris Gafa on Gabriel Debrincat and Joao Pedro Soares De Souza opened the score with his shot from the spot kick.

11’ Munxar replied through a good shot by Samwel Muscat that was well saved by goalie John Paul Cassar.

14’ Gharb were again dangerous but a lob by Gabriel Debrincat following a counter break ended on the roof of the net.

20’ (0-2) The Rangers doubled the score with a fine shot from an angled position by Gabriel Debrincat.

29’ (1-2) Munxar managed to re-open the issued when they reduced the score with a goal that arrived through an initiative on the left flank by Henry Fabian Solis.  The striker delivered a cross inside Gharb’s area, Brandon Said headed badly but central defender Nicholas Attard hit badly in an attempt to pass to his keeper and the ball ended inside his net.

40’ (1-3) Gharb however regained the two-goal lead with a goal that arrived through a long ranged shot from long distance by Christian Cardona that surprised Munxar’s goalie.

43’ Munxar were again dangerous but an attempt from a free kick by Henry Fabian Solis missed the target.

HT (1-3)

Second Half

Munxar came out determined to recover the score.  They managed to re-open the issue but as time passed by Gharb seemed in a position to control their lead.  As a result the match did not produce many scoring opportunities at the two ends of the field of play. Munxar however managed to clinch a dramatic equaliser with a goal that arrived during the dying moments of the encounter.

8’ (2-3) Munxar scored their second goal when Gharb’s keeper John Paul Cassar partially saved a shot from outside the area by Stefan Farrugia and from the rebound Samwel Muscat delivered a low cross towards the goalmouth so that Henry Fabian Solis followed the action and fired in goal from close distance.

31’ Gharb could have re-established their lead but an attempt from a free kick by Christian Cardona was well saved by Munxar’s goalie Daniel Galea.

32’ Munxar replied with a header from a good position by Brandon Said that ended just wide.

44’ (3-3) The Falcons saved the result when Samwel Muscat released Henry Fabian Solis within Gharb’s territory and the striker deposited in goa with a low drive as the goalkeeper left his position in an attempt to block the danger.

45+2’ (red card) Munxar ended the match on a negative note as substitute Paul Parnis was sent off for a foul in the midfield on Gharb’s Carlos Cutajar.

FT (MF 3 – GR 3)

Referee: Patrick Falzon