VALLETTA 2
SLIEMA WANDERERS 1
A great goal by Roderick Briffa in the 83rd minute gave Valletta all the three points from their difficult clash against Sliema yesterday evening.
After a first half which finished 1-1, Briffa’s stunner was the only real highlight of a rather poor second half performance by both teams as both goalies were never tested sersiouly.
The defending champions were made to fight hard for the three points as Sliema provided very stiff opposition despite failing to create much in the City area.
The citizens could not make use of central defender Jonathan Caruana and striker Falcone, both still ruled out through injury, but coach Paul Zammit included newcomers Santiago Malano and Leandro Aguirre.
On the other hand, Sliema new coach John Buttigieg included three new faces in their starting lineup – Giuseppe Sarao, Roger de Souza Vilas Boas and Milos Galin.
In an unimpressive first half, Valletta had a good start and quickly took the lead, but they failed to keep their momentum and allowed Sliema to claw back, eventually getting the equaliser albeit from an unfortunate Ryan Camilleri own goal.
During those first 45 minutes, play never reached any great heights as neither Valletta, nor Sliema managed to create much in the respective areas as chances were few and far between.
In the second half, play degenerated as both defences prevailed over the respective forward lines.
It became a rather boring encounter with no effective shots at goal until Roderick Briffa produced that stunning goal near the end which gave City all the three points.
Valletta quickly took the initiative and it was no surprise that they took the lead on the 9th minute. From a Steve Borg cross, Sliema’s defence failed to clear and L. Cremona went in from the blind side to head home from close in.
Sliema’s reply arrived in the 15th minute. From a Mintoff cross, the ball was cleared badly by a Valletta defender, but Muchardi lifted the ball well over the bar from the edge of the area.
Sliema equalised in the 34th minute. Gary Muir’s freekick was headed forward by Muchardi and the ball appeared to have hit the unfortunate Ryan Camilleri on its way into the net.
Valletta had a good chance to take the lead again on the 38th minute. Mifsud advanced into the Sliema area to cross low for the unmarked Malano, but the Argentine player hit wide.
In first half added time, Galin missed a sitter for Sliema as he missed the ball from a good Muir cross.
Soon after the start of the second half, Roderick Briffa tried his luck from about 20 metres, but the ball went well wide of the target.
In the 52nd minute, Sliema replied with a Peter Xuereb central header easily saved by goalie Bonello following a Mintoff cornerkick.
In the 63rd minute, Bonello had to rush out of his charge to dive at the feet of the advancing Muchardi, following which, it was Pani who drove wildly out from around 30 metres.
In the 78th minute, from a Briffa cross, substitute Calistus saw his header saved by Sliema goalie Giuseppe Sarao.
Valletta regained the lead in the 83rd minute. From a Pani cross from the left, the ball was cleared out to Roderick Briffa who scored a beauty with a great first timer into the top corner.
Sliema ended up in 10 men in added time as midfielder Mark Scerri received marching orders from referee Farrugia following a second yellow card.
Valletta: H. Bonello, S. Borg, R. Camilleri, J.Gill Cruz, S. Malano (R. Romeo), M. Mifsud (J. Borg), R. Briffa, L. Cremona (U. Calistus), C. Pani, L. Aguirre, J.Benites.
Sliema W.: G. Sarao, A. Muscat, M. Muchardi, R. De Souza Vilas Boas, J. Mintoff (JP Farrugia), M. Scerri, M. Galin, G. Aquilina (M. Sansone), P. Xuereb, G. Muir, S. Bianciardi.
Referee: P. Farrugia.
Asst refs: D. Sultana, M. Borg.
4th official: F. Zammit.
Scorers: L. Cremona, R. Camilleri o.g.,
Yellow cards: M. Galin, P. Xuereb, M. Mifsud, J. Gill Cruz, U. Calistus,
Red card: M. Scerri
Player of the match: R. Briffa.
TMI Top 3: 1. M. Muchardi, 2. R. Briffa, 3. J. Mintoff.
Attendance: 919
BIRKIRKARA 4
ST ANDREWS 0
SILVIO VELLA
An early goal by debutant Srdan Dimitrov and three late strikes by substitutes Edward Herrera and James Brincat as well as Ryan Scicluna, provided Birkirkara with a cruising victory against St Andrews for a promising start to the new season.
Birkirkara were impressive in the first half when they played with intensity, precision and width. Although it took them some time to kill off their inferior opponents, they were able to show their true pedigree that makes them one of the title contenders.
Some notable absentees for them, like Marcelina, Edmond Agius, Shaun Bajada and Rowen Muscat, forced coach Besek to shuffle his team, with Pedrag Jovic and Christian Bubalovic as the two central defenders. Andelkovic played in a retreated role in front of the defence. Djordevic and Plut played in attack, supported by other debutant Srdan Dimitrov behind them.
St Andrews rarely got going in midfield despite the presence of Joseph Farrugia and Nenad Belacevic. Their defence was badly embarrassed on Birkirkara’s crosses or whenever the Stripes’ wide players cut towards the middle.
The Saints paraded three new foreigners, tall central defender Karlo Kesinovic, left back Felix Udoh and Serbian midfielder Belacevic, in their starting line-up, together with their two local recruits Godwin McKay and Ryan Darmanin. Daniel Barndle and Ivan Paz were also given their debut as a second half substitutes.
It was perhaps expected that they lacked complete cohesion and struggled to control the tempo in a first half where they played predominantly on the counterattack.
In contrast, Birkirkara appeared more comfortable on the ball, with swift buil-ups from midfield, although neither goalkeeper was severely tested in the early stages.
Birkirkara had a double effort by Scicluna, the first was blocked but he skied the rebound, until the Stripes made the breakthrough on the quarter hour.
Srdan Dimitrov connected well to Attard’s cross from the right and headed past the Saints’ keeper Galea.
Dimitrov almost doubled Birkirkara’s lead four minutes later. His shot went fractionally wide on a Plut pass.
Plut also had an effort blocked into a cornerand keeper Galea kept St Andrew into the game when he twice in succession denied Bubalovic, after Dimitrov had sent a low cross inside the area.
Before halftime, a rasping Jovic shot was parried with some difficulty by keeper Galea.
Despite bossing the game Birkirkara’s lead remained slender and St Andrews began to wrestle the momentum after the interval.
But Birkirkara remained menacing when a Dimitrov meaty free kick was turned around the post by the outstretched keeper into a corner.
Birkirkara held to possession as St Andrews looked bereft of ideas. Frustration grew among the Birkirkara supporters when the second goal failed to come though.
They almost sent the match to bed on 73 minutes, with another Dimitrov free kick that clipped the bar.
St Andrews went closest in the late stages with a Brandle effort footed out by Birkirkara keeper Kopric before the sucker punch saw Birkirkara score three times in the last eight minutes to make the points safe.
Plut was twice the provider of low crosses from the right, beating the fragile St Andrews rearguard for Edward Herrera and then Ryan Scicluna to finish off with relative ease.
And other substitute James Brincat celebrated his debut with a fourth goal in added time, as he picked up the rebound after keeper Galea had parried Sciclunas’ first effort.
Birkirkara: M. Kopric, C. Bubalovic, G. Sciberras, S. Dimitrov (J. Brincat), D. Djordevic (E. Herrera), V. Plut, J. Zerafa, R. Scicluna, C. Attard, P. Jovic, M. Andelkovic (M. Guillaumier)
St Andrews: J. Galea, M. Johnson, K. Kesinovic, B. Che, F. Udoh, G. McKay (D. Brandle), D. Camilleri (I. Paz), J. Farrugia, N. Belacevic, K. Nwoko, R. Darmanin (J. Walker)
Referee: G. Tonna
Asst.refs: M. Scerri, P. Abela
4th official: M. Spiteri
Scorers: S. Dimitrov 15, E. Herrera 82, R. Scicluna 84, J. Brincat 90+
Yellow cards: G.McKay
Player of the match: S. Dimitrov (Birkirkara)
TMI top 3: S. Dimitrov 2. D. Djordjevic 3. J. Galea
HIBERNIANS 1
HAMRUN SPARTANS 3
SILVIO VELLA
Hamrun Spartans played with purpose and deservedly beat Hibernains thanks to a first half goal by their best player Jake Grech and a brace by new signing Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza in the second.
The Spartans could hardly have made a more promising start.
They were in strong voice yesteday at the Hibernains Stadium, with hope renewed after making their return to the Premier League.
Hibernains carried little threat until late in the first half after they fell in arrears. They struggled to level matters after teh restart, thanks to an own gaol by Texeira, and then surrendered to two late goals to end the matcxh in tatters.
The Spartans strengthened their squad by including Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza as their spearhead in attack and Luke Sciberras in front of the defence. Yesterday they gave starts to foreigners Patrick Texeira Maia and Saturday Nanapere to help their youngsters brothers Jake and Luke Grech, Glenn Azzopardi and Ryan Spiteri.
Hibernians also had a new look about them as they parted company with Jorginho, Jorge Silva and Gilmar Ribeiro. These were replaced by Renan Pimenta Telles and Juan Manuel Varea. The former started the match, the latter went in as a substitute.
The Paolites, under new coach Mark Miller, gave starts to Timothy Tabone Desira, Johann Bezzina and Joseph Mbong. Goalkeeper Andrew Hogg mad his debut for Hibernains, replacing Justin Haber.
Hibernains spurned some early chances but Hamrun made a confident start. There were some dicey moments in the Hamrun box as Hibernains pressed for an opener.
Past the half hour Hamrun keeper David Cassar brought the house down with a smart save off Kristensen’s firm header from a corner.
The goal came on the other end though. On 36 minutes, Hamrun captain Jake Grech took the ball in his stride and beat keeper Hogg at the top corner with a swerving kick from some 25 metres out.
If many thought the Spartans deserved their lead at that juncture, they were very lucky not to concede Hibernains’ draw towards halftime. Dias’ drilling shot from a distance had the keeper beaten but the ball rebounded off the underside of the bar and went in play.
Hibernians’ composure increased and a decent spell followed in the second half but they failed to find a way through the Spartans’ crowded defence.
Hibernains introduced Jurgen Degabriele towards the hour.
There was a flurry of half chances then. Nanapere failed to conclude from isnide the Hibernains area when surrounded by several players. On the other end, Failla’s powerful drive was repelled by the alert keeeper Cassar before Hibernains drew level on 66 minutes. From Kristensen’s cross shot, following a short Lima corner, the ball took a deflection of Texeira and beat Cassar.
The draw lasted only five minutes though. On a Jake Grech free kick from outside the area, Jean Paul Mifsud Triganza flicked the ball with his head past the stranded keeper Hogg for the Spartans to retain their lead.
Hibernians drafted in Andrew Cohen for the last quarter hour but he failed to make an impact.
In fact Hamrun deservedly scored their third two minutes from time. Nanapere’s splitting pass beat the Hibernians offside trap for Jake Grech to advance, play a square pass to the unmarked Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza to hit past Hogg.
Hibernians: A. Hogg, R. Soares, M. Dias, J. Lima, B. Krsitensen, C. Failla, R. Pimenta Telles, J. Bezzina (A. Cohen), J. Mbong (J. Degabriele), T. Tabone Desira (J. Varea), A. Agius
Hamrun S: D. Cassar, P. Chircop, G. Azzopardi, M.A. Borg, J.P. Mifsud Triganza (M. Siminiana), L. Sciberras, L. Grech, P. Teixeira Maia, J. Grech, R. Spiteri (T. Cilia), S. Nanapere
Referee: C. Pisani
Asst.refs: E. Spiteri,C. Francalanza
4th official: T. Farrugia Cann
Scorers: J. Grech 36, P. Texeira Maia og 66, J.P. Mifsud Triganza 71, 87
Yellow cards: J. Bezzina, R. Spiteri, A. Agius, J. Mbong, S. Nanapere
Player of the match: J. Grech (Hamrun S)
TMI top 3: 1. J. Grech 2. D. Cassar 3. R. Soares
Attendance:1052
Gzira Utd 1
Tarxien R 1
Premier newcomers Gzira United started the season on a positive note yesterday as they forced a 1-1 draw after a second half comeback against Tarxien Rainbows.
In the first half, neither side dominated, even if Tarxien saw more of the ball.
Gzira, however, had the best chance, but failed to take advantage and Tarxien survived.
Not only, but they also managed to take the lead on the stroke of half time following a Ponce solo action.
And taking everything into consideration, they deserved their lead as they showed the better ideas with Da Paixao on the right flank, and Oliveira Santos, on the left, giving their direct opponents a hectic time.
In the second half, Gzira showed more determination and enjoyed territorial advantage, but they failed to create clearcut chances until they finally scored near the end.
On the other hand, Tarxien were well in command at the back and were also quite dangerous in their fewer counter attacks though they failed to capitalise on the chances which came their way. At the end they paid for their lapses.
The first action worthy of note arrived in the 8th minute, a Daniel Ponce shot going over the Gzira post.
In the 16th minute, Gzira nearly opened the score. From a Ledesma freekick, it was De Souza who had a good header saved by Cassar. The rebound fell into a Gzira player’s path, but his shot was blocked. A third attempt, however, went well over the bar.
In the 31st minute, Tarxien had another attempt at goal, this time through Oliveira Santos, but his effort went wide.
At the other end, two minutes later, a Ledesma freekick was punched away to safety by goalie Cassar.
On 37 minutes, Ayrton Azzopardi tried his luck from just outside the area, but goalie Borg was not surprised and saved with ease.
The Rainbows insisted on attack and two minutes later, Oliveira Santos went close with a fine dipper that just missed the crossbar.
In the 41st minute, from a Kurt Zammit pass, it was Nilsson who saw his overhead kick hitting the side rigging.
In added time, Tarxien managed to break the deadlock when Ponce was involved in a solo action and his shot from the edge of the area beat goalkeeper Borg to give his side what appeared to be a deserved lead.
Soon after the start of the second half, Ledesma saw his freekick going over the bar.
Oliveira Santos crossed low into the area, but Nilsson hit badly and wide from an ideal position.
In the 62nd minute, Gzira almost equalised. From a Ledesma cornerkick, it was Diamoutene who headed just wide.
In the 78th minute, Tarxien again went close to score a second goal. It was Gzira goalie Borg who saved a close range effort from Nilsson.
Immediately after, at the other end, a Ledesma freekick was fumbled by the Tarxien goalie and it was Daniel Zerafa who cleared to safety from near the goal line.
Gzira obtained their equaliser in the 90th minute. From a Ledesma cornerkick, it was Antonio Machedo Neto who headed home, giving goalie Cassar no chance.
At the end, it was a fair result.
Gzira U.: J. Borg, J. Da Silva Santos (J. Nwoba), G. Conti, R. Ledesma, C. Gatt Baldacchino (D. Falzon), M. Avila Perez, J. Borg, S. Diamoutene, A. Machedo Neto, Y. Tonna (K. Pulo), R. De Souza.
Tarxien R.: A. Cassar, E. Baker, T. Caruana, D. Ponce (E. Nkene), A. Nilsson, A. Azzopardi, S. Fernandez Prendes, D. Zerafa, A. Da Paixao Alves, JP Oliveira Santos, K. Zammit.
Referee: A. Mario Sant.
Asst refs: A. Camilleri, R. Vella.
4th official: S. Pace.
Scorers: D. Ponce, A. Machedo Neto
Yellow cards: S. Fernandez Prendes, Y. Tonna, A. Oliveira Santos, M. Avila Perez, K. Zammit
Player of the match: JP Oliveira Santos
TMI Top 3: 1. JP Oliveira Santos, 2. D. Ponce, 3. S. Diamoutene.
Photos Birkirkara-St Andrews, Hibs-Hamrun: Domenic Aquilina