10-man Stripes hold Greens to 1-1 draw; impressive win for Spartans on opening day

Saturday, 19 August 2017, 05:56 Last update: about 9 years ago

Birkirkara 1

Floriana 1

Birkirkara: P. Schranz, K. Zammit, R.Camillo, R. Camenzuli, L. Verone Maia, M. Klein, J. Grech (C. Attard), L. Cremona (E. Agius), B. Fernandez, L. Montebello, GA Nilsson (W. Acevedo).

Floriana: I. Akpan, J. Baldacchino, E. Pepe, E. Ruiz, S. Pisani, C. Borg (L. Grech), I. Varela (N. Chiesa), M. Vella, J. Cabral, A. Cini, M. Fontanella.

Referee: M. Spiteri.

Asst refs: E. Spiteri, M. Borg.

4^th official: S. Pace.

Scorers: M. Fontanella, B. Fernandez.

Yellow cards: K. Zammit, L. Cremona, E. Ruiz, S. Pisani, P. Schranz.

Red cards: E. Agius,

Player of the match: M. Fontanella.

TMI Top 3: 1. M. Fontanella, 2. B. Fernandez, 3. M. Vella.

Henry Brincat

Birkirkara and Floriana started the season on a positive note as they shared a point apiece following a 1-1 draw at the Centenary Stadium.

It was a fair result considering that the Stripes were the better team in the first half and Floriana replying strongly in the second half (when they were also unlucky).

While Floriana coach Giovanni Tedesco presented a starting line-up with seven players from last season’s first team, the Stripes made a complete upheaval as coach Peter Pullicino decided on a starting line-up that did not include even one player from last season’s regular formation.

The main items of interest were the return of Ryan Camenzuli to Birkirkara and the debut of Jake Grech, formerly of Hamrun, and Llywelyn Cremona, ex-Valletta, not to mention the foreigners.

For the Greens, their main change was goalie Akpan, formerly of Birkirkara, who has taken the place of national team goalie Justin Haber, who is still without a club.

Despite the heat, the match was quite pleasing to the eye with both sides creating a number of chances apart from the goals scored. But these chances and the goals came mostly from defensive blunders which were abundant at both ends.

(Photos Domenic Aquilina)

In the first half, neither team seemed to enjoy a certain amount of superiority. Play was balanced, but the Stripes might have had a slight edge in midfield, where Cremona, Grech and Fernandez were fighting for every ball, not to mention Camenzuli who was dangerous with his runs on the left flank.

The Greens appeared to be slightly inferior in midfield, but were well served up front, where Varela and especially Fontanella and Vella, were a headache to the Birkirkara defence.

In the second half, the Stripes seemed to be a tired team and Floriana started dominating midfield. They created a sufficient number of chances, especially after Agius of Birkirkara was dismissed, but they missed a lot and Birkirkara managed to avoid defeat.

The Stripes were the first to threaten when off a Jake Grech pass, Montebello bustled his way into the Floriana area only to see his shot blocked by a defender on its way to goalie Akpan.

In the 16^th minute, goalie Apkan passed the ball to Vella who controlled badly. Jake Grech was on hand to try a 35-metre scorcher towards the untenanted Floriana goal, but the ball went wide.

It was the Greens who took the lead on the 19^th minute. From a low cross by Varela into the Stripes area, it was Martin Klein who miskicked his clearance. The ball ran kindly towards the completely unmarked Fontanella, who easily planted the ball into the net past a helpless Schranz.

Birkirkara were back on level terms five minutes later. Camenzuli indulged in a fine personal move on the left flank and crossed low into the Greens area where Bruno Fernandez controlled well before hitting home.

In the 32^nd minute, Floriana had a Cabral shot going wide while three minutes later, Stripes striker Nilsson was set by Montebello, but his shot was blocked.

The Greens went out on attack on the first hour and went close to scoring on the 51st minute. From a Pisani cross, a header by Ruiz just missed the target.

Floriana seemed to be enjoying more possession and on the hour, Birkirkara goalie Schranz covered himself with glory as he dived sideways to stop a Cabral shot destined for the back of the net.

Floriana insisted and in the 69^th minute, Fontanella had a shot hitting the upright with Schranz beaten.

Two minutes later, Birkirkara ended in 10 men after substitute Edmond Agius was shown a second yellow card.

Soon after, Vella was unlucky as his freekick was saved by Schranz with the help of the upright.

In the 87^th minute, Cabral seemed to have the winner in his pocket, but his close range header was central and easily saved by Schranz.

Near the end, it was again Cabral who missed a good chance hitting well over the bar from a good position.

Tarxien R. 1

Hamrun S. 4

Tarxien R.: A. Chetcuti, M. Spiteri (M. Desira Buttigieg), L. Grech, A. Scicluna, A. Benes, S. Cipriott (M. Brincat), E. Calin, J. Brincat, A. Agius, A. Azzopardi (M. Sladden), R. Darmanin.

Hamrun S.: J. Galea, P. Chircop, D. Zerafa, T. Agius, D. Camilleri (T. Caruana), T. Souza da Oliveira, G. De Castro (J. Galea), T. Espindola, A. Faria Machado, V. Gomes dos Santos (C. Pedro Enrique), F.M. Marino Clavero.

Referee: M. Apap.

Asst refs: CL Francalanza, P. Abela.

4^th official: G. Tonna.

Scorers: Matthew Spiteri (own goal), Marino Clavero, R. Darmanin, A. Faria Machado, C. Pedro Enrique,

Yellow cards: L. Grech, P. Chircop, S. Cipriott, M. Desira Buttigieg, A. Azzopardi

Red card: R. Darmanin

Player of the match: F. Marino Clavero.

TMI Top 3: 1. T. Souza da Silveira, 2. F. Marino Clavero, 3. A. Azzopardi.

Attendance: 1,151.

Henry Brincat

Hamrun Spartans scored an impressive 4-1 win against 10-man Tarxien Rainbows yesterday to start the season in the best possible manner.

Jacques Scerri’s side showed verve and flair as they destroyed a struggling Tarxien side. Following this win – and especially the performance – the team must look forward with optimism towards a successful season.

On the other hand, the Rainbows were never a match against stronger opponents. They will certainly have to show much better form if they are to avoid trouble in future.

Both teams had several new faces with the Spartans coach Jacques Scerri including six new foreigners in his starting line-up, most of whom left quite a good impression.

On the other hand, Tarxien coach Jose Borg only made use of two foreigners in his starting line-up, showing confidence in local talent by giving a start to nine locals.

In the first half, the Spartans were a superior outfit, dominating midfield and providing the Tarxien defence with a number of anxious moments in their area.

Tarxien were forced to defend for long stretches. They appeared to be a struggling side and never seemed to have given the Spartans any trouble before they eventually pulled a goal back near the end of the half.

In the second half, after a fiery but ineffective start by the Rainbows, the Spartans again took command and could have added more goals to their tally, before eventually sealing their win with two late goals.

Early in the match, Tarxien threatened when following a cross from the right, Luke Grech arrived a second too late to make good contact a few steps away from goal.

Hamrun went all out on attack in the opening stages and in the 13^th minute, they went very close to open the scoring. A shot by Faria Machado was cleared by goalie Chetcuti and two following shots were cleared by defenders, before the ball ended out for an abortive corner.

Hamrun did not take long to score, however. In the 17^th minute, from a Marino Clavero freekick, Tarxien defender Matthew Spiteri had the misfortune of heading into his own net.

In the 20^th minute, De Castro also went close with a neat header that just missed the post.

After that play degenerated, even if Hamrun maintained their territorial superiority as the Rainbows appeared to be unable to offer a reaction.

(Photos Domenic Aquilina)

But in the 42^nd minute, Hamrun scored a second goal. This time it was Francisco Marino Clavero who fired home an excellent freekick that gave goalie Chetcuti no chance.

A few minutes before the interval whistle, Tarxien threatened for the first time through an Ayrton Azzopardi effort that went just over the bar. And a little later, they also managed to pull back a goal, when following a corner, it was Ryan Darmanin who resolved a melee in front of the Spartans’ goal.

In the 56^th minute, the Rainbows went close to an equaliser. From an Azzopardi cross, Andrew Agius had a header blocked by goalie Galea. From the rebound, Ryan Darmanin hit wide.

Hamrun were awarded a penalty in the 63^rd minute when Gomes dos Santos was floored by Andrew Agius. But the same dos Santos saw the Tarxien goalie Chetcuti effecting a great save to deny the Spartans from re-establishing their two-goal lead.

In the 70^th minute, from a cross, Zerafa headed goalwards, but Souza de Oliveira headed over the bar from a metre out. A few minutes later, it was goalie Chetcuti who denied De Castro, diving sideways to save his freekick.

Hamrun made sure of the three points in the 79^th minute with a third goal. It was Marino Clavero who set Faria Machado and the latter made no mistake with an unstoppable shot.

And they made their victory more resounding in the 90^th minute when substitute Cortes Pedro Henrique headed home splendidly an inviting cross from Philip Chircop.

HIBERNIANS- 4

ST ANDREWS- 0

Hibernians: A. Hogg, R. Gomes, C. Failla, R. Soares, M. Dias, J. Degabriele (J. Elias), B. Kristensen, A. Agius, M. Sahanek, J. Mbong (M. Kreuzriegler), J. Lima (D. Vella)

St Andrews: M. Calleja Cremona, E. Beltre, T. Grant, A. Borg, M. Gauci, R. Martin (T. Azian), J. Farrugia, A. Friggieri (M. Grima), N. Perry, D. Jackson, K. Atkisnon

Referee: E. Grech

Asst.refs: D. Sultana, L. Portelli

4th official: T. Farrugia Cann

Scorers: C. Failla 8 pen, 76 pen, A. Agius 40, J. Lima 59

Yellow cards: R. Martin, K. Atkinson, J. Mbong

Player of the match: J. Lima (Hibernians)

TMI top 3: 1. J. Lima 2. M. Sahanek 3. J. Farrugia

Attendance: 580

Winning start for champions Hibernians

SILVIO VELLA

Champions Hibernians started their title defence in the new BoV Premier season with a comfortable win over St Andrews, with two goals in each half, including two penalties both scored by captain Clayton Failla.

It is always tempting to read too much into opening matches but in all probability these teams will be heading in opposite direction as the new campaign unfolds.

As the final scoreline suggests, Hibernians showed more verve and determination, with St Andrews seemingly slightly disjointed.

This is still work in progress for the Saints, who, still under the guidance of coach Danilo Doncic, are a completely changed side this season and their line-up yesterday showed no less than eight new faces, with Jamaicans Ricardo Martin, Degran Jackson, Nehemiah Perry and Kevaun Atkinson, as well as Canadian defender Tristan Grant. Goalkeeper Mathew Calleja Cremona, Adrian Borg and Matthew Gauci also joined the club. Only Enmy Beltre’, captain Joseph Farrugia and Aiden Friggieri survive from last season. Obviously they have still to gel as a team.

On the contrary, champions Hibernians have a familiar look about them, with Austrian Marco Sahanek their only newcomer in yesterday’s starting line-up.

New Brazilian Jorge Elias Dos Santos, who joined the Paolites to replace Jorginho, started on the bench and went in for Degabriele past the hour when Hibernians were already three goals to the good.

As expected Hibernians made a bright start and opened the scoring after only eight minutes when awarded a penalty for Martin’s foul on Dias inside the St Andrews area.

Clayton Failla took on the spot-kick responsibilities and lashed the ball past keeper Calleja Cremona to give his side the lead.

St Andrews’ best hope appeared to rest with getting men behind the ball and thwarting their opponents using the pace of Atkinson and Jackson to accelerate behind Hibernians’ high defensive line on the break.

Jackson was the first to test Hibernians keeper Hogg past the half hour.

On 36 minutes Borg rose high to head a Farrugia sailing free kick from the left, but Rui Gomes cleared into a corner.

Just as the crowds were beginning to show signs of frustration, Hibernians increased their lead five minutes before the break. Once again the goal came from a set-piece as defender Andrei Agius headed in Lima’s corner from the left despite the challenge of Beltre’.

St Andrews failed to up their play even after the restart and Hibernians could control the proceedings at their leisure. Not surprisingly, they hit a third, the best of the evening, short of the hour. Sahanek advanced down the right, sent a low cross, and with Degabriele playing the dummy, Jackson Lima ran in to blast his shot past the helpless St Andrews’ keeper.

Six minutes later Sahanek should have added another goal for the Paolites as he ran clear inside the Saints’ area, avoided the goalkeeper but shot horrendously over.

But Hibernians’ fourth goal was not long in arriving. On 76 minutes, substitute Dunstan Vella fell when he came into contact with the Saints’ defender Borg inside the area and the champions were awarded a soft penalty, the second on the night, for Clayton Failla to score again.

But St Andrews looked already dead and buried by then.

LIJA ATHLETIC - 0

GZIRA UNITED – 4

Lija A: L. Bonnici, L. Muscat, P. Borg (P. Babic), D. Scerri, E. Beu (C. Cassar), A. Borg, A. Bello Osagie, M. Clinch (A. Galea), L. Schembri, M. Dias de Souza, D. Leeflang

Gzira U: A. Curmi, Z. Scerri, A. Cohen, J. Corbolan (A. Samb), C. Gatt Baldacchino, M. Avila Perez, K. Pulo, S. Tounkara (L. Brincat), G. Muir, N. Okoye (R. Briffa), A. White

Referee: M. Degabriel

Asst.refs: D. Petrovic, T. Zammit

4th official: F. Zammit

Scorers: A. Samb 45+, 80, A. White 75, S. Tounkara 77

Yellow cards: P. Borg, J. Corbolan, M. Clinch, D. Scerri, M. Dias de Souza

Red cards: P. Borg

Player of the match: A. Samb (Gzira U)

TMI top 3: 1. A. Samb 2. G. Muir 3. A. Bello-Osagie

Samb’s debut double sinks ten-man Lija

SILVIO VELLA

This was always an uphill struggle for newcomers Lija Athletic as they fell victims to a more experienced Gzira United side in the opening day of the 2017/2018 season, when playing with a man down, after having their defender Patrick Borg sent off within the first six minutes.

Gzira struggled to make their superiority count in the opening 45 minutes and could only open the scoring on the stroke of halftime. But the Maroons were more impressive in attack in the second half as they outmuscled and outplayed their tiring opponents. Three late goals in the last quarter hour ensured their first win of the season.

Lija held on until going behind but could provide no end of bother to Gzira keeper Curmi in the second period as they found themselves pegged back and finally ran out of steam.

After winning promotion as Division 1 champions last season, Lija Athletic have made additions in a bid to strengthen their squad upon their return to the Premier League.

Brazilian Marcelo Dias de Souza and Dutch familiar face Djamel Leeflang were among the new recruits in Lija’s starting line-up yesterday. Their other foreigners were Albanian Erjon Beu and Nigerian Abubaker Bello-Osagie, whom they retained from last season.

Gzira, who had a positive previous season under coach Darren Abdilla, also made new signings, with Senegalese striker Samba Tounkara, Nigerian U/23 international Ndubisi Okoye, defender Gary Muir and Amadou Samb, all playing a part yesterday. Their most notable recruit, the former Valletta international Roderick Briffa, went in as a second half substitute, as other newcomers Nikolai Muscat, Luca Brincat and Chris Sammut sat on the bench.

Tounkara scored for Gzira upon his debut. Samb struck twice and Okoye will look back at the chances he had in this game and wonder how he failed to get on to the scoresheet.

But for all the new signings on show, the match produced a characteristically ineffective start.

The first noteworthy episode brought the season’s first sending off. Lija’s captain and central defender Patrick Borg was booked after hardly three minutes play and three minutes later he was dismissed for collecting another yellow card after committing his second bookable offence.

That sending off might have interrupted Lija’s initial plans. Coach Joseph Galea pulled off forward Lee Schembri and introduced Predrag Babic in defence.

Gzira , inexorably, began to control the pace and dominating possession but Lija keeper Luke Bonnici was not exactly overworked.

The Maroons spent much of the time shifting the ball rather pointlessly.

Muir’s run down the right after 12 minutes, presented Okoye with an inviting cross but the Nigerian shot wide.

Ten-man Lija were increasingly reliant on the pace and power of Bello Osagie to create any kind of opening.

He proved menacing on 18 minutes with his shot from the edge of the Gzira area which keeper Curmi tipped over the bar into a corner. Osagie’s powerful shot from the left flashed across the Gzira goal towards the half hour.

But when Gzira looked struggling to exploit their numerical superiority, with Lija staying composed and organised, substitute Amadou Samb, who had gone in only two minutes earlier for Corbolan, rose high to head in Pulo’s cross from the left, to give the Maroons the lead deep into two minutes of the half’s added time.

In the second half Gzira were finding it more easy making inroads down the flanks. On a Samb cross from the right, Okoye headed slightly over. Then a Cohen grounder was held out by keeper Bonnici with some difficulty. Gzira started to put more faith in crossing and Lija looked likely to wilt under the pressure and heat.

That happened on 75 minutes. Samb’s goalbound header, on yet another Muir cross from the right, was blocked on the line by Lija defender Cassar. From the ensuing Cohen corner, keeper Bonnici fisted out the ball that fell to Andre White to hit in with a low strike.

Gzira increased their lead two minutes later. Substitute Briffa lobbed the ball forward for Samba Tounkara to chest, outplay the onrushing keeper and steer the ball in.

And with ten minutes remaining, Lija collapsed to concede the fourth, Amadou Samb again being the scorer, after allowed time and space to chest the ball inside the Lija area before hitting low past the hapless keeper Bonnici.