Sliema W.: M. Akanji, J. Brincat (J. Farrugia), M. DiLello, B. Said, N. Turner, D. Bogdanovic, D. Doncic (A. Mifsud), J. Chetcuti, I. Woods, O. Anonam(A. Muscat), S. Giglio.
Birkirkara: I. Casha, MA Bonnici, L. Galea, R. Sammut, W. Camenzuli, M. Calascione, E. Barbara, R. Briffa, C. Micallef (M. Anastasi), K. Scicluna, A. Ciantar (E. Yanchev).
Referee: C. Lautier. Asst refs: K. Borg, A. Camilleri. 4th official: P. Caruana.
Scorers: D. Bogdanovic, B. Said,
Yellow cards: J. Brincat, MA Bonnici, DiLello, L. Galea, D. Bogdanovic
Sliema Wanderers started the season on a positive note yesterday as they scored an emphatic 3-0 win over rivals Birkirkara in an entertaining match.
It was a merited victory for a superior Sliema, even though Birkirkara gave a good account of themselves - except for the result - considering they had a host of players missing.
Italian defender Mauro DiLello made his debut for Sliema but Slovenian Lubos Pernis was missing and young Alex Muscat was on the substitutes’ bench. Daniel Bogdanovic was returning to the side after his spell at Marsaxlokk and Ghajnsielem.
On the other hand, for the first time in several years, Birkirkara fielded an all-Maltese line-up, though in the next match, they are sure to include new arrivals Gomes from Portugal and Yanchev from Bulgaria, who made a short appearance yesterday as a substitute. But they still had Justin Haber, Michael Galea, George Mallia and Antoine Zahra, not to mention Chucks Nwoko missing from their line-up.
Sliema quickly took the game in their hands and they took the lead after just five minutes. From an Anonam cross, it was Woods who headed goalwards. Casha fumbled the ball and from the melee that ensued, Bogdanovic had the last laugh as he scored with an untenanted net.
Soon after at the other end, Barbara outsped the Sliema defence, but Akanji came to Sliema’s rescue with a daring save at the Stripes striker’s feet. And on 11 minutes, off a good Bonnici pass, Briffa’s first timer went wide.
On 22 minutes, Bogdanovic missed an incredible sitter and on 34 minutes, Birkirkara were awarded a harsh penalty when Calascione fell in the area when tackled by DiLello. Justice was done as William Camenzuli’s 11-metre effort was well saved by Akanji.
At the other end, Brincat also missed an easy opportunity when put through by Woods. He hit wide with only Casha to beat.
Just before the interval, a Ciantar freekick brought the best out of Akanji who flew sideways to turn to corner with great difficulty.
Sliema remained slightly superior on the change of ends and after Woods hit an upright, and Camenzuli saw his first-timer going wide, the champions added a second goal on 73 minutes. A Doncic cross was punched out badly by Casha and Brian Said intelligently lobbed over friend and foe to score in an untenanted net.
In added time, Sliema added a third goal through Ivan Woods who converted a penalty after goalie Casha floored Adrian Mifsud in the area.
The Stripes now face Hibernians in tomorrow’s second match.