Sliema W.: M. Akanji, J. Brincat (A. Muscat), M. DiLello, B. Said, N. Turner (J. Farrugia), D. Bogdanovic, D. Doncic, J. Chetcuti, I. Woods (A. Mifsud), O. Anonam, S. Giglio.
Sheriff Tiraspol: S. Hutan, S. Tassembedo, I. Testemitanu (V. Dinu), V. Tarkhnishvili, G. Florescu, A. Kuchuk, BI Derme, M. Ionescu (R. Goginashvili), A. Epureanu (I. Gnanou), R. Cocis, F. Lacusta.
Referee: M. Ross (N. Ireland)
Ass Refs: D. Todd, A. Hunter, 4th official: D. Malcolm
Scorers: A. Epureanu 2, A. Kuchuk, G. Florescu, D. Bogdanovic,
Yellow cards: J. Brincat, D. Bogdanovic, R. Goginashvili, S. Giglio
Sliema started their adventure this year with a lot of optimism but at the end of the first half – the second will be played next week in Moldova – it was all over after a heavy 1-4 home defeat yesterday evening.
It was once again sheer evidence of how far we lag behind other European nations as the night finished in disappointment for the local champions, beaten easily.
The Blues were well aware of the task that faced them. But having missed a glorious early chance and having also suffered an early goal soon after, their task became even more difficult.
The Moldovans were definitely a superior outfit, their ball control and their long passes a delight to watch. But they only appeared so good because Sliema committed so many mistakes in midfield and at the back.
Sliema had the better start and it appeared as if the Wanderers were again on form. But after missing a gilt-edged chance to open the scoring, they fell to pieces as Sheriff made the most of some defensive lapses which procured the two goals with which the Moldovans led at the interval.
Apart from that missed open chance by Bogdanovic, Sliema never really troubled the Moldovan goalie. The visitors, in fact, were in control, both in midfield and at the back. They launched several attacks insisting on the right flank where Cocis appeared to be too hot to handle for DiLello who was apparently in difficulty against such a speedy opponent.
After an encouraging start, Sliema should have opened the scoring on eight minutes. On a long Giglio ball, the goalie hesitated. Bogdanovic anticipated him and went past him, only to do the impossible and hit the upright with an untenanted net. We certainly cannot afford to miss such chances if we are to succeed.
The Wanderers paid dearly for this lapse as on 20 minutes, the Moldovans took an unexpected lead. A Testemitanu freekick found the Sliema defence unprepared and Derme moved the ball forward to Epureanu who easily flicked it past the helpless Akanji.
Five minutes later, Sheriff scored again and what a goal it was! Cocis sold the dummy to DiLello and advanced on the left flank to cross low into the area for Kuchuk to hit first-time into the roof of the net.
After this second goal, Sliema seemed to have been demoralised and Sheriff appeared to be in command. But they had to wait till the 37th minute for another opening, although this time, Lacusta’s hard shot was well saved by Akanji.
Soon after the start of the second half, on 50 minutes, Sheriff scored a third goal. DiLello did his best to stop Florescu but the Romanian still managed to control the ball and kick it into the net.
Sheriff maintained their superiority and on 55 minutes, they went close to adding a fourth goal when off a Kuchuk cross, Cocis headed just wide.
The score became 4-0 on 61 minutes when Epureanu anticipated Akanji, who misjudged the flight of the ball, to head into an empty net.
Sliema were at sixes and sevens and soon after substitute Goginashvili almost made it 5-0 but his header went just over.
The nearest Sliema came to scoring was on 70 minutes when Giglio had an angled shot deviated to corner.
A minute later, however, Bogdanovic pulled one back as he turned in a fine inswinger from the edge of the area which beat the goalie completely.
On 74 minutes, Akanji rushed out desperately to block on Kuchuk, thus avoiding a fifth goal.
At the other end, Bogdanovic was shown a yellow card for simulation when he fell in the area when on the point of shooting at goal.
On 80 minutes, Bogdanovic set Doncic in the Moldovan area, but the Serbian striker controlled badly and goalie Hutan could rush out to clear the ball away.
Two minutes from full time, Sliema were lucky not to suffer another goal when first Brian Said cleared from near the line and then Goginashvili had a shot destined to the back of the net blocked by Chetcuti to an abortive corner.
In added time it was Akanji again who distinguished himself between the posts saving a close range effort from the dangerous Kuchuk who had raced upfield past Chetcuti.