Sliema and Birkirkara both registered wins on the opening day of the tournament at the Hibernians Ground yesterday.

In the first match, Sliema Wanderers beat Msida St Joseph comfortably 3-0 while in the second match, Birkirkara beat Pieta Hotspurs 3-2.

Montenegro striker Aleksander Madzar struck twice and Orosco Anonam added aother one as Sliema beat Msida SJ 3-0 in the opening match, after leading 1-0 at the interval.

The Blues took the lead early through Anonam and Madzar was on target twice in the second half as they overpowered Msida.

In the second match, the Stripes led 2-0 at the interval with goals from trialist Boris Sandjo and Lee Lombardi.

Pieta reduced the arrears soon after the start of the second half, but Birkirkara put paid to their hopes of salvaging a draw when Michael Galea score the third three minutes from the end. For a second time, however, Pieta reduced the gap in added injury time through a Martin Deanov penalty.

The tournament continues tomorrow with another two matches. At 6pm, Sliema will be meeting Birkirkara while Msida SJ take on Pieta Hotspurs at 8pm.

Hibernians are not taking part in this tournament. Usually they host such an event, but due to the fact that several of their players are away from the island on national team duty (seniors and Under 21 squads), they could not take part.