Tarxien R-Msida SJ 1-1
Tarxien R – D. Cassar, S. Sadowski, M. Caruana, D. Camilleri, G. Calabretta (J. Shead), A.P. Everton, A.M. Ribeiro, L. Vella Critien, D. Rocha Dos Santos, L. Galea, K. Magro (M. Tanti)
Msida SJ – M. Bartolo, S. Grima, R. Baldacchino, C. Sciberras, T. Farrugia, K. Mifsud (A. Spiteri), O. Aganun, Z. Levniac, A. Farrugia, E. Lattes, K. Ebejer (A. Formosa).
Referee – A. Casha. Ass. Referees – I. Spiteri, A. Camilleri, 4th Official S. Tanti
Scorers – A. Rocha Dos Santos, O. Aganun, Everton,
Yellow cards – Z. Levniac, M. Bartolo, R. Baldacchino,
Player of the match – Denni Rocha Dos Santos (Tarxien R)
TMI best three – 1. D. Rocha Dos Santos 2. E. Lattes 3. G. Calabretta
Tarxien and Msida confirmed their recent good showings when they figured in a 1-1 draw in an interesting and balanced match.
Tarxien did the early running, dominating the first hour of the match and deservedly building a one-goal lead. But Msida came back strongly in the last part of the match and obtained the equalizer with a great Aganun header.
Tarxien have only themselves to blame for not scoring the second goal that would have put the issue beyond doubt. But Msida survived some hesitant moments to snatch a deserved draw with their late rally.
The two teams met at the end of last season in an exciting relegation decider that relegated Msida after a penalty shootout. However Msida regained their status after the notorious bribery cases.
Both sides were coming from positive surprise results in their last outings with Tarxien victorious against Sliema, and Msida SJ snatching a point against league leaders Valletta.
Tarxien made full use of the flanks with Gianluca Calabretta playing a blinder on the left one, with Luke Vella Critien giving a valid contributionon the right one.
Msida created the first chance with Aganun unable to connect to an inviting Lattes cross, and on the other end Calabretta’s fine run finished with the youngster’s shot going slightly wide.
On 16 minutes Rocha Dos Santos tried his luck from 30 meters with the ball deceiving Bartolo, but missing the target. Tarxien in the second half as Tarxien held the initiative for long stretches but goal mouth actions were rare.
On 31 minutes Calabretta created havoc on the left flank and crossed towards Ribeiro whose header sailed over the bar.
Four minutes later Tarxien took a deserved lead when Denni Rocha Dos Santos, penetrated inside the area after beating a couple of defenders before beating Bartolo from an acute angle for a great goal.
Tarxien were now in a commanding position and Gianluca Calabretta tested Bartolo with a central shot, and the same player blasted high after another good move by Rocha Dos Santos.
On the resumption Calabretta missed a golden opportunity after another great run on the left, but he tried the shot at goal with David Camilleri completely unmarked Tarxien almost paid dearly for this miss as minutes later Msida’s best player Lattes hit the crossbar from long range. On the hour Msida had their penalty appeals turned down by the referee.
Msida enjoyed territorial superiority, but the Tarxien defence was never under pressure. On 75 minutes Tarxien missed another glorious chance to close the match when substitute Mark Tanti failed to beat Bartolo after an Msida defensive lapse.
Ten minutes from time Msida levelled the score when Aganun’s header slammed against the crossbar and on the other side of the goal line. Tarxien were now under pressure as Msida pushed forward for a winner. But Tarxien were unlucky on 41 minutes with a Rocha Dos Santos scorcher hitting the crossbar. On 90 minutes Aganun passed towards Lattes who tested Cassar with a grounder.