Tarxien R: A. Curmi, M. Caruana, E. Pereira, G. Calabretta (S. Hili), R. Costa, C. Dos Santos Rodrigues, S. Pacheco De Oliveiro (L. Galea), J. Vella, O. Anonam, R. Grech (L. Vella Critien), J. Grioli

Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci, C. Mamo, G. Sciberras, C. Brincat, M. Deanov (T. Templeman), P. Pullicino, M. Licari, J. Alcorse, R. Galabov, E. Yanchev, R. Guerreiro (A. Effiong)

Referee: C. Pisani Asst. refs: J. Camilleri, M. Mercieca 4th official: G. Tonna

Yellow cards: M. Caruana, C. Brincat, O. Anonam

Player of the match: C. Rodrigues Dos Santos (Tarxien R)

TMI top three: 1. R. Galabov 2. O. Anonam 3. G. Sciberras

This match offered very little in terms of excitement and none in number of goals as Tarxien Rainbows were held to a goalless draw by newly promoted Marsaxlokk.

It was a drab affair between two disjointed sides who need to improve. In the final analysis, a draw was a fair result as neither side deserved to win.

Tarxien fielded three new Brazilian midfielders who looked innocuous throughout the 90 minutes and hardly had any impact on the match – a far cry from the Rainbows’ Brazilian duo of Denni Dos Santos and Ribeiro of last season. Other new signing from Floriana, Orosco Anonam, played in central defence alongside Everton Pereira. This meant Sadowski, Vella Critien, Mintoff and Galea all started on the bench.

Newcomers Marsaxlokk were hardly any better. Sticking to most of the players who earned them promotion last season, including Galabov and Yanchev, they had keeper Reuben Gauci, Carlo Mamo and Julio Alcorse returning to their fold. New Portuguese recruit Rubin Guerreiro played wide in midfield, while other new signings Effiong and Eboh, were named among the substitutes.

Both sides were bereft of ideas in a tepid first half that served as a cure for insomnia.

Tarxien’s only chance came in the early stages when Calabretta came face to face with keeper Gauci on the left, but Yanchev cleared the ball into safety.

Alcorse should have done better with his free header on an inviting Guerreiro cross midway through the half and on 38 minutes, the Argentine forward’s half volley, on Sciberras’ pass, was comfortably saved by Tarxien keeper Curmi.

Not surprisingly, it was still goalless at halftime.

Things hardly improved in the second half, although Marsaxlokk put in Effiong for Gurrreiro and Tarxien substituted Calabretta with Sergio Hili.

At least, the teams carved more openings, although the forwards remained profligate.

On the hour, a Grioli long ball found Pacheco unmarked inside the Marsaxlokk area. His shot was blocked by keeper Gauci for Rodrigues Dos Santos to shoot in the rebound, but the goal was rightly disallowed for offside.

Marsaxlokk showed up when Galabov played the ball forward to Alcorse who advanced unhindered but put his shot off target.

On 78 minutes, Galabov again served Alcorse inside the Tarxien area, but Caruana blocked in time.

With four minutes remaining, both sides could have broken the deadlock. Tarxien’s Rodrigues Dos Santos was blocked by keeper Gauci when alone inside the Marsaxlokk area. And on a Hili long free kick, Costa headed out.

On the other end, Sciberras had his shot blocked by Pereira but Alcorse was closest with an angled shot from the left that rebounded off the upright, as the stalemate prevailed.

Today at Ta’ Qali: 7.30pm Sliema W.-Birkirkara