Tarxien R 1

Qormi 1

After three consecutive wins, Tarxien Rainbows had to settle for a draw yesterday against a stubborn Qormi side, determined to improve on their previous defeat and performance against Valletta prior to the break.

Qormi proved tough opponents, full of purpose and invention and their offensive play lent the game some real excitement.

Although a point apiece was a fair result, both sides could have won the match as they carved out several opportunities but were themselves guilty of too much profligacy.

Tarxien were erratic in the final third despite their domination in midfield through the industry of Anonam and Ricardo Costa. The latter though squandered his side’s best chance in the dying minutes as they remained wasteful in front of goal.

On their part, Qormi were denied by some goalkeeping heroics from David Cassar.

Qormi gave a debut start to Brazilian forward Josue Souza Santos, whose sharp passing with Bello Osagie was a bright alternative for their attack. Kosta Bjedov was named among the substitutes, together with Cleaven Frendo and both made late appearances, but the injured Joseph Farrugia was mostly missed in midfield, when Tarxien took the upperhand. Qormi were also bereft of Giglio but with Vandelnoitte back in defence, their rearguard looked solid and composed.

Tarxien, for all their possession and swift build-ups, rarely made inroads towards the Qormi goal. When Anonam connected well to Tanti’s cross, keeper Matthew Camilleri blocked.

Qormi made the breakthrough on the quarter hour, practically with their first genuine attack. Abubakhar Bello Osagie controlled the ball well when served inside the area and turned past his opponent to fire in.

That put them firmly in command and Tarxien only threatened with a Bueno header on a Grioli corner kick and then again towards the half hour when Costa’s cross was laid down by Rodriguez to Bueno whose shot was blocked.

Qormi looked more menacing. Keeper Cassar was kept under pressure, turning a Souza shot into a corner. Shortly before the break, Osagie put Souza through, but his grounder was turned into a corner by the alert Tarxien keeper.

Qormi also opened well after the restart when Fenech played a through ball to the advancing Souza, whose shot was blocked into a corner by Cassar.

But Tarxien gradually started to take control in midfield and jerked into shape when on 56 minutes Costa played the ball to Bueno on the left. His low cross was deflected by Qormi’s defender Ho Jung Kang into his own net as he tried to reach before Rodriguez could connect.

Tarxien could have even gone in front two minutes later. Tanti’s diagonal shot went tantalisingly wide.

Qormi seemed to tire out in midfield and needed somebody to hold more to possession. However they still threatened with shots by Bartolo and Bello Osagie which were blocked.

They put in Frendo for Buttigieg on 69 minutes and hardly a minute later, the substitute delivered a testing cross from the right which both Bello Osagie and Chetcuti contrived to miss.

It was still anybody’s game though as Costa thumped his shot against the foot of the post at the other end.

On 83 minutes Anonam set Bueno on the left. His cross shot was blocked into a corner by Bondin as Qormi were forced to defend grimly.

With three minutes remaining keeper Camilleri denied Costa with a superb save, turning his shot into a corner from another Bueno assist.

But on the stroke of time, Costa wasted the most inviting of opportunities and his side’s best chance to win when, with only the keeper to beat, he lofted the ball on Rodriguez’s perfect cross.

Tarxien R D. Cassar, S. Sadowski, E. Pereira, R. Costa, C. Rodriguez, M. Tanti (J. Vella), D. Bueno (S. Hili), L. Vella Critien, O. Anonam, L.Galea, J. Grioli (M. Caruana)

Coach N. Coleiro

Qormi M. Camilleri, J. Vandelnoitte, M. Bartolo, K. Fenech, J. Chetcuti (S. Agius), G. Mallia, A. Bello Osagie (K. Bjedov), J. Bondin, G. Buttigieg (C. Frendo), H. Kang, J. Souza Santos

Coach S. Azzopardi

Referee K. Azzopardi

Asst.refs W. Debattista, C. Francalanza

4th official A. M. Sant

Scorers A. Bello Osagie 15, H. Kang 56 og

Yellow cards L. Vella Critien, H. Kang, M. Bartolo

Player of the match R. Costa (Tarxien R)

TMI top 3 1. O. Anonam 2. Bello Osagie 3. D. Bueno