Rabat A 0

Sliema W 2

SILVIO VELLA

Sliema Wanderers scored late, capitalising on their numerical superiority to beat Rabat Ajax and move into fifth place in the standings.

In fact, the dismissal of Rabat’s defender Clive Brincat, 12 minutes from the end, had a telling effect on the final result and led to the Magpies’ failure to take at least a draw that looked well within their capabilities.

Sliema’s substitute Luigi Ruggero, who had gone in for Laudisi at the start of the second half, scored a brace. His diagonal shot from the left on 84 minutes sursprised Rabat keeper Jonathan Azzopardi.

The second, was again scored by Ruggeri, deep into two minutes of added time, after collecting a Mintoff pass, to securte the points for the Wanderers.

Rabat were yesterday boosted by the return of their striker Astrauskas, back from suspension, as well as defender Yan Cuachi. Christopher Schembri replaced the suspended Patrick Borg in central defence as Heiner Backhuas was left on the bench. And with Gaetano Gesualdi given a start as left back, David Azzopardi played in a more advanced role. He was perhaps Rabat’s most dangerous player with his incursions on the left.

Rabat played with some self belief and showed again that the newly promoted clubs have got the stomach for a fight when it comes to defying the critics. Only that first win keeps eluding them.

To be fair, Sliema always looked technically better than their opponents, solid in defence and more flowing in midfield, but rarely carved out too many clear cut chances.

Alex Muscat was the first to test Jonathan Azzopardi, with a shot that the Rabat keeper failed to hold but teh Sliema defender hit the rebound wide.

David Azzopardi had already gone close for Rabat with his shot on the turn going narrwoly wide after six minutes and from his corner past the half hour, Mintoff failed to clear but Cauchi shot feebly at keeper Bonello’s safe hands.

It was still goalless at halftime as Sliema put in Ruggeri for Laudisi. The substitute immediately went close with his effort hitting the foot of the post from a Muscat corner.

Sliema in fact won a series of corners but none proved productive. Rabat were still very much in the game and threatened with a Fuster free kick that caused panic inside the Sliema area and a Schembri rising shot missing the target by inches.

But on 78 minutes, Rabat suffered a major setback. Clive Brincat, who had been already cautioned, was shown a yellow card by the Welsh referee of this match for preventing Sliema from taking a free kick as he handled the dead ball, and was eventually sent off.

Rabat paid the penalty. They succumbed to concede twice in the last six minutes plus added time as Sliema bagged full points.

Rabat: J. Azzopardi, G. Gesualdi, C. Schembri, I. Carapic, N. Astrauskas (C. Gauci), A. Smeir, M. Fuster (J. Felice), D. Falzon, C. Brincat, Y. Cauchi, D. Azzopardi

Sliema W: H. Bonello, L. Martinelli, C. Gatt Baldacchino, S. Biancardiu, J. Mintoff, M. Muchardi, A. Muscat, P. Barnbetti, A. Laudisi (L. Ruggero), I. Woods, M. Ciantar (A. Decesare)

Referee: B. Markham Jones

Asst.refs: L. Edwards, D. Backett

4th official: L. Harrington

Scorers: L. Ruggero 84, 90+

Yellow cards: C. Brincat, M. Fuster, C. Gatt Baldacchino

Red card: C. Brincat

Player of the match: M. Muchardi (Sliema W)

TMI top 3: 1. M. Muchardi 2. L. Ruggero 3. D. Azzopardi