Naxxar L.-Sliema W. 1-1

 

Naxxar: J. Azzopardi, J. Ani (T. Scerri 69’), V. Bellia, M. Briffa (V. Bellia 83’), A. Buhagiar, R.G. Cassar, G. Da Silva Ribeiro, P. Doffo, T. Lopes de Souza, A. Rocha da Silva (O. Zongo 75’), E. Silva dos Santos

Sliema: H. Bonello, A. Muscat, J. Borg, A. Rapino, J. Mintoff, T. Cilia (C. Gatt Baldacchino 79’), P. Gueye (I. Woods 46’), P. Barbetti, M. Muchardi, B. Muscat (A. Navarra 65’), S. Biancardi

Referee: Paul Caruana

Assistent Referees: Ingmar Spiteri, Albert Borg Cardona

Yellow Cards: A. Rapino 13min (S), P. Doffo 36min (N)

Red Card: A. Rapino 72min (S)

Scorers: Alex Muscat 5min (S), Trevor Cilia 15min (S), Andre Rocha da Silva 17min (N), Evaldo dos Santos 59min (N)

BOV Player of the Match: Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro (N)

 

Naxxar Lions came back from two goals down to earn a point from a 2-2 draw against Sliema Wanderers in a balanced match. Although the score indicates that the match was balanced, Naxxar, as already said, had to come back from two early goals by Sliema.

But Winston Muscat’s team recovered after the second goal and also had opportunities to win the match. On the other hand Sliema lost two important points to keep up the pace with the top three and could have come out from the match empty handed.

Sliema made one change from their last game with Beppe Muscat replacing Mark Scerri who was suspended.

Sliema took the lead after just five minutes when from a free-kick by Trevor Cilia, Pape Gueye headed well to Alex Muscat who was in the right place to score from close range.

Naxxar’s reply came on the 14th minute when a free-kick by Pablo Doffo finished over the bar. Sliema doubled their lead a minute later when John Mintoff passed to Pape Gueye who advanced and crossed in the penalty area where Trevor Cilia was ready to head the ball in an empty net.

Naxxar reduced the gap on the 17th minute when Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro advanced and with a personal action dribbled past two defenders and passed to Andre Rocha da Silva who scored with a turning shot. After this goal, Naxxar increased their play and had also attempts but they weren’t dangerous while Sliema were constrained to control the pressure. 

Sliema started the second half on the attack and on the 47th minute a shot by Trevor Cilia was saved by Azzopardi with his legs.

Naxxar equalised on the 59th minute when from a free-kick by Doffo, Evaldo Silva dos Santos was left alone in the penalty area and complimented the cross with a first-time shot.

Naxxar could have taken the lead on the 62nd minute when Gilmar passed to Jerry Ani but his attempt finished over the bar.

Sliema had a golden opportunity when Trevor Cilia made a good run from the right flank and passed to substitute Woods who tried his first attempt with a backheel that was deflected but his second attempt was denied by the post and from the rebound Barbetti fired over the bar.  

Sliema seemed to have lost control of the match while Naxxar were dictating play and on the 69th minute Del Negro passed to Marlon Briffa who controlled the ball and advanced but his shot finished over the bar.

Sliema finished the last 20 minutes of the match in 10 men when Alessandro Rapino was shown the second yellow card. The match now entered an interesting phase with attacks from both ends.

 Alex Muscat tried to shock the Naxxar defence on the 75th minute with a personal action but Azzopardi  was ready to block.

Winston Muscat’s team could have won the match on the 82nd minute when a shot from Ousseni Zongo finished whiskers away from the bar.