Rabat A.-Sliema W. 1-2

Rabat Ajax: P. Velimirovic, S. Gauci, D. Azzopardi, D. Falzon,.I. Carapic,  J. Caruana, D. Carrillo Pendas, SV Oproiescu (C. Vella), R. Micallef (P. Borg), M. Licari, J. Bajada.

Sliema W. G. Zammit, A. Muscat, J. Borg, S. Ohawuchi, C. Gatt Baldacchino, I. Woods (K. Farrugia), T. Cilia, M. Muchardi, B. Muscat (A. Xuereb), S Bianciardi, A. Vladavic.

Referee: T. Farrugia Cann

Asst refs: L. Portelli, D. Castillo.

4th official: C. Lautier

Scorers: D. Carrillo Pendas, M. Muchardi, S. Ohawuchi

Yellow cards: SV Oproiescu, D. Carrillo Pendas, I. Carapic, D. Falzon, J. Bajada, G. Zammit

Player of the match: S. Ohawuchi

TMI Top 3: 1. A. Muscat, 2. P. Velimirovic, 3. I. Woods

Attendance: 862

Sliema Wanderers came from behind to turn defeat into a 2-1 win yesterday evening.

It was a match which lacked real interest – both sides knew beforehand where they would be playing their football in the second phase.

Sliema will now start in fourth place in the Championship Pool on 22 points, while Rabat start firmly anchored to the bottom place of the Relegation Pool with just three points.

Sliema were missing the services of the suspended John Mintoff, Mark Scerri, Paltemio Barbetti and the injured Bello Osagie. Henry Bonello was also dropped to the substitutes’ bench.

Rabat had Aidan Azzopardi, Adam Smeir and Pelaez all ruled out through injury.

The first half lacked action in front of the two goals with play being restrained mostly to the Rabat half of the pitch.

The Ajax defended stoutly and Sliema had to limit themselves to a few shots from outside the area which never reached the target.

On their part, Rabat never moved forward with purpose and it was a surprise that they eventually took the lead five minutes from the interval whistle – it was their only real attack in the first half.

In the second half, Sliema pressed even more in search of an equaliser, but Rabat held on till the 70th minute when they eventually had to suffer an equaliser and later also another goal which proved to be their downfall.

Sliema merited their victory because of their endeavour to move forward, never throwing in the towel after being shocked by that Rabat goal near the end of the first half. Before the end, Rabat tried to save the match, but their pressure bore no fruit.

It was all Sliema in the opening stages as they did their best to open the scoring.

Vladavic was the first to go close with a shot from the edge of the area that went just wide.

Soon after, it was Ivan Woods who tried his luck, also from the edge of the area, but his effort went just over.

In the 18th minute, from a Vladavic corenerkick, a Bianciardi header hit the crossbar.

Muchardi also had a 20-metre attempt going over the bar on the 25th minute.

On the 34th minute, it was Alex Muscat who set Beppe Muscat in the area, but the latter’s shot was weak and easily saved by Velimirovic.

Four minutes later, it was Alex Muscat who had a shot going over.

However, it was Rabat who opened the scoring in the 40th minute. A cross from the right flank was headed out to Carrillo Pendas who dribbled round Alex Muscat before planting the ball past the helpless Zammit.

Two minutes later, Rabat goalie Velimirovic saved his fort turning to corner a Vladavic effort from the left.

The second half had a dull start with Sliema on the attack but failing to produce a decent action.

In the 56th minute, however, it was Muchardi who saw his grounder being turned to corner by the diving Velimirovic.

At the other end, in the 60th minute, Ryan Micallef had the misfortune of seeing his shot hitting the upright before finishing wide.

And soon after, it was the same Micallef who went round Alex Muscat, only to see his fine effort just missing the target.

Soon afterwards, from a Trevor Cilia cross, Ohawuchi’s header went wide.

Sliema equalised in the 70th minute. It was Woods who received the ball in the area and crossed low for Muichardi to hit home a first timer that left Velimirovic staring.

On the 82nd minute, Velimirovic again saved the Rabat fort with a great save off a Woods humdinger, but from the resultant cornerkick, it was Ohawuchi who beat the Rabat goalie with a well placed shot.