Qormi-Naxxar 1-0
Qormi: M. Farrugia, J. Bondin, M. Mazzetti, E. Vella, D. Pisani, S. Agius (R. Sammut), J. Chetcuti (B. Bondin), A. Santos, Z. Levnaic, A. Effiong, F. Temile (P. Viggiani) Naxxar L: J. Azzopardi, A. Buhagiar, G. Ribeiro, P. Doffo, U. Eminike, D. Falzon (D. Bonnici), D. Fenech, S. Fraga (J. Debono), D. Reano, A. Scicluna, T. Vella
Referee: T. Farrugia Cann Asst.refs: M. Scerri, D. Castillo 4th official: M. Apap
Scorers: J. Chetcuti 48
Yellow cards: D. Pisani, E. Vella, J. Chet- cuti, A. Santos, G. Ribeiro
Player of the match: A. Effiong (Qormi) TMI top 3: 1.Z. Levnaic 2. A. Effiong 3. G. Ribeiro
These two teams intend to do better than last season in the Premier League, but on yesterday’s showing both need to make improve- ment. Qormi can take some comfort from their winning start, thanks to a solitary goal by their return- ing veteran Joseph Chetcuti at the start of the second period, but the number of missed chances was truly alarming, especially from the winners. In truth, when players did break through the opposing de- fences, their composure in front of goal deserted them and the game was always lacking for some real quality. Whilst retaining the bulk of last season’s squad, including foreigners Reano, Doffo and Gilmar,Naxxar have made some additions this time round.
Nigerian wide player Uchenna Emenike joined the team to give Naxxar more attacking options, with other new signing from Birkirkara Terence Vella. Andrew Scicluna, also joining from the Stripes, and David Fenech (for-merly of Nadur Youngsters) made their debut for the Lions yesterday. Brazilian midfielder Sydney Fraga played only in the first half after sustaining an in- jury. Qormi, under new coach Josef Mansueto and his assistant Ru- pert Mangion, have assembled a more competitive side this season, the best ever in the Premier League according to their president Redeno Apap.
New Argentine central defender Maricio Mazzetti, together with holding midfielders Zoran Levnaic and Anderson Santos have bolstered Qormi’s defence while the revitalised Frank Temile, joining from Birkirkara, surely adds firepower in attack, together with Alfred Effiong. But both sides fluffed chances in a messy first half that produced chaotic football, typical of early season play.
Qormi were the first to miss a good opportunity after 19 minutes. Temile’s cross from the left was missed by Effiong and as Pisani ran inside the area to hit the loose ball, his effort was blocked, as he fell in the process and was booked for simulation. Temile had a shot blocked by Naxxar keeper Azzopardi soon after. Naxxar also failed to take their chances. Midway through the half, Vella robbed Mazzetti of the ball, his cross from the right was incredibly missed by Emenike and Gilmar skied the loose ball. Past the half hour, Vella failed to put his head to Emenike’s high cross from the left and soon after Gilmar’s direct free kick was easily saved by keeper Farrugia.
The Qormi keeper was alert, fisting out Doffo’s inswinging free kick from the left shortly be- fore halftime. The stalemate was broken three minutes into the second half though. Effiong lifted the ball for- ward in the path of Joseph Chet- cuti, who advanced inside the Naxxar area to hit cooly past the onrushing keeper. But it was soon back to missed chances for Qormi.
Effiong shot straight on the keeper when put trhough by Bondin and towards the hour Temile played one-two with Chetcuti but failed to head in the return cross. Although superior to their opponents, Qormi were unable to score the assuring second goal to put their minds at rest. In the dying minutes Effiong ran down the right and presented an inviting ball to the unmolested Chetcuti who contrived to hit horrendously over. Qormi nearly paid for that mis- take. Five minutes from time Emenike’s effort went narrowly wide to the relief of the Qormi defence.