Hamrun S 0
Maccabi Haifa 4
Hamrun S: F. Marchetti, S. Borg, R. Prsa, Elionay (Y. Nenov), U. Duranovic, O. Bjelicic, J. Corbalan (J. Mbong), N. Krstic (Eder), M. Emerson, R. Camenzuli, Jonny (L. Montebello).
Maccabi Haifa: I. Nitzan, D. Sundgren, S. Goldberg, A. Mohamed (M. Jaber), F. Pierrot (E. Shuranov), T. Chery, G. Naor, D. David (l. Rafaelov), P. Cornud, A. Seck, D. Sabia (A. Khalaili).
Referee: Donald Robertson (Scotland)
Yellow cards: S. Borg, U. Djuranovic
Scorers: F. Pierrot 41’, 57’, D. David 45+3’, A. Khalaili 79’
Hamrun’s European dreams were completely crushed yesterday by a superior Maccabi Haifa side at the Centenary stadium. The match played in a packed stadium that maybe is not fit to host such matches, had two interruptions, one in the first half when Maccabi fans threw burning flares on the pitch, and then in the second half there was mayhem in the zone of the Maccabi supporters with the referee suspending the match for over fourty minutes.
Hamrun played a good match until suffering the first goal on 40 minutes, but after that they never recovered and were completely outclassed by a better and more experienced outfit. The physical and technical level between local clubs and clubs with Champions League experience like Maccabi is still abyssal.
Hamrun had the first dangerous move on six minutes when Ryan Camenzuli gave a long ball towards Duranovic who was however blocked in time by Mohamed. On 20 minutes another good opportunity for the Spartans with Jonny bringing the best out of Nitzan who made a great save. Six minutes from the break goalkeeper Marchetti had to charge out of position to block David who was heading for goal.
This was a prelude to Maccabi’s goal which came on 41 minutes when the towering Pierrot headed home past Marchetti from a corner. Hamrun tried a timid reaction but it as evident that the Spartans were still under shock. In stoppage time Maccabi doubled the score in a fast break with Din David finishing in style with the ball hitting the upright before finishing at the back of the net.
The second half started with Marchetti blocking Pierrot’s low central drive and on the other end Corbalan shot well over the bar. Hamrun were very unlucky on 54 minutes when Prsa hit the upright direct from a corner and with Maccabi’s clearance leaving much to be desired, the ball came to Bjelicic whose scorcher slammed against the crossbar.
Seconds later trouble again erupted from the end of the Maccabi fans and the match was suspended by the Scottish referee. Flares had already been thrown in the first half from the Maccabi fans, damaging the surface of the Centenary Stadium in many parts.
The match finally re-started and Maccabi quickly scored the third goal when Pierrot scored his second of the game with a close range header. Hamrun were now completely at their opponents’ mercy and substitute Khalaili added a fourth after a defensive blunder by Ryan Camenzuli.
In the dying seconds Hamrun deserved at least a consolation goal but Luke Monteballo’s header was cleared off the goal line.
Photo: Domenic Aquilina