HIBERNIANS- 1
SLIEMA WANDERERS- 1
Hibernians: J. Haber, J. Pearson, J. Lima, R. Soares, M. Dias, B. Kristensen, A. Agius, L. Edison (J. Degabriele), J. Mbong (C. Failla), Jorginho, G. Ribeiro
Sliema W: G. Zammit, A. Muscat, A. Tarlaziz (P. Xuereb), M. Scerri, C. Gatt Baldacchino, M. Potezica, J. Bezzina, D. Dos Santos (A. Friggieri), G. Muir, J.P. Farrugia, S. Bianciardi
Referee: G. Ton na
Asst.refs: C. Francalanza, R. Aquilina
4th official:M. Apap
Scorers: Jorginho 13, D. Dos Santos 21
Yellow cards: B. Kristensen, G. Muir, A. Muscat, Jorginho, G. Zammit
Player of the match: D. Dos Santos (Sliema W)
TMI top 3: 1. D. Dos Santos 2. J. Bezzina 3. G. Ribeiro
SILVIO VELLA
A revived Sliema side, continued to show improvement under new coach Alfonso Greco, who remains unbeated after three matches in charge. This draw against champions Hibernians proves the Wanderers' spirit of togetherness, as they held on for a point, without being accused of ultra-defensive tactics.
For all their commitment, they also enjoyed a huge slice of luck yesterday. Three times Hibernians were denied clear goals by the woodwork, including a missed penalty late in the second half.
These are the moments when potential champions have to show they can cope when the heat of the battle is dangerously close to intolerable and Hibernians did not look mentally strong enough yesterday.
They looked coasting towards another routine victory when taking an early lead through Jorginho, but Denni Dos Santos' equaliser for Sliema changed the game's complexion.
Hibernians had enough chances to win the match in the second half but missed them through profligacy and ill-luck.
Boosted by the draw against Floriana on Saturday, Sliema made only one change yesterday, with Johann Bezzina returning in the side for Saviour Fidelis.
Hibernians, riding high on an eight-match unbeaten streak, had Jackson Lima back and rested Andrew Cohen, who was presented with a memento, for his 400 Premier League appearances, before kick off.
The Paolites made a bright opening with Ribeiro running down the left flank and providing the cross for Jorginho's free header. The forward however made poor contact with the ball.
Sliema also tried to test the waters. After 11 minutes Potezica was inside the Hibernians area on a Farrugia pass. But keeper Haber reached for the ball early.
Bezzina had a central shot saved by Haber before Hibernians made the breakthrough short of the quarter hour. Dias played the ball towards the middle for Jorginho to run through the open Sliema rearguard and beat keeper Zammit with a low strike.
Five minutes later, Hibernians almost made them two. Mbong found space inside the Sliema area as the defenders again failed to cut a Dias cross. Zammit came to the rescue, saving into a corner.
At least the goal did not floor Sliema and they soon spoilt the champions' mood when restoring parity on 21 minutes. Denni Dos Santos advanced inside the Hibernians area from the left, when served by Farrugia, and beat keeper Haber with a low shot.
Sliema played with more confidence after the equaliser and Hibernians failed to dominate, although they enjoyed slightly the better share of possesion and looked menacing again just before the break when Ribeiro hit the base of the post with a powerful free kick from a distance.
Delaying their entry into the pitch for the second half, the Wanderers were the more spirited side for the second 45 minutes. Denni strolled around imperiously and as he twisted and turned inside the Hibernians area on the left, his shot was turned into a corner by Haber. Hibernians remained cautious, defending with five men at the back.
They effected a double substitution after 72 minutes, putting in Clayton Failla and Jurgen Degabriele.
On 78 minutes, the Paolites were gifted a good opportunity to forge ahead. Sliema keeper Zammit miskicked the ball which fell to Ribeiro, who immediately shot at goal but the keeper footed out his effort, only for Muir to push Ribeiro, as he made contact with the loose ball, and concede a penalty.
Failla's shot from the spot was directed against the post by keeper Zammit as the chance went begging.
Yet Sliema lived dangerously during the last ten minutes, as they had to survive Hibernians' late incessant pressure. After Denni limped off injured, Hibernians missed another glaring opportunity on the stroke of full time. Bianciardi cleared the ball in the path of Degabriele, who advanced unhindered but thumped his shot against the foot of the post.
Mosta 1
St Andrews 1
Mosta: O. Borg, E. Michelletti, T. Farrugia, F. Alabi, IC Guobadia, G. Mensah, D. Falzon (S. Gwar), D. Okonkwo (L. Micallef), R. Ekani, J. Brincat, K. Frendo.
St Andrews: J. Galea, EM Pena Beltre, D. Camilleri, BW Che, J. Perez Cuestra, VL Oseghale (K. Nwoko), SM Wisdom, J. Farrugia, FC Onwudinjo, M. Johnson, E Nkene.
Referee: S. Spiteri.
Asst refs: D. Sultana, W. Debattista.
4th official: AM Sant.
Scorers: VL Oseghale, S. Gwar,
Yellow cards: J. Farrugia.
Red cards:T. Farrugia.
Player of the match: VL Oseghale.
TMI Top 3: 1. VL Oseghale, 2. IC Guobadia, 3. J. Perez Cuestra.
Henry Brincat
Bottom club St Andrews missed the chance to take three precious points from their encounter with Mosta yesterday.
After taking the lead through Man of the Match Oseghale early in the second half, they allowed Mosta to hit back through Gwar 11 minutes from the end.
The point earned enabled them to move onto the four-point mark, while Mosta moved onto 16 points, safely entrenched in mid-table.
The first half was quite boring and neither side appeared to have the edge over each other.
Play was mainly restricted to midfield where passes went astray from both ends. Goal thrills were few and far between and these never enthused the sparse crowd present at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.
Shots on goal were at a premium and both goalkeepers had a quiet 45 minutes as they were never tested seriously.
The second half was slightly better as both sides showed much more determination but it only became really interesting in the final 10 minutes, that is, after both sides had scored.
Then the match became open and the two sides had good chances to
clinch the three points.
At the end, the draw was perhaps the fairest result, though the Saints would have relished the three points in their quest to avoid relegation.
After a quiet start, Mosta had a good chance to take the lead on the 12th minute when Guobadia set Dyson Falzon, but the latter's effort from an ideal position, went wide.
Play degenerated as neither team seemed able to create at least one other decent move and a shot at either end. It was absolutely boring until the 36th minute when in their first real attack, St Andrews went close when Oseghale set Perez Cuestra whose good effort from the edge of the area just missed the target.
In the 43rd minute, the Saints again went close to opening the score. First it was Oseghale who had a shot blocked by Mossta's packed defence. The ball went to Wisdom whose effort, however, went harmlessly over the bar.
St Andrews took the initiative at the start of the second half and after a Che header was easily saved by Borg, it was no surprise that they took the lead with a splendid goal on the 53rd minute. It was Pena Beltre who advanced into the area on the right flank to cross low for Victor Lucky Oseghale to hit home a first timer which left Borg standing.
In the 63rd minute, Mensah missed a good opportunity for Mosta as he failed to control a good ball in front of goalie Jake Galea.
St Andrews remained the better team and substitute Kyrian Nwoko had a good effort just missing the target on 72 minutes.
Mosta equalised on the 79th minute. From a Kyle Frendo freekick, Guobadia headed towards substitute Gwar who made no mistake from close in.
In the 85th minute, as the match became more interesting at last, James Brincat had a shot from the edge of the area hitting the crossbar while immediately afterwards, at the other end, a Perez Cuestra effort went just over the bar.
Pembroke 3
Qormi 1
Pembroke: M. Muscat, Z.Levniac, A. Cini, M. Attard, O. Bugeja, M. Micallef (O. Obiefule), P. Barbetti, S. Arab, A. Laudisi (T. Agius), G. Villalobos, K. O'Brien.
Qormi: JM Vella, E. Vella (I. Micallef), R. Micallef (T. Gusman, L. Farrugia), DR Leeflang, Y. Yankam, A. Cassar, O. Sidibe, NO Ojuola, T. Vella, C. Gauci, K. Magro.
Referee: M. Borg.
Asst refs: E. Spiteri, T. Debono.
4th official: S. Pace.
Scorers: NO Ojuola, G. Villalobos, O. Obiefule (2, one penalty).
Yellow cards: M. Attard, T. Vella, T. Gusman,
Player of the match: G. Villalobos.
TMI Top 3: 1. G. Villalobos, 2. A. Laudisi, 3. T. Vella.
Attendance: 194
Pembroke come from behind to beat Qormi
Pembroke came from a goal behind to beat lowly Qormi 3-1 in yesterday's second match at the Victor Tedesco Stadium in Hamrun.
All the goals were scored in the second half. Ojuola gave Qormi the lead, but Pembroke hit back with goals from Villalobos and a brace from substitute Obiefule, one of them a penalty.
The victory enabled Pembroke to move onto a relatively safe position on 16 points while Qormi remain on five points, just one ahead of bottom club St Andrews and still two points adrift of Naxxar Lions.
Qormi fought bravely till the score was 1-1, but they threw in the towel in the final quarter of an hour when Pembroke scored the two goals that gave them the three points.
In the first half, Pembroke saw much more of the ball, but they rarely threatened goalie Vella. Despite their dominance, they never offered a serious threat as Qormi defended in an organised manner.
Apart from defending well, the Yellow Blacks had their own moments and although they never came close to scoring, Terence Vella proved to be their main source of danger, although he was too isolated.
In the second half, the match became more interesting especially after Qormi took the lead and Pembroke equalised almost immediately after.
Pembroke remained in control of the midfield sector and it was no surprise that after some efforts, they finally managed to turn the match in their favour by adding two goals.
Pembroke took the game to their opponents right from the first whistle and on the sixth minute, it was Laudisi who had a shot going just over the crossbar.
In the 16th minute, Laudisi was a second too late to connect to a good Arab cross.
Qormi replied in the 25th minute through a Terence Vella cross which was deviated by a Pembroke defender onto the net for an abortive corner.
In the 34th minute, it was Laudisi who tried his luck from just outside the area, but the ball went just over.
In the 45th minute, from an Arab cross, it was Laudisi who headed towards goal, but goalie Vella saved.
In the 48th minute, Mano Micallef had a good effort going wide, but at the other end, Qormi opened the scoring in the 51st minute. From a Leeflang freekick, Ojuola anticipated Muscat to head home into an empty net.
Their joy was, however, shortlived as Pembroke equalised three minutes later through Villalobos who hit home past Vella from the edge of the area.
On 61 minutes, Pembroke threatened again when Kyle O'Brien forced goalie Vella to save on deck.
Nine minutes later, off a Villalobos cross, Laudisi missed a glorious chance when he lifted the ball well over the bar from five metres.
In the 73rd minute, Ojuola had a freekick going over for Qormi, but at the other end, in the 76th minute, from a Villalobos cross, it was substitute Obiefule who scored for Pembroke after a melee in front of goalie Vella.
In the 87th minute, Pembroke made sure of the three points when they were awarded a penalty for a Yankam foul on Obiefule. The latter made no mistake from the spotkick to assure his side of the three points.
BIRKIRKARA- 0
FLORIANA – 1
Birkirkara: I. Akpan, C. Attard, G. Sciberras, C. Bubalovic, R. Camenzuli (E. Agius), M. Andelkovic, R. Scicluna, G. Mujanovic, E. Zarate, M. Smrekar, I. Seyda
Floriana: M. Calleja Cremona, A. Scicluna, A. Monticelli, E. Pepe, S. Pisani, M. Piciollo (J. Cabral), S. Bonnici (Clyde Borg), E. Briffa, N. Chiesa (Conor Borg), M. Fontanella, E. Marcelina
Referee: P. Farrugia
Asst.refs: A. Camilleri, M. Borg
Additional asst.refs: F. Zammit, M. Degabriele
4th official: P. Abela
Scorer: J. Cabral 83
Yellow cards: C. Attard, E. Zarate
Player of the match: E. Marcelina (Floriana)
TMI top 3: 1. E. Marcelina 2. C. Bubalovic 3. M. Fontanella
Attendance: 978
SILVIO VELLA
A late strike by substitute Juninho Cabral, who had earlier even struck the bar, gave Floriana a narrow win over the team above them Birkirkara in an evenly balanced match that lacked excitement or real goalmouth action.
Birkirkara could have few complaints about the outcome. Although Floriana's goal came late, there was nothing convincing about the Stripes' performance. They looked flat, and threatened only sporadically going forward. They have now been caught out by teh same Floriana, three points adrift of third placed Balzan.
Although both teams displayed a grim lack of creativity, Floriana saw more of the ball overall and generally manipulated it better, leaving the Birkirkara players looking nervous whenever Piciollo or Fontanella ran at them. Fontanella was the only change in the Floriana side that drew with Sliema Wanderers, as he replaced Mauricio Villa, and was a source of inspiration in attack.
Birkirkara, who had Akpan again in goal, deputising for the suspended Kopric, welcomed Ryan Camenzuli back in the side, meaning that Matthew Guillaumier had to start on the bench.
Failing to hold the ball up, and painfully sluggish out of the blocks,the Stripes hardly ever threatened the Floriana goal and kept keeper Calleja Cremona busy only on high balls raked inside his area.
The first half was played high on energy but with little cohesion from either side. The game itself had been something of a slow burner, with the first real incident of note coming on 18 minutes when Piciollo put pressure on Sciberras, whose back pass was kicked short by Akpan in the path of Fontanella but the Birkirkara keeper atoned with a smart save into a corner.
Past the half hour, on a floating Pisani free kick, keeper Akpan was challenged by Bonnici, who fell heavily but resumed play after receiving treatment. However the Floriana defender did not make an appearance in the second half and was replaced by Clyde Borg.
With halftime looming, Seyda headed a deep cross towards the middle but Smrekar failed to make contact.
Yet Birkirka rediscovered some verve in the second period, pushing further upfield through Andelkovic and Zarate. Still, Floriana were proving resolute and problematic to break down, with Marcelina keeping Seyda under good check.
But even when Frank Temile was introduced past the hour, Birkirkara were still unable to up the tempo. Temile had his effort from outside the area well blocked by the Floriana keeper.
Both teams continued to disappoint in the final third. Floriana even withdrew Piciollo and introduced Juninho Cabral. His free kick on 75 minutes rebounded off the bar.
Ten minutes from time, Camenzuli put Seydi through but he was blocked by Pepe inside the area.
As the match was petering to a goalless draw, Floriana struck with seven minutes remaining. And it was Cabral who stretched out his leg to meet Chiesa's cross from the right and steer the ball past the helpless keeper Akpan, to stun the Birkirkara supporters.
from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/1Rrl4Hd
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