Tarxien Rainbows failed to keep the pace with leaders Valletta as they were held in a 1-1 draw by Qormi. The Rainbows therefore move three points clear of third-placed Floriana but are now nine points behind the Citizens.
Qormi welcomed back Jason Vandelannoite, Abubakar Bello-Osagie and Kang Hojung and had new foreign striker Josue Sousa Santos making his debut. Stefan Giglio, Joseph Farrugia, Roderick Sammut and Ben Camilleri were all ruled out. On the other hand, Tarxien lacked Sergio Pacheco De Oliveira.
The Yellows managed to take the lead on 16 minutes when Abubakar Bello-Osagie, served on the right, managed to beat David Cassar with a low shot from just outside the area.
Tarxien replied with a cross from the right from which Everton Antonio Pereira headed just over the bar two minutes later.
On the other side of the pitch, a low shot by Josue Souza Santos was turned into a corner by David Cassar. The Tarxien goalkeeper then neutralised a powerful shot by Matthew Bartolo from outside the area on 23 minutes.
Eleven minutes in the second half, Tarxien levelled matters when Daniel Mariano Bueno concluded a good run on the left flank with a cross with the ball being deflected by Kang Hojung past goalkeeper Matthew Camilleri for an own goal.
On 71 minutes, Joseph Chetcuti and Abubakar Bello-Osagie failed to connect off an inviting cross by substitute Cleavon Frendo. One minute later, Ricardo Costa hit the upright for Tarxien with a shot from the right.
Finally on the 90th, Ricardo Costa missed a great chance, hitting high off an inviting cross from the right by Cristiano.
Ricardo Costa was voted BOV Player of the Match.
Photo: Copyright © www.fotoincmalta.com
TARXIEN David Cassar, Steven Sadowski, Everton Antonio Pereira, Ricardo Costa, Cristiano Dos Santos Rodrigues, Mark Tanti (69’ Julian Vella), Daniel Mariano Bueno (91’ Sergio Hili), Luke Vella Critien, Orosco Anonam, Lee Galea, Justin Grioli (42’ Manuel Caruana)
Subs not used: Anthony Curmi, Andre Farrugia, Warren Zerafa, Ryan Mintoff.
Coach: Noel Coleiro
Assistant Coach: Michael Church
QORMI Matthew Camilleri, Jason Vandelannoite, Matthew Bartolo, Keith Fenech, Joseph Chetcuti (84’ Steve Agius), George Mallia, Abubakar Bello-Osagie (84’ Kosta Bjedov), Jonathan Bondin, Gabriel Buttigieg (69’ Cleavon Frendo), Kang Hojung, Josue Santos Souza.
Subs not used: Matthew Farrugia, Gaetano Gesualdi, Luke Sciberras, Jurgen Gerada.
Coach: Stephen Azzopardi
Assistant Coach: Charles Scerri
Referee: Kevin Azzopardi
Assistant Referees: William Debattista, Chris Francalanza
Fourth Official: Alan Mario Sant
Yellow Cards: Vella Critien, Hojung, Bartolo
Scorers: 16’ Abubakar Bello-Osagie (Q); 56’ own goal Kang Hojung (T)
Attendance: 1,110
Photos: Copyright © www.stephengatt.com
Sliema Wanderers scored twice in added time to register a most dramatic 4-3 win over ten-man Vittoriosa Stars. The Wanderers therefore returned to winning ways after failing to do so in the last eight matches. In fact, their last win was obtained in the first round game against the Stars.
The Blues managed to build a two-goal lead early in the game but Vittoriosa turned the score in their favour before having a player sent off. The Wanderers took full advantage hitting twice in added time to take home the three points.
Sliema had Tunisian striker Chakib Lachkhem making his debut but lacked Obinna Obiefule and John Mintoff. Carlos Campagnoli was missing for Vittoriosa.
The Blues held the initiative early in the game going close on the 10th minute with a close-range effort by Miguel Ciantar which was saved with particular difficulty by Simon Agius.
Sliema managed to take the lead on the 18th minute when Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza served Jackson Lima Sequeira who hit low past Simon Agius.
The Wanderers doubled the score one minute later with an angled shot by Chakib Lachkhem from the right which beat the Vittoriosa custodian.
Edison Luis Dos Santos reduced the gap for Vittoriosa on the half hour after converting a penalty after he was brought down inside the area by Clayton Failla.
Jorge Santos Silva went close for the Stars with a low shot from the edge of the area ending just wide seven minutes from the end of the first half but one minute in added time, he was not to be denied when his direct freekick from the left beat goalkeeper Viktor Szentpeteri to make it 2-2.
Eight minutes in the second half, Simon Agius performed a good save on a powerful shot by Lachkhem from the left. The Vittoriosa goalkeeper then performed another great save on a Jackson Lima powerful drive.
However on 73 minutes, Vittoriosa forged ahead when Leighton Grech released Jorge Santos Silva on the right and off the latter’s perfect pass, Anthony Ewurum slotted the ball past goalkeeper Szentpeteri.
The Stars were reduced to ten men on 76 minutes after Edison Luis Dos Santos received a second yellow card and was therefore was given marching orders by referee Marco Borg.
Substitute Noel Turner went close to equalising with a low shot from outside the area but Simon Agius neutralised his attempt.
Three minutes in added time, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza equalised with a header when served by Josef Mifsud.
A minute later, Sliema notched the winner when Mifsud Triganza concluded a good run on the left flank with a perfect pass for Chakib Lachkhem who hit low past Agius.
Jorge Santos Silva was voted BOV Player of the Match.
Photo: Copyright © www.fotoincmalta.com
SLIEMA Viktor Szentpeteri, Josef Mifsud, Mark Scerri, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, Miguel Ciantar (67’ James Paris), Steve Bezzina, Jackson Lima Sequeira, Chakib Lachkhem, Roderick Bajada (85’ Adam Spiteri), Beppe Muscat, Clayton Failla (80’ Noel Turner).
Subs not used: Ini Etim Aktpan, Julian Briffa, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Ryan Dalli.
Coach: Mark Marlow
Assistant Coach: Joseph Bajada
VITTORIOSA Simon Agius, Anthony Ewurum (89’ Clayton Micallef), Carl Sammut, Sharlon Pace, Jeffrey Chetcuti, Edison Luis Dos Santos, Jonathan Xerri, Jorge Santos Silva, Steve Wellman, Leighton Grech (81’ Dino Cachia), Kevin Mifsud.
Subs not used: Jean Matthias Vella, Justin Camilleri, Johann Spiteri, Larry Lagana, Clifton Piscopo.
Coach: Winston Muscat
Assistant Coach: Darren Abdilla
Referee: Marco Borg
Assistant Referees: Ingmar Spiteri, Mitchell Scerri
Fourth Official: Glenn Tonna
Yellow Cards: Failla, Mifsud, Lachkhem, E. Dos Santos, Bezzina, Chetcuti, Scerri, Wellman
Red Cards: 76’ Edison Luis Dos Santos
Scorers: 18’ Jackson Lima Sequeira (S), 19’ Chakib Lachkhem (S); 30’ Edison Luis Dos Santos pen (V), 45+1’ Jorge Santos Silva (V); 73’ Anthony Ewurum (V); 90+3’ Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (S); 90+4’ Chakib Lachkhem (S)