Futsal: Comfortable wins for top teams

Valletta joined Hamrun Spartans and Luxol St. Andrews at the summit of the Gatorade Futsal League standings after outclassing Msida St. Joseph 9-3.

It was a classic encounter between two teams that managed to win the first three matches of the season and this was considered as the match of the week. The Citizens dominated the first half especially when attacking fiercely in front of goal to expose Msida’s defensive frailties.
On the other hand, the Saints relied on some effective counter-attacks that at times resulted effective.

Jovica Milijic, Mohammed Elamari, Denis di Maio and Dylan Musu’s double strikes together with Jurgen Pace were the goal-getters for the Citizens. A Floren Manea brace and a goal from Armando Gjepali reduced the score for Msida.

Champions Luxol obtained their fourth win of the campaign after hammering Mqabba 9-2.
Mqabba’s task was hampered by doubles from Mark Zammit, Frane Despotovic and William Barbosa while Zvezdan Vukovic, Glenn Bonello and Clint Cope got the other goals.

Lija Athletic recorded the biggest win of the week after a mammoth 14-2 victory over Marsaskala. A win which enabled Lija to return to winning ways after their previous upset against Luxol. A hat-trick each for Chavi Montes Burgos, Luke Stivala and Kurt Bartolo paved the way for the Athletic’s emphatic victory at the Corradino Pavilion. Nicola del Re netted a brace while Redeemer Borg, Zeljko Anicic and Darren Aitchinson also put their names on the score sheet. Daryl Muscat and Steve Gambin scored Marsaskala’s consolation goals.

Title seekers Hamrun Spartans also won by a massive margin after a 12-1 rout of basement team Gozo. Michel Melo Jose scored a poker for the winners as Raphinha helped himself to a hat-trick. George Frendo, Rodrigo, Jason Mifsud, Daniel Mifsud and Ibrahim Tarik were also among the scorers for the Spartans. Jamie Abdilla scored Gozo’s solitary goal.

Zebbug Rangers had the better of Sliema Wanderers 5-4 while Swieqi United returned to winning ways as they eased past Qrendi 7-3. Meanwhile Sirens registered their second consecutive victory after a 5-3 win over Mdina Knights.

STANDINGS:
Ħamrun, Valletta, Luxol 12, Swieqi, Msida 9, Lija, Mdina, Zebbug, Sirens 6, Sliema, Mqabba 3, Qrendi, Gozo, Marsascala 0.