Futsal: Comfortable wins for top teams

The top teams registered comfortable wins as expected as another round of the Gatorade Futsal League was played at the Corradino Pavillion.

Champions Luxol scored very much at will to dump Gozo FC 24-0, t hus keeping up the usual one-sided affairs in the first phase of the competition. A dominant approach heralded Luxol’s whitewashing victory as they opened their goal-scoring spree very early in the match. William Barbosa scored nine, Carl Azzopardi hit the target six times, Clint Cope, Mark Zammit and Zvezdan Vukovic marked a brace while Celino Alves, Florin Anton, Glenn Bonello, Matthew Attard added more goals for Luxol.

A twelve-goal spurt by Hamrun Spartans in the second half laid the basis for a comfortable 18-2 victory over Mdina Knights. Top scorer Raphinha scored six goals, Michel Melo Jose hit a treble, George Frendo and Andy Mangion scored a brace while Joan Losada Teruel, Peter Pullicino, Rodrigo Ticz Patricio and Robert Fenech also participated in Hamrun’s goal scoring spree. Kurt Drakard, after netting an own goal, found the time to score the Knights’ consolation goal together with Ryan Micallef to close the gap to a final 18-2 scoreline.

Valletta recorded a 13-0 win against Marsaskala. The Lilywhites’ goals came from four braces by Denis di Maio, Mohammed Elamari, Jurgen Pace and Xavier Saliba as Dylan Musu, Melvin Borg, Ricardo Ortega Toro, Jovica Milijic and Daniel Brincat were also on the mark.

Lija Athletics continued their positive track as they saw off Sirens 9-2. Endrit Kaca, Ebrahim Massoudi netted a brace as Gary Inguanez, Kurt Bartolo, Redeemer Borg, Nicola del Re and Nikolay Filipov were also on the mark for the Athletics. Leonard Zammit and Antoine Galea reduced the gap for Sirens.

On the other hand, Swieqi United strengthened their intentions for a top six placing in the standings after back-to-back victories over Mdina (12-1) and Msida (6-2). Boicho Marev, Gabor Balan and Christian Wismayer resulted Swieqi’s inspirational players as they hit important goals to push forward Kenneth Fiteni’s team. Ryan Micallef reduced the arrears for Mdina.

Meanwhile, Aleksandar Ribic capped a stunning performance as he helped Sliema Wanderers beat Mqabba 5-3.

Zebbug Rangers registered their second win in a row after an exciting 9-8 scoreline.

STANDINGS: Luxol 27, Hamrun 25, Valletta 22, Swieqi, Lija 21, Msida 16, Sliema, Zebbug 12, Sirens 10, Mqabba, Mdina, Marsascala 6, Qrendi 3, Gozo 0.