Title challengers Luxol St Andrews, Hamrun Spartans, Lija Athletic and Valletta ended matchday 10 of the Gatorade Futsal League on a high note after deserved wins over their respective opponents.
Leaders Luxol beat Swieqi United 6-0 to maintain their two-point lead over second-placed Hamrun. Luxol hit the ground running and managed to score six times from Zvezdan Vukovic, Frane Despotovic, Mark Zammit, Carl Azzopardi, William Barbosa and an own goal. This was Luxol’s tenth victory of the season as they continued to maintain their perfect record.
In an interesting clash Hamrun Spartans had the better of Msida St. Joseph as they beat them 9-4 to keep up the chase behind leaders Luxol. Brazilian duo Raphinha and Rodrigo scored a brace while Michel Melo Jose, Michael Spiteri, Andy Mangion, Joan Losada and Peter Pullicino added more goals for the Spartans. Msida pulled some goals back from a Paulo Mendes da Silva hat-trick and another from Christopher Arturo Navarro.
A superb second-half performance from the Citizens earned them a 9-0 win over Zebbug Rangers.
Jovica Milijic surged Valletta ahead on 3:50 minutes while Spanish Cristian Cuadros Silva doubled the score one minute later. Valletta were in devastating mode in the second half as they were on target seven times through two braces from Denis di Maio and Dylan Musu while Mohammed Elamari, Jurgen Pace and Liam Cachia were also on the scoresheet. Steve Gambin and Andre Mamo replied back for Marsaskala.
Lija had to fight hard to beat the challenge of Mqabba. Although the 10-2 scoreline might prove wrong, Mqabba showed great resilience especially in the first half. Endrit Kaca scored a poker, Nicola del Re and Redeemer Borg netted a brace, while Ebrahim Massoudi and Nikolay Filipov were also on target for Lija. Borja Fernandez and Lydon Baldacchino reduced the score for Mqabba.
Eslam Khalifa struck a hat-trick as Sliema Wanderers maintained their chances for a top six finish after a hard-earned 4-2 win over Mdina.
In another match Sirens climbed eighth in the table after a 5-2 victory over Marsascala while Qrendi obtained their second victory of the season after seeing off Gozo 4-2.
STANDINGS: Luxol 30, Hamrun 28, Valletta 25, Lija 24, Swieqi 21, Msida 16, Sliema 15, Sirens 13, Zebbug 12, Qrendi, Mqabba, Mdina, Marsascala 6, Gozo 0.