Tarxien Rainbows collected three precious points in a narrow win over Qormi in a direct clash between two teams desperate for points at the Centenary Stadium on Saturday. A first win for Tarxien after three defeats in the last three outings.
Qormi held the initiative throughout the ninety minutes, creating the better chances, but a goal one minute from time handed the Rainbows the three points. Tarxien join Floriana and St. Andrews on the 9-point mark, leaving Qormi second from bottom on four points. This was in fact Qormi’s fifth consecutive defeat.
Tarxien had three changes from the defeat to Birkirkara as Radu Rogac, Daniel Zerafa, Michele Paolucci replaced Jens Wemmer, Matthew Spiteri, Miguel Ciantar. Qormi, on the other hand, had Nedo Turkovic making his debut. Turkovic and Alan Abela replaced Michael Camilleri and Michael Borg.
The Rainbows scored the all-important goal one minute from time when off a corner from the left, goalkeeper Jamie Azzopardi blocked but Andre Scicluna took the ball off the rebound and headed home.
TARXIEN Andrea Cassar, Radu Rogac, Daniel Zerafa, Michele Paolucci, Gabriel Aquilina (66’ Matthew Brincat), Daren Falzon (89′ Andrew Agius), Andre Scicluna, Stefan Radovanovic, Anderson De Barros, Ricardo Silva Faria (79’ Miguel Ciantar), Alex Nilsson.
Subs not used: Maverick Buhagiar, Matthew Spiteri, Daniel Vassallo, Jacson de Paixao Neponuceno.
Coach: Jose Borg
Asst. Coach: Saviour Debono GrechQORMI Jamie Azzopardi, Nedo Turkovic, Davide Mansi, Yannick Yankam, Seo In Kim (87′ Michael Borg), Alan Abela, Alessio Cassar, Luke Busuttil (77’ Manolito Micallef), Alexsandro Ferreira (70’ Michael Camilleri), Kassiano Soares, Iven Zammit
Subs not used: Dorian Bugeja, Mario Andres Arrieta, Gaetano Gesualdi, Shamison Zammit.
Coach: Brian Spiteri
Asst. Coach: Matthew PsailaReferee: Fyodor Zammit
Assistant Referees: Duncan Sultana, Duncan Spencer
Fourth Official: Darryl Agius
Yellow Cards: Aquilina, Faria, Mansi, De Barros, Alessio Cassar
BOV Player of the Match: Seo In Kim