Sirens and Zebbug Rangers earned a point each in an entertaining 3-3 draw in a clash between two teams eager for points at the National Stadium on Friday.
This draw means that Sirens join Valletta on the five-points mark as they now share the foruth place from bottom, staying one point ahead of Zebbug who now lie one point ahead of Pieta’ and three ahead of Santa Lucia.
Zebbug took the lead on the 9th minute when Almir Soto sent Charles Lokoli Ngoy through and the latter beat two defenders on the run before sliding the ball from underneath the goalkeeper.
Sirens were quick to react, levelling matters on the 10th minute when Paulo Vyctor Bento served Sean Cipriott whose long-distance shot beat goalkeeper Jamie Azzopardi.
The Rangers regained the lead on the 17th minute when Stanimir Miloskovic served Charles Lokoli Ngoy on the edge of the area and the latter’s shot was slightly deflected by Gabriel Fernandes Ventura past goalkeeper Andrea Cassar.
Zebbug extended the lead seven minutes from the end of the first half when off a cross by Almir Soto from the right, the ball was not held by the Sirens goalkeeper and Charles Lokoli Ngoy placed the ball at the back of the net.
Six minutes in the second half, Sirens reduced the gap when following a good move between Rei Tachikawa, Paulo Vyctor Bento and Degran Jackson, the Jamaican served Tachikawa whose conclusion was intercepted by Wilker Rocha Santos who deflected the ball past goalkeeper Jamie Azzopardi for an own goal.
The St. Paul’s Bay side restored equilibrium on the 68th minute when off a Gabriel Fernandes Ventura cross from the right, Paulo Vyctor Bento do Vale headed the ball home past Azzopardi.