Marsaxlokk found no difficulty in disposing off newly-promoted Naxxar Lions, beating them 5-1 at the Centenary Stadium on Friday. A match which kicked-off the BOV Premier League 2023/24.
Led by new coach Winston Muscat, Marsaxlokk had just two players from last year’s squad in the starting line-up – Marko Drobnjak and Leandro Aguirre with five new foreigners making their debut along with Daniel Zerafa, Nikolai Muscat, Gary Camilleri and Jacob Walker. Naxxar had six Brazilian players making their debut along with Matthias Debono and Nikolai Muscat who joined the club on loan from Hamrun Spartans.
Marsaxlokk took the lead on the 15th when Anthony Obonogwu chested the ball down for Yuri Messias who hit low past goalkeeper Matthias Debono.
Seven minutes from the end of the first half, the Southseasiders doubled the score courtesy of Nikolai Muscat who hit home past Debono following a cross from the right.
Ten minutes in the second half, Yuri released Fernando Jose Gomes Junior inside the area and the latter slotted the ball past Debono.
Three minutes later, Naxxar reduced the gap courtesy of Pablo Augusto Servo de Carvalho, sent through by Elizeu, who beat Drobnjak with an angled shot from the right.
Marsaxlokk restored a three-goal lead on the 70th minute when the Naxxar rear-guard failed to clear a freekick from the right and substitute Sunday Akinbule hit hard past the Naxxar custddian.
Yuri Messias made it 5-1 for Marsaxlokk with a low shot from inside the area.