Champions Hamrun Spartans were lucky to take home a point in a 1-1 draw with newly-promoted Tarxien Rainbows in a match from the YoHealth Malta Premier Opening Round at the Tony Bezzina Stadium on Saturday.
Tarxien managed to take an early lead and it was only late the game that Hamrun equalised to earn a point from the game.
The Rainbows had no less than ten new players in the starting line-up with Claudio Murici being the only player from last season’s squad to start. In fact, coach Jacques Scerri handed goalkeeper Andrea Cassar, Andreas Vella, Marcus Grima, Luc Zango, Nhayson, Willian Salomão, Tavinho, Tiago Santos, Erico Junior and Jonata a start. Another three new signings – Gabriel Vella, Rafael Tavares and Wallisson Bahia – were included as substitutes.
Seliou Thioune, Vincenzo Polito, Domantas Simkus, Mouad El Fanis and Merlin Hadzi made their league debut for the Spartans along with Ante Coric who was included as a substitute. Coach Giacomo Modica opted to rest a number of players in view of their UEFA commitments but ended up including Ryan Camenzuli and Joseph Mbong as substitutes.
Tarxien managed to take the lead after just four minutes when off a cross by Nhayson, Erico Junior headed home past goalkeeper Celio from close range.
Hamrun levelled matters on 76 minutes when Vincenzo Polito slotted the ball past goalkeeper Andrea Cassar off a free kick by Ante Coric.
Seven minutes in added time, the Rainbows were unlucky not to regain the lead but Claudio Murici’s well-taken free kick hit the crossbar.