Sliema win ‘Old Firm’ clash with early Mucciardi goal
M. Grech P. Wleh M. Saleh E. Ruiz S. Pisani I Varela J. Cabral C. Failla A. Cini (J. Pisani 69’) H. Arthur Oyama E. Marcelina
Referee: Asst Referees: 4th Official: Scorer: Yellow cards:
Matthew Degabriele Alan Camilleri, William Debattista Malcolm Spiteri M. Mucciardi 16’ A. Cini, S. Pisani, R. Fenech, E. Marcelina, G. Adamovic, C. Failla, N. Ashong, J. Pisani Mattias Mucciardi (Sliema Wanderers) 1. F. Temile, 2. M. Mucciardi, 3. J. De Assis 672
Player of the match: TMI Top 3: Attendance:
Chris Cassar
A Mattias Mucciardi goal in the first quarter of the match decided this ‘Old Firm’ clash in Sliema’s favour. Although this clash lost much of its importance it had till the late seventies, it still brought a relatively good amount of supporters
to the stadium.
The Wanderers fully deserved this victory as they carried on where they left against the champions in their last outing. They had the better chances hitting the posts twice apart from a near complete dominance in the first half.
The Greens lifted theirlevel of play in the second period but are still from their best form and this second consecutive defeat should bring on the alarms for coach Chiesa and the rest of the Floriana staff.
For the Blues this was the second consecutive victory as John Buttigieg’s four-three-three outfit is surely proving to be a solid block. It is still too early to judge but the Wanderers mean business this season and can be cosidered as contenders for the title victory.
Mucciardi played a great game apart from the goal scored, with Temile and Jefferson De Assis devastating at times, and with French import Younes Marzouk showing fine skills especially in the first part.
Malta international striker Jean Paul Farrugia was again introduced late in the game but he almost left his mark hitting the upright in the final minutes.
Sliema’s first move on three minutes with Temile passing towards Mucciardi whose effort was blocked. On 16 minutes Sliema took the lead. It was a fast break by the Wanderers with the Greens caught outnumbered at the back. Marzouk passed towards De Assis whose shot was blocked by a defender with the ball coming in Mucciardi’s path who fired home from close range.
Three minutes later Sliema missed a glorious chance when Temile, put through by Marzouk, crossed towards De Assis whose shot from close range was providentially blocked by Failla.
On 24 minutes Failla floated a good cross from the left but Wleh’s header sailed over the bar. On 33 minutes Sliema again close with a Mucciardi freekick smashing against the crossbar. Sixty seconds from the break Sliema had another opportunity when Temile’s freekick was headed by De Assis towrds Marzouk whose first timer was well blocked by Grech.
On the resumption Floriana looked more aggressive but the Blues went close again with a Mucciardi shot cleared by defender Ruiz. On 61 minutes Floriana had a good opportunity with a Cabral freekick brilliantly saved by Jake Galea.
Floriana continued to press in search of the equaliser and had the best move on 70 minutes with Varela’s effort just missing the base of the upright. Ten minutes from time on the other end an Edmond Agius first timer just missed the target.
In the dying minutes of the game Sliema missed two incredible chances in front of goal with substitute Farrugia hitting the upright and with Mucciardi missing an easy chance in front of goal.
Standings
Sliema Gzira Hamrun Tarxien Hibernians Birkirkara Qormi Mosta St. Andrews Pieta Hotspurs Balzan Valletta Floriana Senglea A. P W D 2 2 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 2 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 L 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 F A Pts 4 0 6 4 1 3 2 0 3 6 5 3 2 1 3 1 0 3 1 0 3 3 3 3 4 6 3 1 2 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0