The Malta Independent on Sunday
Balzan and Sliema fire blanks
Football - BOV Premier League
Both teams went into this game with contrasting fortunes. Sliema had a romp against Naxxar Lions while Balzan were surprisingly defeated by St Andrews before the international break.
Balzan gave a debut start to 31year-old Brazilian attacking midfielder Carlos Mendes, better known as Cadu’, in the absence of Ryan Fenech, who seemed not fully fit. Milos Lepovic played in front of the defence as Jacob Borg sat on the bench.
Sliema also had a Brazilian forward making his debut yesterday.
Jefferson De Assis played in attack in place of Frank Temile. Another Sliema newcomer, Edmond Agius, joining from Birkirkara, also made a substitute appearance at the start of the second half. Matias Muchardi was given the nod ahead of John Mintoff.
Balzan started promisingly enough, troubling their opponents along their flanks. It was clear Sliema were having difficulty dealing with the high balls raked inside their area. On the quarter hour, the Sliema defence failed to clear an Effiong cross from the left and the unmarked Mendes shot narrowly wide, with the ball probably having a slight deflection off Bianchardi.
De Assis showed up for Sliema on 20 minutes as he ran inside the Balzan area from the left but blazed his effort across the face of goal.
Four minutes later, the Brazilian won a penalty for the Wan- derers. As he chased a long Xuereb clearance, he was felled by Balzan Serrano’s late tackle inside the area. Captain Muscat failed to put his side ahead though.
His feeble shot from the spot was saved by the Balzan keeper Janjusevic.
The action was evenly balanced for the remainder of the first half with neither side creating any goal scoring opportunities.
Balzan were again the first to threaten after the interval. On 52 minutes, Mendes’ free kick from the edge of the area was held out by the Sliema keeper Sarao, Effiong headed the rebound but Bianchardi cleared.
Sliema also had their chances. Towards the hour, De Assis was put through by Muscat. He ran inside the area but his shot was turned into a corner by keeper Janjusevic.
The game was evenly poised at this point and both coaches were aware something had to change.
Sliema put in Frank Temile for Spiteri as Balzan effected a double substitution, introducing Ryan Fenech and Alex Alves for Lepovic and Effiong.
That livened up the contest as Balzan created some good opportunities to break the deadlock.
On 70 minutes Sliema defender Muscat miskicked his clearance on a Ryan Fenech shot but keeper Sarao was alert and saved.
Three minutes later, a Mendes corner from the left rebounded off the innerside of the far post, the ball was held out by Sarao but Kaljevic hit horrendously over from close range.
Suddenly Sliema found themselves having to deal with Balzan’s pressure. An Alves effort was deflected into a corner and five minutes from time, Kaljevic had his cross shot hitting the foot of the post before Ljubomirac shot against the side netting.
For all the huffing and puffing, the stalemate prevailed.