San Ġiljan risk but win

Leaders and champions San Ġiljan TUM Invest assured themselves of staying the only unbeaten team so far, with the second 9-8 win in a few days, this time against Sirens Greentube.

This was a win that brought to the fore the difficulties of San Ġiljan at the moment, but somehow they are still managing to win, even if their best players are not performing to their level.

Sirens had a turbulent season till now, but the performance of the last two sessions might inspire the team and coach Sasko Popovski to try and turn the season in the play-offs.

San Ġiljan won the first session 2-1 as they had to react after Nicolas Bicari’s opener. Peter Borg equalised and Andreas Galea put his team in front at the end of the session.

The champions looked to cruise past their opponents in the second session as they went 4-1 in front after goals by Andreas Galea and a good goal by Paulo Obradovic. But the goal by Jacob Sciberras in the last seconds before the break, kept Sirens in the game.

San Ġiljan again held the upper hand in the third session and this time took a four-goal lead from the third goal of the game by Galea and Ben Plumpton. The game seemed to be heading towards its closure at that point, but Sirens reacted and scored twice from Bicari and Marc Grech. Peter Borg made it 7-4 but Bicari scored again, a goal that proved to be vital for Sirens to keep fighting for the win.

In fact, Sirens managed to equalise for the first time from two quick goals by Isaiah Riolo as the San Ġiljan defence looked disorganised. Paulo Obradovic put San Ġiljan again in front, and Ben Plumpton doubled the lead from a man-up situation.

But a goal by John Brownrigg few seconds later, assured a tense finish. In their last action, Sirens had a man-up after an exclusion for Matthew Zammit, but they failed to capitalise.

Sirens: N. Grixti, P. Privitera, E. Aquilina, N. Bicari (3), M. Grech (1), I. Riolo (2), C. Mercieca, J. Sciberras (1), J. Napier, G. Sammut, L. Caruana, J. Brownrigg (1), G. Galea Curmi

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, P. Borg (2), A. Galea (3), B. Grech, C. Farrugia, M. Zammit, B. Plumpton (2), Da. Zammit, T. Said, P. Obradovic (2), P. Fava, D. Ciantar, T. Micallef

Referees: Francesco Romolini,