The Malta Independent on Sunday
Andre Scicluna late goal gives Tarxien Rainbows something to smile about
Tarxien scored late in the game but it was all that they played for gaining three valuable points in their quest to climb up the ladder.
It was a tight match with neither side giving much space though Qormi were slightly better with the Rainbows having the last laugh.
Both teams were desperate for points aware of their league position and the match being billed as a six pointer match. The Rainbows went into this game on a negative run of three consecutive defeats againts Sliema, Hibernians and Birkirkara respectively.
On the other hand, the only sight of victory for Qormi dates back to August when they won their first match of the season. But from then onwards, they succumbed to various negative results amongst them four consecutive defeats in their last outings against Valletta, Floriana, Gzira and St. Andrew’s.
Brian Spiteri had to do without the suspended Tensior Gusman but he welcomed back Gaetano Gesualdi who however didn’t make the starting 11. Jose’ Borg had Michele Paolucci back after serving out his suspension.
Tarxien were first to threaten when in the 7th minute a Gabriel Aquilina free kick caused havoc in the opposing area but Faria’s final shot was easy prey for Azzopardi.
Two minutes later, Qormi responded through a Kim free kick with Yankam arriving on the ball before goalkeeper Cassar, his header being cleared off the fatal line.
On 13 minutes, Luke Busuttil saw his shot sail just over the bar. And in the 19th minute in a swift counter attack Aquilina set Falzon but his cross towards Paolucci from the right flank was blocked on time by Azzopardi.
In the 21st minute another Kim inswinger from a set piece found Soares but his conclusion was blocked with the Qormi forwards protesting for an alleged hand ball. And six minutes later Falzon headed over the bar following a good cross from Radovanovic.
On the half hour mark, Ferreira tried his luck with a shot from the edge of the area but missed the target. Eight min- utes from the break a Nillson shot from just outside the box hit the side rigging.
And on 41 minutes the best chance of the half came the Rainbows way when Faria supplied a good cross but Falzon’s headed effort was palmed onto a corner by Azzopardi.
Qormi started the second half brightly and on 50 minutes an acute shot by Ferreira was turned into a corner by Cassar. On the hour Ferreira tested Cassar once again but the latter was alert turning his shot into a corner.
And a minute later, on the other end, Tarxien went close to breaking the deadlock when Nilsson found Aquilina but his central shot was blocked by Azzopardi. Qormi responded through Kim whose shot on the run hit the upright.
Tarxien could have forged ahead 12 minutes from time with Paolucci setting De Barros but Alan Abela came to his side’s rescue by clearing off the line.
The all important goal arrived a minute from the end when goalkeeper Azzopardi failed to clear with the ball falling into Andre Scicluna’s path who headed with ease.