MELITA 1ST DIV LEAGUE

LIONS TURN A DEFEAT INTO A VICTORY

(N. Filipov 54’, F. de Andrade 58’)

P. Galea, M. Formosa, B. Njoku, M. Azzopardi, N. Micallef, F. Debono, J. Camilleri, F. de Andrade,N. Filipov, S. Rais (R. Farrugia), J. Portelli.

(C. Bugeja 15’)

J. Xuereb, C. Mercieca, A. Fotso, P. Camilleri, J. Xerri (J. Azzopardi), J. Vella, C. Bugeja, C. Camilleri, M. Xerri (P. Rapa), J. Cefai, I. Mahmoud.

  Sannat Lions turned a defeat into a victory with second half goals in their match against Xewkija Tigers to recover their ambitions to keep with the top positions on the table.  On the other hand this was Xewkija’s third defeat in the championship and therefore they are still seeking to obtain their first point in the campaign. 

  The match was well contested as each side prevailed over the opponent for a half each.  The strong wind conditioned play but ironically the two sides performed better when they were playing against the direction of the wind.  Both Sannat and Xewkija had a player sent off during the match but this did not have any affect on the final result.  Sannat’s win matured with a good performance after the break as they managed to turn the result in their favour and to administer the lead until the final whistle.  Xewkija compromised the result during the first part of the second period and left their reaction when it was too late in the match.  Xewkija had Ibrahim Mahmoud making a return in the starting line up, while Sannat had Fernando de Andrade who was back in squad after a suspension.  The Lions were once again without the service of skipper Mark Muscat due to an injury.

  Sannat tried to take command of play from the very beginning but the Tigers were well deployed at their defense and also operated with counter breaks.  In the 5^th minute an effort by Chris Camilleri following a solo effort ended just wide.  Xewkija opened the score in the 15^th minute.  Sannat’s rearguard failed to clear a cross from the left flank by Joseph Cefai and Christian Bugeja took advantage to place easily in goal.  Sannat were shocked and failed to produce a good reaction.  Xewkija were again dangerous in the 25^th minute through a shot by Chris Camilleri that ended high.  Sannat replied two minutes later through an effort by John Camilleri that missed the target. 

  On 36 minutes Sannat were again dangerous through a strike by Jason Portelli following a clearance by the defense that ended high.  In the third minute of stoppage time before half time Xewkija had Christian Bugeal sent off for abusive language.

  After the resumption Sannat came out in a better shape and in the 49^th minute Xewkija’s goalie Jonathan Xuereb saved a low shot by John Camilleri from a cross by Fernando de Andrade.  One minute later the same Camilleri headed over the crossbar a cross from the right by Frank Debono.  Sannat’s numerical superiority lasted only until the 51^st minute as they were also reduced to ten players when Mario Azzopardi was shown a second yellow card.  However, Sannat were not demoralized and one minute later Xewkija’s goalie Xuereb was called to block another attempt by John Camilleri.  Sannat’s efforts were rewarded on 54 minutes.  Xewkija’s rearguard failed to clear the danger from a corner action and finally Nikolai Filipov netted with a low shot.  Sannat kept insisting and they turned the result in their favour four minutes later as Fernando de Andrade released himself with a fine move at the edge of the area and placed in goal with a good shot.  The Tigers had a good reaction and on the hour of play Sannat’s goalie Paul Galea blocked a low shot by Chris Camilleri.  The same Camilleri had a number of other good shots that ended just wide.  On 70 minutes Sannat replied with an attempt by John Camilleri that just missed the target and one minute later it was Xewkija’s Ibrahim Mahmoud who had a low shot that ended wide.  In the 78^th minute Sannat’s Benneth Njoku risked an own goal when he headed on the crossbar a free kick by Chris Camilleri.  Four minutes later Sannat’s John Camilleri had a low shot from a through pass by Fernando de Andrade that ended wide and in an immediate.  Xewkija’s last opportunity to save the result arrived seven minutes from time but an effort by Ibrahim Mahmoud was blocked by goalie Paul Galea.   

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