No Goals In 'Old Firm' Clash

Floriana 0
Sliema Wanderers 0

Champions Sliema Wanderers and old-time rivals Floriana failed to go beyond a barren stalemate yesterday despite the keen tussle that characterised this encounter.

With the first half void of any action, the two sides stepped up a gear after the interval and created a string of chances on either side that could easily have resulted in at least one goal.

The end result meant that both teams left the pitch without accomplishing their mission. While Sliema were seeking maximum spoils to keep up the pressure at the top of the table, Floriana were desperate for another victory to propel them closer to the Championship Pool.

With only one match left for the Greens until the end of the second round, yesterday's draw did little to quell fears that they will be contesting the dreaded Relegation Pool despite their remarkably strong revival since the start of the second round. This afternoon, Sliema could find themselves four points behind Birkirkara if, as expected, the Stripes beat Mosta at the Tedesco Stadium.

Following a cautious start, Floriana enjoyed their brightest patch in the second half as the team, inspired by the skill and flare of Rufin Oba who made a return to the Greens' fold, pressed hard for the winner.

On their part, Sliema have yet to produce the sparkle that led them to winning three consecutive championship crowns. Although the Blues are bidding for a fourth straight title, the side seems to be suffering from a fatigue syndrome.

Sliema had their first sniff at goal on 12 minutes when Joe Brincat executed a free-kick from the edge of the penalty area that sailed over the bar.

A similar move just after the first quarter nearly rewarded the Blues. Bajada lofted his free-kick deep inside the box for the unmarked Brincat to shift his role from provider to near converter but his quick shot failed to trouble Simon Agius in the Floriana goal.

Jan Artz's lads took longer than anticipated to bother the Sliema rearguard and Murphy Akanji, back in the side, could afford to laze in the sun for the first 20 minutes of play.

Midway through the first half, Adrian Mifsud did well to squeeze a ball towards Trevor Cilia who opted for a volley that flashed wide.

Three minutes from the interval, Brincat tested Agius with another menacing free-kick. The Floriana keeper stretched to the limit to palm the ball away to a corner.

At the start of the second half, Artz opted to introduce Christian Cassar, who has recovered from injury, while Oba took his place in attack.

The Congolese nearly had a dream 'debut' as his first touch of the ball was a calibrated free-kick that narrowly missed the target.

With the Blues found wanting in attack, it was no surprise that coach Edward Aquilina chose to introduce the flare and striking prowess of Danilo Doncic who replaced Ivan Woods at half-time.

On 49 minutes, Alex Muscat dribbled past two defenders but Agius was quick to dive at his feet to clutch the ball to safety before the Sliema defender could conclude the move.

On 68 minutes, Oba failed to get a clear sight of goal and with his first attempt blocked by the defence, fellow substitute Cassar unleashed a shot which only brought a routine save from Akanji.

Inside the last quarter and the Greens almost took the lead. Cilia sprinted down the length of the pitch on the right flank and served Mifsud in the centre of the Sliema box. The striker struggled to control but he still managed to skew a feeble shot that rebounded off the post.

Both teams were now desperate to notch the killer punch and bag maximum spoils. The Wanderers could have sealed the issue eight minutes from time when Doncic lofted the ball towards Daniel Bogdanovic who only managed a weak header that was easily saved by Agius.

The final whistle brought scant smiles, particularly for the Greens. Probably, they now have to hope that other results come their way to make the top six.

Floriana: S. Agius-7.5, J. Briffa-6.5 ('46 C. Cassar-6), I. Azzopardi-6.5, R.M. Gango Rtsa-6.5, I. Ciantar-6.5, M. Caruana-6.5, T. Cilia-7 ('86 K. Formosa), C. Caruana-8, A. Mifsud-6.5, M. Micallef-6 ('46 R. Oba-7), A. Eviparker-6.

Sliema: M. Akanji-6.5, J. Brincat-7.5, A. Muscat-7, M. Di Lello-7, B. Said-6.5, N. Turner-6.5, R. Bajada-6.5 ('72 O. Anonam), J. Chetcuti-6.5, I. Woods-6 ('46 D. Doncic-6.5), S. Giglio-6.5, D. Bogdanovic-6.

Referee: Chris Lautier.

Yellow Cards: Ciantar, Bajada, Gango Rtsa,

BoV Player Of The Match: Joe Brincat (Sliema Wanderers).