Sirens edge Neptunes in tight final

Sirens 7
Neptunes 6
(2-1, 1-1, 2-2, 2-2)

A superb all-round performance by 2X Sirens enabled them to win the 2006 KO competition at the expense of newly-crowned champions Nep-tunes Vodafone in a 'battle of tactics' at the National Pool yesterday.

Despite only winning by the odd goal in 13, Sirens clearly deserved their success. John Farrugia's men played with more composure to finally gain some consolation after their failure to successfully defend the championship they won last year.

Goalkeeper Joe Caruana Dingli played a blinder for Sirens while Paul Privitera and the rejuvenated Tamas Marcz dictated play to keep Nep-tunes, seeking a clean sweep of all four major honours this year, at bay.

Both sides opted for man-to-man marking. As a consequence, the two goalkeepers had to be alert all the time to thwart any danger from long-range shooting.

In fact, both Caruana Dingli and Nicky Gouder contributed to a low-scoring result with the former Malta no.1 confirming that he is still one of the best in the local game despite his veteran age.

Niki Lanzon gave Neptunes the lead midway through the first session but Privitera levelled the scores with a well-taken goal. Charlie Zammit followed suit to put Sirens ahead at the end of the first session.

Marking became tighter as the second session got underway and it needed a fast break from Lanzon to make it 2-2 only for Privitera to put Sirens back in front.

Juergen Borg made it 4-2 for Sirens early in the third session but the St Paul's Bay team's two-goal lead was annulled when Michele Stellini and Steve Camilleri had the better of Caruana Dingli. Sirens were not demoralised and kept their noses in front with a Karl Montfort lob.

Tension increased in the final session. Matthew Pisani made it five-all, extra-time looked a possibility.

But Sirens kept their cool despite having the useful Montfort out with Neptunes enjoying a man-up set at a crucial stage of the match.

Coach Sergio Afric called for a time-out but Neptunes failed to capitalise on the situation. Seconds later, the Reds again failed to score from another numerical advantage.

Neptunes, winners of the 2005 KO, paid dearly for their misses as Privitera made it 6-5 and then Marcz scored from a close angle to put Sirens within touching distance of success.

Camilleri scored for Neptunes in a frantic finale with Afric opting for a time-out with a handful of seconds to go. But the Reds' desperate charge failed to produce a goal as Sirens held on for their seventh KO success.

Despite the upset, the final was still a memorable one for Dubravko Simenc. The Croat is expected to retire after an illustrious career with various clubs and his national team.

Sirens: J. Caruana Dingli, T. Debono, N. Cassar, P. Privitera 3, C. Zammit 1, J. Valletta, J. Borg 1, D. Cutajar, K. Montfort 1, T. Marcz 1, C. Mercieca, R. Attard, J. Sammut.

Neptunes: N. Gouder, N. Lanzon 2, T. Agius, D. Simenc, E. Cachia, J. Brownrigg, S. Camilleri 2, L. Attard, D. Camilleri, K. Galea, A. Sammut, M. Stellini 1, M. Pisani 1.

Refs: I. Sciriha, L. Bianco.