Sliema prevail in tight final

Sliema McDonald's 7
Sirens Hard Rock Cafe 5
(1-1, 4-2, 0-1, 2-1)

Sliema McDonald's made up for their league disappointment by winning the Division One KO competition for the 22nd time in their history. The Blues showed resilience and won a tightly-fought contest through better use of varying tactical ploys against a below par Sirens Hard Rock Cafe.

The turning point of the match came following a timely decision by Sliema coach Igor Gocanin. With less than a minute to go, and with Sliema leading 6-5 and only eight seconds left for their possession, Gocanin called a time-out.

The Blues pushed everyone forward in the Sirens zone and win a crucial penalty thanks to their press game.

Tamas Varga took the penalty to finish off Sirens' hopes of retaining the trophy.

After a period of studying each other with both sides opting for rigid man-marking tactics, it was Tomas Marcz, of Sirens, who opened the score midway through the first session but Sliema hit back with captain Clint Debono when Paul Privitera was out.

Play was more open in the second session with Sliema taking advantage when it was Privitera, again, who was sent off. Varga made it 2-1.

This was Sliema's best patch and Edward Aquilina, from six metres out, scored a sizzler. With four minutes and 10 seconds gone of the second session Debono made it 4-1 from an acute angle.

Varga was expelled and Karl Montfort scored for Pierre Borg's side to infuse fresh hopes in his team.

Privitera, notwithstanding his two personal faults, was moving more forward and managed to score after finding some space outside the four-metre zone. But Sliema scored again with 46 seconds to go, through Daniel Paolella when David Cutajar was out.

With the score reading 5-3 in Sliema's favour, Sirens needed to lift their game but play was scrappy with both sides committing several errors, particularly in attack.

Sirens and Sliema missed a man-up situation each as the only positive note in the third session came from Sirens when with two minutes 18 seconds left, Juergen Borg scored a superb goal, leaving goalkeeper Josie Cachia helpless.

The fourth and final session was vital. Former Sirens stalwart Jonathan Valletta made it 6-4 but Clint Mercieca gave Sirens a lifeline.

Then Sliema's experience paid off and Varga's penalty sealed it for the Ghar id-Dud boys.

The best side won on the day also courtesy of a better record in man-ups, scoring four times from seven while Sirens only managed to score once from six.

After the match, Wilkinson Sword Marketing Manager Lara Scicluna and ASA president Robbie Ebejer presented the KO trophy to Sliema captain Clint Debono.

Sliema: J. Cachia, C. Gialanze, N. Lubrano, M. Rizzo, M. Meli, J. Soler, T. Varga 2, J. Valletta 1, C. Debono 2, E. Aquilina 1, D. Paolella 1, J. Gabaretta, A. Bianchi.

Sirens: A. Grech, P. Fava, T. Marcz 1, P. Privitera 1, J. Rizzo Naudi, R. Xerri, J. Borg 1, D. Cutajar, K. Montfort 1, C. Zammit, C. Mercieca 1, R. Attard, E. Arrigo.

Refs: M. Dalli, M. De Chiara.