Rampant Slaven ease past Marsaxlokk

Marsaxlokk 0
NK Slaven Koprivnica 4
Kristic 15, Poldrugac 29, Tepuric 33, Vrunica 75

A rampant Slaven Koprivnica side shattered any ambitions Marsaxlokk might have had of earning a positive result from last night's UEFA Cup first qualifying first leg tie at the National Stadium.

Three goals in the space of 18 first-half minutes paved the way for the highly-skilful Croatians to a comfortable victory that practically seals their place in the next round of the competition.

In the build-up to this match, Marsaxlokk officials said their main target was to try and avoid defeat as they wanted to leave the qualification issue open ahead of the second leg at the end of the month.

However, that scenario was never likely to materialise as Slaven completely outplayed Marsaxlokk who were under constant pressure with the result that they were never capable of pushing men forward, let alone creating scoring opportunities.

Slaven displayed all their qualities with their quick-passing football that left Marsaxlokk gasping for breath each time they ventured into the penalty area.

Certainly, on this display Marsaxlokk face a tough return leg in a fortnight's time where they will need to lift their game by several notches if they are to offer a stronger challenge.

A notable absentee yesterday was coach Brian Talbot who was not present for the first leg.

Marsaxlokk officials informed the media that the English coach had skipped the match due to personal reasons but will be available to lead the side for the second leg scheduled for July 31.

In Talbot's absence the team was guided by team manager Peter Hartshorne who opted to include only two foreign players in his starting formation, defender Renato Conceicao and striker Julio Alcorse.

New signing Marcelo Pereira started on the bench.

Slaven took control of the match right from the start as their quick passing of the ball pegged Marsaxlokk in their own area. The visitors hit the target in their first real attempt at goal. That arrived on 15 minutes when they were awarded a free-kick deep into the left channel.

Kristjan Caval drifted a dangerous ball into the area where Matija Kristic had ample time and space to head the ball past Saviour Darmanin.

Rattled by that early setback, Marsaxlokk tried hard to react but found it difficult to come out of their half with the ball at their feet as their poor distribution of passes made it easier for Slaven to recover possession.

On 24 minutes, Darmanin did well to stop Frano Tepuric's long range shot.

More misery was in store for Marsaxlokk as on 29 minutes the visitors doubled their advantage.

Dalibor Poldrugac took possession from 30 metres out and rifled a powerful drive that took a slight deflection off Conceicao before the ball flew past a helpless Darmanin.

Four minutes later and Slaven netted their third goal.

Caval was again the provider when his cross found Tepuric whose dipping header flew into the top corner of the net.

It was all Slaven at this stage and five minutes from the break Poldrugac tried his luck from the distance but his shot went just wide much to the relief of the diving Darmanin.

At the restart, Marsaxlokk looked to add more firepower upfront when the ineffective Mark Barbara was replaced by Pereira.

The second half maintained the same trend though with Slaven's continuous pressing making life difficult for Marsaxlokk to carve out any openings.

On 56 minutes, after a series of short passes, wingback Petar Bosnak found himself in ample space to advance but his rising shot failed to trouble Darmanin.

Slaven were completely in control and 20 minutes from time it had to be a providential block from Carlo Mamo to avoid a fourth goal when the Marsaxlokk wingback pushed away Stjepan Polak's shot that looked destined to hit the back of the net.

The Croats wrapped up the win on 75 minutes when Mario Gregurina put substitute Bojan Vrucina clean through and the former Duisburg forward easily slotted the ball past the advancing Darmanin.

Marsaxlokk threatened two minutes from time when substitute Steve Wellman lobbed the ball into the path of Pereira but the Brazilian was anticipated by Slaven goalkeeper Silvio Rodic.

Marsaxlokk
S. Darmanin, M. Licari, C. Mamo, R. Conceicao, B. Said, K. Sammut, C. Cassar, T. Templeman, G. Sciberras ('76 S. Wellman), M. Barbara ('46 M. Pereira), J. Alcorse ('90 C. Brincat).

Slaven Koprivnica
S. Rodic, P. Bosnak ('63 E. Kokalovic), K. Caval, M. Kristic, K. Rogus, D. Poldrugac, D. Kresinger ('59 B. Vrucina), S. Posavec, S. Polak ('72 S. Lapic), M. Gregurina, F. Tepuric.

Referee: Jan Jilrk (Czech Republic).

Yellow card: Kokalovic.