Superb Bueno too hot for Mqabba

Tarxien Rainbows 4
Bueno 10, 52, 87; Borg 54
Mqabba 2
Muscat 37; Chimezie 56 pen.

Tarxien Rainbows will play either Msida or San Ġwann in the second round of the FA Trophy after a hard-earned 4-2 win over Mqabba yesterday. Perhaps, the only difference between the two sides was Daniel Mariano Bueno who, for the second game in a row, scored a hat-trick for the Rainbows.

The Brazilian was in tremendous form and confirmed that his eye for goal is second to none at the moment in Maltese football. Last week, he scored all three Tarxien goals in a 3-1 Premier League win over Marsaxlokk.

The first half started in pouring rain with both teams opting for constructive football, keeping the ball on the ground and making use of the whole width of the pitch.

But, as expected, Tarxien were technically the better side. However, it has to be said that, after going a goal down, Mqabba showed they can also produce some exhilarating football.

After ten minutes, Tarxien forged ahead when Bueno blasted the ball home from close range following a Steve Sadowski free-kick which was nodded down by Warren Chircop.

Mqabba hit back and a minute later Mead Mifsud's drive from just outside the area was parried away by goalkeeper Sean Cini who was deputising for Anthony Curmi in the Tarxien goal.

Borislav Giorev's side, relegated from the Premier League last season and, ironically, substituted by Tarxien in the top flight, started to play better and move the ball well. It was no surprise when on 37 minutes they were back on level terms.

John Paul Muscat saw the Tarxien keeper slightly off guard and with a magnificent dipper, he beat Cini with the ball lifting the roof of the net.

Tarxien, slowly but steadily, began to raise their game after Muscat's goal and were soon forcing Mqabba in their own area. However, the only dangerous effort they had to show came a minute into first-half added time when Kevin Borg hit a shot from outside the area which just missed the target.

On resumption, Mark Tanti's drive for Tarxien brought the best out of Mqabba keeper Kris Calleja who turned the shot into corner. From the flag-kick, Ivan Carapic headed against the crossbar.

But, on 52 minutes Bueno put Tarxien back in the lead when he hit home from close range, following some good work by Cariaga. Two minutes later, Borg beat Calleja with a dipper from outside the box to make it 3-1.

Mqabba were not ready yet to throw in the towel and came back into the match on 56 minutes when Paul Chimezie scored from a penalty after he was brought down by Carapic.

The Nigerian showed composure from the spot and a minute later he almost drew the teams level but drove the ball just over the bar from 25 metres out.

The match was a typical cup tie with both sides going for goal.

Borg, on loan from Ħamrun Spartans, narrowly missed the target from just outside the area but three minutes from time Bueno made sure of qualification to the next round with a third goal for the Rainbows.

The Brazilian timed his run to perfection to reach a Tanti pass before sliding the ball behind Calleja and into the net.

Tarxien
S. Cini, S. Sadowski (R. Schembri '68), M. Caruana, L. Galea, I. Carapic, P. Sciriha, W. Chircop, M. Tanti, D.M. Bueno ('88 M. Zammit), K. Borg ('81 M. Pisani), R.M. Cariaga.

Mqabba
K. Calleja, M. Bonnici ('90 G. Tanti), P. Grima, M.A. Psaila, S. Magro, D. Azzopardi, P. Chimezie ('90 J. Zammit), C. Calleja, J.P Muscat, M. Mifsud, M. Camilleri ('79 L. Baldacchino).

Referee: Clayton Pisani.

Yellow cards: Bonnici (M); Psaila (M).