Sliema Wanderers 2
Mintoff 28; Woods 68
Valletta 0

The air of optimism in the Sliema Wanderers camp was further enriched yesterday as the Blues ended their Euro Cup commitments with a 2-0 victory over Valletta.

Goals from John Mintoff and Ivan Woods ensured that Sliema ended this pre-season tournament unbeaten and inflicted a second defeat in three outings for Valletta who paid the price for some sloppy defending as well as their failure to translate their superior possession into clearcut openings.

The Citizens dominated large swathes of possession but the cautious Sliema defended valiantly and hurt their opponents with quick counter-attacks.

After falling behind in the first half, Valletta made a strong rally and looked capable of wiping out Mintoff's opener.

The introduction of Geert den Ouden, a towering Dutch forward who has agreed to join Valletta, raised the spirits of the City fans but a defensive blunder gifted Sliema a second goal.

Despite winning by two clear goals, Sliema were not guaranteed success in this competition as Hibs, who met Birkirkara in the second match, were still in contention to finish top, albeit on goal difference.

Den Ouden, who landed in Malta only a couple of hours before kick-off, started on the bench but fellow Dutchman Jordi Cruyff sat out yesterday's match.

Sliema also had a new name on their teamsheet yesterday, Daniel Milovanovic. The Serbian trialist was named among the substitutes.

The Citizens set the early pace but they often resorted to long crosses which posed little danger to Sliema.

On 20 minutes, Gilbert Agius swung over a good cross from a free-kick but Luke Dimech headed over.

Sliema had to wait until the 26th minute to fashion their first attempt. Ivan Woods's curling free-kick was deflected away for a corner.

This proved to be the prelude to Sliema's goal which came against the run of play. Mifsud Triganza delivered a cross-shot. Andrew Hogg touched the ball but could not hold as the sprinting Mintoff lunged forward to stab the ball home.

The Citizens could have gained parity immediately but for a fine save from Simon Agius from Falzon's well-hit volley.

Valletta threatened again on the stroke of half-time. Gilbert Agius's low cross from a corner seeped through a posse of blue-shirted players and into the path of Briffa whose effort was blocked for a corner by Sliema.

Less than two minutes into the second half, Jamie Pace pounced on a mishit clearance just outside the Sliema box and hit a shot that was pawed away by Agius.

In an isolated breakaway, Sliema almost made it 2-0 but Hogg sprinted out of goal to close down Roderick Bajada.

Agius, the Sliema goalkeeper, thwarted Priso when rushing out to nudge the ball away from the sprinting City forward.

Valletta's evening took a turn for the worse when, midway into the second half, a defensive error resulting from bad communication between Kenneth Scicluna and Hogg left the way clear for Woods to deposit the ball into an empty net.

A fluid City move opened up Sliema as Den Ouden darted into the box and squared to Gilbert Agius who looked odds-on to score but his low shot came off a Sliema defender.

In no time, Agius had slipped a through-ball to Den Ouden but the latter's effort was repelled by Agius.

With 10 minutes left, Agius saved a header from Den Ouden. At the other end, Mifsud Triganza threatened to inflict more misery on Valletta but the former Birkirkara forward was dragged off balance by Dimech who conceded a free-kick just outside the box. Bajada skewed his free-kick high and wide.

Sliema Wanderers
S. Agius, A. Muscat, R. Fenech, J. Mifsud, J.P. Mifsud Triganza ('88 C. Gatt Baldacchino), M. Bartolo ('62 D. Milovanovic), I. Woods, L. Dronca, I. Ciantar, J. Mintoff ('41 R. Bajada), C. Failla.

Valletta
A. Hogg, J. Grioli ('63 G. Den Ouden), L. Dimech, K. Scicluna, S. Bezzina, E. Agius, J. Pace ('75 S. Giglio), R. Briffa, G. Agius, D. Falzon ('71 I. Zammit), D. Priso.

Referee: Clayton Pisani.

Yellow cards: Mifsud; Failla; Priso; Mifsud Triganza; Dimech.

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