Ten-man Sliema hold for a draw

Sliema Wanderers 0
Maccabi Netanya 0

Sliema Wanderers maintained the country's positive trend in the Europa League competition this season after a goalless draw against Israeli side Maccabi Netanya in yesterday's second qualifying round, first leg at the Centenary Stadium.

It was an all-round positive and disciplined display from the Wanderers who, after sharing the exchanges with Maccabi for much of the match, had to play the last 31 minutes with ten men following the dismissal of defender Josef Mifsud.

Coach Stephen Azzopardi was a satisfied man at the final whistle, having seen his charges playing with purpose against the methodic Maccabi side and, had the Blues been more incisive up front, they could have scored a valuable goal that would have put them in a better position ahead of next week's second leg away.

Azzopardi, who had club veteran Noel Turner as assistant coach yesterday, was boosted by the news that striker Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza had recovered from a neck injury and was included in the starting formation.

Maccabi took control of proceedings from the outset with their slick passing game characterising the opening stages as the visitors waited patiently to try and find some space in an organised Sliema defence.

Shalev Menashe came close to an opener after four minutes when his stinging drive from the distance almost surprised Simon Agius but the goalkeeper held out the shot in two attempts.

Sliema's first attempt at goal arrived on 11 minutes, when from a Clayton Failla corner, the ball fell into the path of Mifsud whose fierce volley flew over.

Menashe threatened again on 17 minutes, his free-kick was only partially blocked by Agius. From the rebound, Ahmad Sabaa saw his shot cleared off the line by defender Lucian Dronca.

Sliema came more into the picture as the minutes ticked away.

On the half-hour, Mifsud Triganza almost put Alex Muscat clean through but the Sliema wingback was anticipated by Maccabi goalkeeper Daniel Lifshitz.

Nine minutes from the break Sabaa fed Almog Cohen who sprinted into the Blues' box but his grounder flashed wide.

Two minutes from half-time, Agius dived full stretch to keep out Sabaa's insidious shot.

Sliema looked the better side at the start of the second half and on 49 minutes Ryan Fenech did well to win possession just outside the area before a clever pass to Muscat who, however, miscued his effort from a good position.

The Wanderers' hopes suffered a blow on 59 minutes when Mifsud clashed with Menashe in an innocuous off-the ball incident before a Maccabi free-kick was taken and referee Veaceslav Banari dished out a red card to dismiss the Sliema defender.

Despite being a man down, the hosts were again close on 66 minutes when Mifsud Triganza won possession in midfield before firing a rasping drive that forced Lifshitz into a difficult save.

At the other end, Orel Dgani almost opened the score but his shot flashed past the Sliema upright.

Sabaa should have put Maccabi in front, however, 17 minutes from time when he found himself in ample space inside the Sliema area but lost his balance with only Agius to beat.

Eight minutes from time, Agius came to Sliema's rescue with a fine reflex save to keep out Menashe's shot from inside the six-yard box.

Maccabi piled up the pressure on the Wanderers in the final stages but Azzopardi's men held on to a merited draw.

This was a fourth positive result in the Europa League for Maltese teams this summer following Valletta's victory (3-0) and a draw (2-2) against Keflavik and Birkirkara's stalemate at home to Slaven Belupo (0-0).

Sliema Wanderers
S. Agius, A. Muscat ('58 J. Mintoff), I. Azzopardi, J. Mifsud, R. Fenech, M. Scerri, I. Woods, L. Dronca, I. Ciantar, J.P. Mifsud Triganza ('73 C. Gatt Baldacchino), C. Failla ('79 M. Bartolo).

Maccabi Netanya
D. Lifshitz, K. Saban, M. Samia, Z. Haimovich, O. Dgani, A. Cohen, R. Gazal, S. Menashe, F. Magharbeh ('52 S. Goeta), B. Yampolsky ('70 A. Vaisberg), A. Sabaa.

Referee: V. Banari (Moldova).

Yellow cards: Mifsud Triganza, Samia, Fenech, Bartolo.

Red card: Mifsud (S) 59.