Camilo extends Qormi's dream

Msida St Joseph 0
Qormi 3

Camilo da Silva Sanvezzo announced himself to Maltese football by scoring the winning goal in Qormi's win over Sliema last month. The quick-footed Brazilian yesterday added to his reputation when scoring all three in Qormi's emphatic dismissal of Msida.

Camilo's pace and running proved too much for the generous, but mediocre, Msida who were outclassed in their first match since the team was re-instated in the top flight to replace demoted Vittoriosa Stars.

If Qormi added credence to growing optimism about their potential to challenge for a top-six placing, Msida's performance exposed their limitations.

Mark Marlow, the Saints coach, had various newcomers in his starting XI, namely Serbian midfielder Zoran Levnaic, Argentine forward Emiliano Lattes, Cedric Sciberras, Ryan Xuereb and Neville Arpa.

Nigerian striker Olushola Aganun, Msida's latest signing, had to sit out the match as his international transfer certificate has not yet arrived.

Sharlon Pace was the only notable absentee from Qormi's line-up. His place was taken by Roderick Sammut.

Qormi started the match in vibrant mode. Steve Wellman's powerful drive from the distance was repelled by Manuel Bartolo who, moments later, stopped a tame header from Alfred Effiong.

A rare Msida attack saw Lattes run into the box before hitting an exquisite volley that flew over the bar.

Within seconds, Qormi had taken the lead, Camilo concluding another strong run with a grounder that rolled past the diving Bartolo and into the far corner of the net.

With Msida looking vulnerable, especially at the back, Qormi were expected to maintain their early supremacy but this was not forthcoming as their play became somewhat scrappy.

Nevertheless, it was Qormi who came close to doubling their lead when Massimo Grima's long pass from midfield picked out Camilo who swept past Sciberras and Stefano Grima before striking a fierce shot that came off the base of the far post.

Msida were having problems coping with the skilful Camilo.

Fastening on to a pass from Joseph Farrugia, Camilo drove past Bartolo but he was adjudged to have been in an offside position.

Nine minutes from half-time, Marlow had to make his first substitution after Xuereb suffered an injury. His void was filled by Andrew Formosa.

Only three minutes from the start of the second half had gone when Qormi threatened to go 2-0 up. Farrugia's corner flew straight to the unmarked Wellman but his half-volley lacked precision.

Qormi held the initiative.

Alfred Effiong jinked his way into the box but his effort was deflected away for a corner by Stefano Grima.

As the second half gathered pace, Msida began to pose more problems to the Qormi defence.

On one occasion, Ramon Dos Santos rescued his team from a dangerous situation when hooking the ball away from Lattes who had been teed up by Tyrone Farrugia.

Msida's hopes of an equaliser were dashed when, midway through the second half, Qormi doubled their advantage.

Grima was the supplier with a throughball from midfield towards Camilo who sped clear before slotting the ball past Bartolo.

Qormi were all over Msida with Camilo running the show.

After Grima's rising effort grazed the bar, Qormi struck again eight minutes from time.

Dos Santos's headed clearance fell into the path of Camilo who outsprinted the Msida defenders and drilled a low shot home.

Msida SJ M. Bartolo-6, S. Grima-4 ('76 M. Borda), C. Sciberras-5, K. Mifsud-5.5, R. Xuereb-5 ('36 A. Formosa-5.5), E. Lattes-5.5, R. Baldacchino-4, Z. Levnaic-6.5, L. Micallef-4, N. Arpa-4, T. Farrugia-5.5.

Qormi M. Farrugia-6, J. Bondin-5, R. Sammut-5.5, R. Dos Santos-6, S. Wellman-5, M. Grima-6.5 ('87 K. Spiteri), K. Fenech-6 ('68 S. Meilak-5), J. Farrugia-6, J. Chetcuti-6 ('83 R. Deguara), S. Camilo-9, A. Effiong-5.5.

Scorer Camilo 6, 68, 82

Referee Andrè Arciola.

Yellow cards Grima; Mifsud.

BoV player of the match Camilo da Silva Sanvezzo (Qormi).