Sliema hit by triple Brazilian KO

Tarxien Rainbows 3
Anderson 24; Everton 53; Denni 66
Sliema Wanderers 1
Isaac 41

Down to 10 men as early as the 31st minute, the odds were heavily staked against Tarxien in their encounter with Sliema.

Having toiled for most of the opening half, Sliema were widely expected to up the tempo but for the umpteenth time this season, the Blues were found wanting.

Not so can be said of Tarxien who not only maintained composure but continued to produce the better football, punishing Sliema's ineptitude with two fine goals to attain a 3-1 victory.

It was a collective effort from Tarxien but their Brazilian trio played a crucial role by delivering the goals that handed their team three precious points.

The only change in the Sliema team from the 2-0 victory over Msida saw Henry Isaac take the place of Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza.

Tarxien coach Noel Coleiro awarded a starting berth to Luke Vella Critien at the expense of Mark Tanti. Denni Rocha dos Santos and Anderson Ribeiro manned Tarxien's attack in a 4-4-2 formation.

The first semblance of a chance was created by Tarxien when, on 16 minutes, Anderson guided a pass to Denni who sped into the box but his effort was off target.

At the other end, Ryan Fenech tried to surprise David Cassar with a dipping screamer from long range but his effort flew high.

Minutes later, Andrew Decesare broke down a menacing Sliema attack when heading Clayton Failla's cross away from the on-rushing John Mintoff.

Tarxien stunned Sliema on 24 minutes.

David Camilleri made the most of the gaping holes in Sliema's midfield by flicking a pass to Anderson. As the Sliema defenders backed off, the Brazilian took one touch before unleashing a thunderbolt that soared into the top-right corner of the net.

Tarxien were overjoyed but their optimism was dealt a setback when, a minute past the half-hour, defender Ryan Mintoff was shown a straight red card for swearing.

Despite their numerical handicap, it was Tarxien who almost doubled their lead when Denni waltzed his way into the box but shot wide.

Coleiro waited eight minutes to make the expected move of introducing a defender for a forward in response to Mintoff's red card. Lee Galea came on for winger Gianluca Calabretta.

Cassar atoned for his mistake in punching the ball outside the area by turning Woods's free-kick round the post. The ensuing corner, taken by Failla, sailed tantalisingly towards goal but Cassar saved.

Tarxien's resistance was broken four minutes from half-time when Woods freed Isaac in the box and the Nigerian sidestepped Cassar's challenge before chipping the ball home.

That was that as far as the first half was concerned.

Six minutes into the second half, Simon Agius, the Sliema keeper fisted away an inswinging corner by Camilleri. Two minutes later, Tarxien regained the lead. Ian Ciantar gave away a free-kick after flooring Denni just outside the box.

This was the cue for Everton Antonio Pereira to let fly a thunderous free-kick that had the net bulging.

A minute before the hour mark, Azzopardi threw on Mifsud Triganza for Mintoff but the substitution didn't go down well with the Sliema fans.

The Rainbows protested for a penalty when the elusive Denni appeared to have been nudged off the ball by Clifford Gatt Baldacchino but the referee saw nothing wrong.

The man in the middle had to contend with more claims for a penalty after Denni was on the receiving end of a series of abrasive challenges from Gatt Baldacchino and Dronca before a free-kick was awarded to Tarxien.

Camilleri curled his cross towards the box and Denni outjumped his markers to head home - 3-1 for Tarxien.

Sliema looked out for the count. Isaac summed up his team's downbeat mood when his tame free-kick was easily saved by Cassar.

In the dying minutes, Sliema came close to pulling a goal back when Failla's corner was headed into the goalmouth by substitute Miguel Ciantar where Mifsud Triganza applied the faintest of touches. The ball looked destined to finish in the net but the Tarxien defenders managed to clear the danger.

Tarxien
D. Cassar-7, S. Sadowski-6, M. Caruana-6, D. Camilleri-6.5, G. Calabretta-5.5 ('39 L. Galea-6), E.A. Pereira-6.5, A.M. Ribeiro-7 ('74 W. Chircop), A. Decesare-6, L. Vella Critien-5.5 ('68 M. Tanti-6), D.R. Dos Santos-8, R. Mintoff.

Sliema
S. Agius-5, I. Azzopardi-5, R. Fenech-5.5, M. Scerri-4, C. Gatt Baldacchino-5, I. Woods-5.5 ('71 M. Ciantar), L. Dronca-4, I. Ciantar-5 ('67 M. Bartolo-4), H. Isaac-5.5, J. Mintoff-5.5 ('59 J.P. Mifsud Triganza-5), C. Failla-5.

Referee: Paul Caruana.

Yellow cards: J. Mintoff; Scerri; Cassar; Caruana.

Red card: R. Mintoff (T) 31.

BoV player of the match: Denni (Tarxien Rainbows)