A disconsolate Karl Izzo could only watch his team being ripped apart in the opening sessions of yesterday’s KO semi-final by Neptunes Emirates who soared well above the clouds in the style of their airline sponsors to put up vintage fare of irresistible quality.
It was indeed men against boys with the Reds tearing into their opponents’ frail resistance.
Tamas Molnar and Steve Camilleri, who alternated in the hole in the first two sessions, netted an impressive tally of ten goals in those two quarters as Sirens coach Izzo could not help but watch in a resigned manner.
Neptunes shifted to play/pause mode after the change of ends as they conceded a posse of exclusions, with Camilleri and Vladimir Vujasinovic given sabbatical leave but not the Hungarian Molnar. He went on to score nine goals and help his team complete the whitewash.
It was a staggering eight-goal start for Neptunes in the opening quarter with the first seven goals coming on each occasion they had possession.
Indeed, it was a monologue with Molnar netting four goals followed by Camilleri (2) and Niki Lanzon who also scored twice.
Neptunes’ scoring rate dipped in the second session but not the quality of goals. The collection was top-notch, particularly from Camilleri and Molnar.
The third session saw coach Sergey Markoch introducing new faces as Neptunes, although scoring four times through Matthew Pisani, Steve and Jordan Camilleri and Maltese-American Brian Buhagiar, went casual, with Sirens scoring twice through James Spiteri Staines and Juergen Borg.
With all their fringe players in the water in the last session, Neptunes went on to score five more goals to their opponents’ four. It was really a royal performance from the new champions. They will now meet either Sliema or San Ġiljan in the final on Sunday.
As expected, Ta’ Xbiex Mermaids Paradise proceeded to the final of the Second Division KO competition when they defeated Marsaxlokk as easily as the scoreline indicates in the opening match of the day.
The Southerners could offer little more than token resistance as Marco Manara’s team kept widening the gap in their favour despite the valiant efforts of Englishman Chris Vang and David Pace Lupi.
However, apart from better teamwork, Ta’ Xbiex had Tamas Gyrovath (five goals), Dave Gabriel and Anthony Galea (four each) way above the rest.
The outcome had long been a foregone conclusion. Ta’ Xbiex will now meet Marsascala in Sunday’s final.
Sirens 7
Neptunes 23
(0-8, 1-6, 2-4, 4-5)
Sirens: E. Arrigo, A. Attard, J. Cremona, P. Borg, J. Spiteri Staines 1, R. Mock, J. Borg 1, D. Cutajar, L. Caruana, C. Zammit, Y. Vasovic 3, D. Zammit 2, C. Mercieca.
Neptunes: N. Gouder, N. Lanzon 3, B. Lanzon, M. Stellini, D. Camilleri, V. Vujasinovic, S. Camilleri 5, J. Camilleri 1, B. Buhagiar 1, S. Gravina, I. Bugeja, T. Molnar 9, M. Pisani 4.
Refs: I. Sciriha, D. Saeli.
Marsaxlokk 10
Ta’ Xbiex 19
(2-4, 3-6, 3-7, 2-2)
Marsaxlokk: N. Camilleri, K. Vogel 1, R. Calleja, D. Pace Lupi 2, M. Paris, K. Hyzler 1, C. Vang 5, J.C. Farrugia, E. Pisani 1, A. Cauchi, M. Grima.
Ta’ Xbiex: A. Xuereb, S. Cachia, D. Caruana 1, A. Farrugia, L. Borg, C. Bugeja 2, J. Tabone 2, E. Bonello 1, D. Gabriel 4, A. Galea 4, I. Azzopardi, M. Spiteri, T. Gyrovath 5.
Refs: A. DeRaffaele, S. Licari.
Playing Tomorrow
Semi-final: 6 p.m. Sliema vs San Ġiljan.