Mosta 0
Tarxien Rainbows 2
Ricardo Costa 16; Bueno 61;

Since their ascent to the Premier League a few years back, Tarxien forged a reputation for recruiting top-level Brazilians.

The South American imports had been central to Tarxien’s surge up the ladder but this term, a combination of injuries and failure of the Brazilian signings to shine have blighted their campaign.

Tarxien headed into this clash with Mosta knowing a defeat would seriously jeopardise their chances of staving off relegation but they left Corradino brimming with optimism after their Brazilian players came of age to inspire a merited win.

Ricardo Costa and Daniel Mariano Bueno stole the show after scoring the goals that enabled their team to leapfrog Mosta but in Luiz Romulo De Castro, who joined the club last month, Tarxien appear to have found the type of midfielder they’d been searching for a long time as the Rainbows reshuffled their foreign line-up in mid-season.

While the foreigners deservedly earned the plaudits for their contribution, the Maltese players also did their part as their commitment, tactical discipline and resilience underpinned arguably Tarxien’s best performance of the season.

While Tarxien can look ahead with renewed confidence, not so can be said of Mosta.

Still smarting from a 1-0 defeat to Mqabba, Mosta were again a pale shadow of the team that enjoyed a dramatic resurgence in the January-February period before the current crisis set in after they threw away a two-goal lead to Ħamrun Spartans in their opening Relegation Pool duel.

Mosta, now one place off the bottom, ought to have been boosted by the return of combative midfielder Kurt Magro.

Sheldon Grech made way for Magro while Jonathan Bajada was preferred to Firas Aboulezz.

Mosta coach Steve D’Amato reverted to a four-man defence while, in attack, Dyson Falzon was afforded freedom to roam behind chief striker Obinna Obiefule.

Injury deprived Tarxien coach Patrick Curmi of Orosco Anonam but his defensive options were bolstered by the return from suspension of Everton. The other two changes in the Rainbows’ starting XI from the 1-0 defeat to Qormi saw Adrian Carabott and Karl Pulo replace Steve Sadowski and Jimmy Mayasi respectively.

Carabott played to the right of central forward Ricardo Costa with Bueno operating on the left as Curmi opted for 4-3-3.

Inside the opening two minutes, Falzon’s inviting corner sailed across the face of goal but the ball just eluded the diving Obiefule at the far post.

Pouncing on a miscued backpass, Falzon surged into the box on 10 minutes but his shot was too central to unsettle Nicky Vella in Tarxien’s goal.

Egged on by the clever movement of De Castro, Tarxien began to ask more questions of the Mosta defence as the first half progressed and broke the deadlock on 16 minutes.

Bueno showed neat footwork to make headway before pulling the ball back for Ricardo Costa who took a touch before despatching a ferocious drive that had the better of the diving Jonathan Debono.

Galvanised by their opener, Tarxien stayed in control. Ricardo Costa crossed towards the far post but Bueno’s flick ended wide.

Tarxien then appealed for a penalty when Mark Tanti’s cross appeared to come off Florent Raimy in the box but their claims were waved away by referee Malcolm Spiteri.

As in their match against Mqabba, Mosta looked short of inspiration for much of the opening 35 minutes as the well-drilled Tarxien retained the upperhand with De Castro a prominent figure in midfield.

Seven minutes from half-time, Tarxien were awarded a free-kick outside the box. Ricardo Costa rolled the ball to Tanti whose shot was saved in two attempts by Debono.

An elaborate move by Tarxien early in the second period unlocked the Mosta defence as Ricardo Costa’s cross dropped invitingly into the path of Pulo but Kane Farrugia made a providential intervention to block the shot.

A Mosta fan was heard urging the team to “wake up” as the Blues remained second best.

D’Amato made his first substitution 13 minutes into the second half, Terence Vella coming on for Bajada.

Aboulezz then replaced Magro but Mosta suffered another setback just past the hour.

Tanti’s corner spread havoc in the Mosta defence as De Castro got the first header before Ricardo Costa nodded towards the near post and Bueno applied the final touch.

Tarxien had a glorious chance to put the game to bed when Carabott drifted infield from the left before passing to Pulo whose grounder flashed against the outside of the near post.

The elusive Carabott was at it again moments later as he picked out Bueno whose long-range grounder was parried away by Debono.

Two goals behind and with the clock ticking down, Mosta tossed caution to the wind but in doing so they left the backdoor ajar.

Tarxien should have punished their opponents when Bueno freed Carabott but he volleyed over.

Carabott had the chance to redeem himself but his looping effort was diverted away for a corner.

Mosta
J. Debono-5.5, A. Borg-5, K. Farrugia-6, F. Tisbi-5 (70 P. Mirceta-4), Y. Ossok-5, F. Raimy-4, J. Bajada-5.5 (58 T. Vella-4), K. Magro-6 (61 F. Aboulezz-4), D. Falzon-5, I. Zammit-4, O. Obiefule-5.

Tarxien Rainbows
N. Vella-6.5, C. Mamo-7, Everton-6.5, A. Carabott-7 (90 W. Zerafa), R. Costa-7.5 (72 J. Mayasi), K. Pulo-6.5 (80 M. Caruana), M. Tanti-6.5, D.M. Bueno-7.5, L.R. De Castro-8.5, R. Mintoff-6.5, J. Grioli-6.

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri.

Yellow cards: Magro; Zammit.

BOV player of the match: Ricardo Costa (Tarxien Rainbows).

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