QORMI-2, TARXIEN RAINBOWS-1

Qormi climbed out of the bottom three after beating Tarxien Rainbows 2-1 in today's opening game at the Tedesco Stadium.

High on confidence after their draw against Birkirkara, Qormi obtained their first win in seven games thanks to second-half goals from Sebastiano Siritto and Vincenzo Pisani.

Tarxien had been regarded as slight favourites to win after taking 10 points from their last four games but the Rainbows lacked inspiration as they were overpowered by opponents who showed more hunger to win.

Qormi produced the first scoring chance after 11 minutes. Abubakar Bello-Osagie advanced on the right before releasing Siritto whose effort was repelled by Nicky Vella, the Tarxien goalkeeper.

Midway into the first half, Danilo, Tarxien's Brazilian striker, shot wide from just inside the box. Andrezinho then headed wide from Daniel Mariano Bueno's cross from the left.

A good move by Qormi opened up Tarxien as Leighton Grech sped through on the right before passing to Bello-Osagie who darted past Nicky Vella, the Rainbows goalkeeper. The Nigerian tried to pick out the unmarked Siritto but his pass was cut out by Ryan Sammut.

Qormi intensified their pressure. Bello-Osagie' rifled wide from inside the box after Tarxien had blocked two attempts by Matthew Bartolo.

At the other end, Bueno's low strike from a wide position rolled past the far post and, three minutes from half-time, Evaldo's free-kick sailed over the bar.

Three minutes into the second half, Qormi nosed ahead. Siritto exchanged passes with Edison Zarate before running through and beating Vella with a low shot.

Midway into the second half, Tarxien wasted a great chance to level matters when, in a swift counter-attack, Andrezinho released Karl Pulo, a second-half substitute, but the latter hit wide with only Matthew Farrugia to beat.

The Qormi goalkeeper was prominent two minutes later when pushing away Andrezinho's first-time effort.

Evaldo's free-kick from the distance was high but, three minutes from time, Qormi doubled their lead when Vincenzo Pisani, who had replaced Siritto, fired home after receiving from Grech.

Tarxien pulled one back two minutes later when Bueno headed the ball home from Andrezinho's free-kick.

Qormi midfielder Edison Zarate was named BOV player of the match.

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