Sliema Wanderers 2
Mifsud 62; Mangiacasale 80;
Tarxien Rainbows 0
Michael Mifsud must have been relieved to have finally got off the mark this season after netting Sliema’s opener in a hard-fought win over Tarxien Rainbows.
Mifsud, who missed out on Malta’s creditable draw against Bulgaria through suspension last week, scored for the first time in his second spell at the Wanderers just past the hour mark, stroking in an angled shot to initiate his side’s second-half surge.
The absence of Andrea Scozzese, suspended, and Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, injured, left Blues coach Stephen Azzopardi with no option but to field a makeshift defence as Mark Scerri moved back to partner Stefano Bianciardi in central de-fence, John Mintoff manned the right flank and Luca Martinelli filled in at left-back.
Azzopardi opted for an inexperienced midfield line with Djumo Bocar, a 20-year-old Portuguese who was on the books of Inter, playing alongside Peter Xuereb, Beppe Muscat and Fabio Mangiacasale.
Tarxien’s initial formation featured two changes from the 2-1 defeat to Mosta as Cleber and Manuel Caruana replaced Alvaro and Matthew Tabone respectively.
The early exchanges belonged to the Wanderers but they failed to translate their supremacy into goals as their final pass was often too poor.
Tarxien were offering very little going forward but, in their first significant foray into the opponents’ half they almost broke the deadlock.
On 18 minutes, Carlos Hevia angled a dipping shot towards goal with the ball coming off the bar.
With Sliema labouring to find any rhythm in their play, Tarxien never lost control.
Bocar and Guy Gnabouyou were engaged in dashing runs on the flanks but the Blues produced no scoring chances in the opening period.
Tarxien soon reclaimed the initiative after the break.
A quick move unlocked the Sliema defence as Cleber sprinted forward before releasing a low drive which did not trouble Glenn Zammit.
Four minutes later, on the other side, Martinelli played in Bocar whose central shot was tipped over the bar by Sean Mintoff.
Tarxien’s reprieve was temporary as Sliema took the lead past the hour mark.
Mifsud raced clear of his marker before scooping a swerving shot from the D that bent away from Mintoff’s despairing dive. Mifsud celebrated with evident relief, banging his fists on the ground.
On 77 minutes, Mifsud was left to rue his ill-luck as his shot hit the goal frame after being sent through by Gnabouyou.
Moments later, Caruana was first to Hevia’s set-piece cross but his header was just wide as the Rainbows narrowly missed the equaliser.
But soon after they found themselves 2-0 down after Mangiacasale’s incursion into the box, laid bare Tarxien’s defensive frailties before beating Mintoff with a low shot.
Just before the final whistle, Mifsud was treated to a standing ovation as he made way for Clive Psaila.
Sliema Wanderers
G. Zammit-6, L. Martinelli-6, D. Bocar-6.5 (88 T. Cilia), G. Gnabouyou-6.5 (88 F. Talato), J. Mintoff-6, M. Scerri-6.5, M. Mifsud-7.5 (90 C. Psaila), P. Xuereb-6, F. Mangiacasale-6, B. Muscat-5.5, S. Bianciardi-6.
Tarxien Rainbows
S. Mintoff-6, M. Caruana-6, O. Bugeja-5 (82 M. Tabone), Cleber-5, T. Caruana-5 (46 K. Farrugia-6), Wesley-5.5, R. Sammut-5.5, A. Cini-5.5, C. Hevia-6.5, A. Lopes Pereira-5 (70 Alvaro), Jorge-5.5.
Referee: Philip Farrugia.
Yellow cards: Muscat, Caruana.
BOV player of the match: Michael Mifsud (Sliema Wanderers).