Sliema Wanderers 1
Bajada 4;
Mqabba 1
Mazzitelli 69;
Weakened by the absence of several first-choice players, Sliema Wanderers were forced to dig in to rescue a point from their second-round clash with Mqabba.
The depleted Wanderers attained a timely and much-needed boost when, only four minutes into the game, Roderick Bajada put them ahead but back came Mqabba who picked up a deserved point thanks to Thiago dos Santos Mazzitelli’s second-half equaliser.
Driven on by the enterprising duo of Marko Potezica and Claudio Calleja, Mqabba produced the better football as they pegged back their opponents who grew increasingly weary as the game progressed but Danilo Doncic’s patched-up side battled bravely to hold out for a point that puts them level with Birkirkara on 19 points, albeit the Stripes have a game in hand.
Doncic had no option but to revamp his formation as no fewer than seven players were out of contention due to suspension and injuries. Key players Danail Mitev, Josef Mifsud, Steve Bezzina, Alex Muscat, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, Cleaven Frendo and Rumen Galabov were Sliema’s notable absentees.
Young defender Andrew Caligari earned a first-team recall along with Beppe Muscat, Julian Briffa, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Mark Scerri, Ryan Grech and Jerry Ani.
Mqabba coach Clive Mizzi made only two changes from the 1-0 loss to Floriana, John Paul Muscat and Rene Duca replacing Marlon Briffa and Clayton Micallef respectively. Muscat took up one of the striking roles alongside Bojan Mamic with Mazzitelli operating behind.
Sliema may have opened the scoring inside the first three minutes. Jackson Lima’s corner from the right flew towards the six-yard box and Ani’s downward header bounced off the turf and sailed over.
This proved to be the prelude to Sliema’s opener which came less than minutes later. Bajada unleashed a swerving free-kick that squeezed between Kris Calleja and his near post.
Mqabba threatened to gain an immediate equaliser but Mazzitelli’s rising free-kick was tipped over by Henry Bonello, the Sliema keeper.
Faced with the absence of three forwards, Doncic switched to 4-3-1-2 with Jorge partnering Ani in attack and Jackson Lima probing behind the two strikers.
Close to the 15th-minute mark, Duca opened up the Sliema defence as his twisting run took him into the box but his angled effort was pushed away by Bonello.
Better passing and improved off-the-ball movement enabled Mqa-bba to gain ground. On 21 minutes, Muscat released Calleja whose cross-shot was saved by Bonello.
The Wanderers surrendered the initiative to Mqabba after their early breakthrough. Sliema’s best chance after Bajada’s fourth-minute goal came from Jackson Lima’s corner which was pushed away by Calleja.
But Mqabba continued to show the brighter ideas. Another good move by the Reds ended with Mazzitelli heading wide from Muscat’s cross from the right.
Mamic the claimed that Gatt Baldacchino hauled him down in the box as the Serbian tried to connect with Muscat’s pass but referee Malcolm Spiteri was unimpressed.
On the stroke of half-time, Briffa came in for the injured Duca.
Five minutes into the second half, Jackson Lima summoned a curling cross-shot from a left-wing free-kick but Calleja fisted the ball away. The Blues protested for a penalty when Jorge appeared to have been floored by David Azzopardi but the match officials saw nothing wrong.
The second half took long to ignite with scoring chances proving elusive in the opening 15 minutes.
A Jackson Lima free-kick was off target. Mqabba went close when Calleja’s corner arced into the six-yard box but found no takers. At the other end, Jackson Lima’s piledriver was high.
Mqabba made amends for their failure to make better use of Calleja’s well-taken corner earlier on as, with 21 minutes remaining, the former Pietà midfielder sent in another teasing cross from a corner and Mazzitelli headed home.
Sensing Sliema’s inhibitions, Mqabba endeavoured to pile the pressure on the Blues. A prolonged move ended with Mazzitelli hitting a shot that was blocked by Bonello.
Sliema survived a scare when, on 84 minutes, Timotic headed the ball towards Mamic in the six-yard box but the latter’s flick ended just wide.
Sliema Wanderers: H. Bonello-6.5, B. Muscat-7, A. Caligari-6, J. Briffa-5 (70 D. Vukovic-6), C. Gatt Baldacchino-6.5, M. Scerri-5, R. Grech-5, R. Bajada-6.5 (87 D. Spiteri), Jackson Lima-6.5, Jorge-6, J. Ani-5.
Mqabba: K. Calleja-5.5, M. Bonnici-5, C. Calleja-7, B. Timotic-6.5, J.P. Muscat-5 (59 S. Magro-6.5), R. Duca-6 (44 M. Briffa-6.5), M. Potezica-8, D. Azzopardi-6.5, B. Mamic-6, R. Sammut-6.5, T. Mazzitelli-7.5.
Referee: Malcolm Spiteri.
Yellow cards: Bonnici; Potezica; Grech; Vukovic.
BOV player of the match: Thiago Mazzitelli (Mqabba).