Rabat Ajax 0
Sliema Wanderers 2
Ruggiero 84, 90;
Newcomer Luigi Ruggiero scored twice in the dying minutes to give Sliema Wanderers a hard-earned 2-0 win over Rabat Ajax yesterday.
Alfonso Greco’s Blues were kept at bay for most of the match by the bold Rabat Ajax defence who only collapsed late on when Clive Brincat was red-carded. Indeed, that proved to be the turning point of this match.
Fresh from an unexpected victory over Birkirkara, Ruggiero guaranteed Sliema a second straight win as Rabat, who were buoyed with the return of striker Nerijus Astrauskas and defender Gaetano Gesualdi, failed to create any clear-cut chances throughout the entire match.
Rabat defended stoutly and when it seemed that the stalemate was to stay, Brincat committed a second bookable offence (time-wasting) and Ruggiero profited to shoot down the Magpies with two quick goals.
Officials from the Welsh FA took charge of this match as part of a twinning agreement signed between the Malta FA and their counterparts from Wales.
Bryn Markhem Jones was referee, Lewiss Edwards and Daniel Beckett his assistants and Richard Harrigton the fourth official.
Prior to kick-off, Sliema Wanderers FC president Keith Perry presented a memento to club striker Ivan Woods in recognition of his 400th Premier League match.
The early exchanges were brisk. Inside the first minute, Jonathan Azzopardi, the Rabat goalkeeper, fisted away a dangerous shot from Alex Muscat and the latter volleyed the rebound over the top as the Wanderers sought to make an early statement of intent.
After a lull in creative football, Rabat ventured forward.
David Azzopardi rampaged down the left flank before delivering an inviting ball into the box and Yan Cauchi, reading John Mintoff’s intentions, got behind the back-pedalling defender before goalkeeper Henry Bonello saved his effort.
At the other end, Azzopardi rescued the Magpies from another potentially damaging situation when he did well to dive at the feet of the unmarked Miguel Ciantar.
Greco tweaked his formation at half-time and Ruggiero came on for the disappointing Ariel Laudisi.
This tactical move almost reaped instant dividends as the Wanderers were unlucky not to break the deadlock on 49 minutes when Muscat released Ruggiero whose first-time effort crashed against the bar.
Vella’s game plan in the second half appeared to focus on more tight defending primarily and attacking only a secondary option.
Not surprisingly, Sliema enjoyed more possession but Rabat were well-drilled and coped with the pressure, Ivan Carapic cutting a prominent figure in defence.
So, it was inevitable that Rabat relied on set-pieces to apply some pressure on the Sliema goal.
On one occasion goalkeeper Bonello fumbled a seemingly innocuous free-kick by Cauchi but Luca Martinelli was right on the spot to boot upfield and clear the danger.
The Wanderers were threatening from the flanks thanks mainly to the pace and direct running of Ruggiero. In the 73rd minute, he outfoxed his direct marker and laid the ball to the sprinting Matias Muchiardi who hit badly from a good position.
Sliema got some extra wind into their sails 11 minutes from time when Brincat was sent off for a second yellow card. Greco sensed his team could nick it at the death and pushed Ruggiero and Muscat deeper inside the Rabat territory to create more openings for his team.
And the Magpies’ defence crumbled on 84 minutes when Ruggiero found space on the left flank, beat his shadower Gesualdi and unleashed a swerving shot that squeezed between Azzopardi and the near post.
Rabat were down and out and Ruggiero applied the killer touch when he deftly flicked the ball over the onrushing Azzopardi before depositing into an empty net.
Rabat Ajax
J. Azzopardi-6, G. Gesualdi-5, C. Schembri-6, I. Carapic-6.5, N. Astrauskas-5 (85 C. Gauci), A. Smeir-4.5, M. Fuster-5.5 (85 J. Felice), D. Falzon-5, C. Brincat, Y. Cauchi-6, D. Azzopardi-6.
Sliema Wanderers
H. Bonello-5, L. Martinelli-6, C. Gatt Baldacchino-5, S. Biancardi-5, J. Mintoff-5, M. Muchardi-6.5, A. Muscat-6.5, P. Barbetti-6, A. Laudisi-5 (46 L. Ruggiero-7), I. Woods-6, M. Ciantar-6 (87 A. Decesare).
Referee: Bryn Markhem Jones (Wales).
Yellow cards: Gatt Baldacchino, Brincat, Fuster.
Red card: Brincat (R) 79.
BOV player of the match: Matias Muchiardi (Sliema Wanderers).