Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/890548
maltatoday SUNDAY 22 OCTOBER 2017 51 Sports SPORTTODAY FOOTBALL Valletta hit six past Tarxien PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTINE BORG Valletta ..................... 6 Tarxein Rainbows ....... 0 WARREN ZAMMIT VALLETTA created the first op- portunity on goal after two min- utes. From a corner, Denni Rocha Dos Santos sent a cross that was met by Juan Gill Cruz whose header sailed slightly off target. A minute later, Valletta threat- ened again. Following a free-kick, Joseph Zerafa delivered a cross towards Steve Borg and the latter saw his header going high. Valletta increased their pres- sure and went ahead on the 10th minute. From a free-kick, Denni served Cruz, and the Argentine managed to put the ball behind Christian Cassar in two attempts. Zoran Popovic's side went close to increase the margin of the score on the 14th minute. From another corner, Denni delivered the ball towards Ibrahim Saleh whose first time finish went slightly wide. Tarxien replied on the half hour mark. Ricardo Silva Faria hit a shot from distance that was saved by Henry Bonello. Kyrian Nwoko made it 2-0 for Valletta on the 33rd minute. Mat- teo Piciollo went on a good run down the left flank before deliver- ing the ball towards the youngster who slotted the ball inside the net. Cassar was on the alert to deny Valletta on the 43rd. Denni sent a cross shot from the edge of the penalty area that was parried by the Tarxien goalkeeper before Nwoko could get to the ball. However, Valletta made the score 3-0 a minute later. From the resulting corner, the ball went into the path of Santiago Malano who finished inside the bottom corner. Valletta scored again on the 51st minute. Following a corner, Den- ni sent another dangerous cross which went into the path of Pici- ollo. The Italian kept his compo- sure and finished home. Two minutes later, Valletta near- ly scored again. Saleh's powerful drive sailed slightly wide. Piciollo tried his luck once more on the 64th minute, but his shot went over. Valletta kept going and created another opportunity on the 70th minute. Claudio Pani hit a strong shot from a free-kick that ended up over. Three minutes later, Nwoko went inside the penalty area and fired a shot that was blocked by Cassar. Tarxien had a rare chance on the 75th minute. Ricardo Silva Faria sent a shot from the right that hit the upright. Substitute Russel Fenech made it 5-0 on the 80th minute. Nwoko passed the ball towards the nine- teen year old who in front of Cas- sar made no mistake. A minute later, the score became 6-0. Following a defensive mistake committed by Luke Grech, Nwoko went through and finished past Cassar. Valletta starting line-up: Henry Bonello, Steve Borg, Ryan Camill- eri, Juan Gill Cruz, Santiago Ma- lano (Claudio Pani – 64), Matteo Piciollo, Kyrian Nwoko, Jean Borg, Joseph Zerafa (Rowen Muscat – 67), Ibrahim Raed Saleh, Denni Rocha Dos Santos (Russel Fenech- 79) Tarxien Rainbows starting line- up: Christian Cassar, Ebiabowei Baker, Godwin McKay (Ayrton Azzopardi -77), James Brincat, Andrew Agius, Luke Grech, Ryan Darmanin (Mamadou Traore – 62), Artur Benes, Eduard Mar- ian Calin (Matthew Spiteri – 45), Ricardo Silva Faria, Sean Cipriott Referee: Ishmael Barbara Assistant Referees: Mitchell Scerri, Paul Apap Fourth Of ficial: Philip Farrugia Yellow Cards: Luke Grech (Tarxien), Mamadou Traore (Tarxien) BOV Player of the Match: Den- ni Rocha Dos Santos (Valletta) Valletta found no difficulty against Tarxien as they secured a comfortable 6-0 win over Tarxien Rainbows