Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1034189
33 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 30 SEPTEMBER 2018 SPORTS BOV PREMIER LEAGUE Shaqiri of Liverpool celebrating together with Sadio Mane WARREN ZAMMIT DESPITE playing for more than half an hour with ten men, Ħamrun shared the spoils with Mosta in a 0-0 draw. Ħamrun came into this match looking to bounce back from their unexpected defeat at the hands of Tarxien Rainbows. On the other hand, Mosta were also looking to return to winning ways as they were defeated by Balzan in their previous encounter. During the early stages of the match, both sides exchanged pos- session inside the centre of the pitch with neither team threaten- ing the opposing defence. In fact, supporters had to wait till the 24th minute to witness a chance on goal. Francesco Marra of Ħamrun delivered the ball to- wards Caetano Calil who finished off target from an ideal position. Mosta hit back on the 35th min- ute. Following a defensive mistake by Ħamrun's defenders, Falou Ndiaye Samb sent a shot that was neutralised by Emmauel Bartolo. Four minutes later, Renan Ab- ner De Oliveira tried his luck from distance, but his effort failed to hit the target. The Spartans were unlucky not to forge ahead on the brink of half-time. Mosta's defend- ers failed to clear their lines fol- lowing a free-kick. The ball fell for Karl Micallef and the latter unleashed a powerful drive that stamped off the upright. Ħamrun went close again two minutes into the second half. Calil's shot from outside the pen- alty area was saved by Vella in two attempts. However, Giovanni Tedesco's side suffered a setback as they were reduced to ten men on the 58th minute. Misael Miranda Gomez was played through on goal and ran towards the penalty area. Emmanuel Bartolo rushed forward and brought him down leaving the referee with no op- tion but to send him off as he de- nied a clear chance on goal. Despite playing with ten men, the Spartans remained organised and lost a golden opportunity on the 84th minute. Ryan Darma- nin squared the ball for the un- marked Sebastian Nayar whose shot from inside the penalty area was blocked by Vella. Vella had to be on the alert once more a minute later. Following a cross inside the penalty area, Na- yar directed the ball goal wards, but found Mosta's goalkeeper in his way. Nayar lost another op- portunity on the 90th minute. The Argentine's shot from a free- kick ended up marginally over. Mosta starting line-up: An- dreas Vella, Alessio De Cerchio, Kei Hirose, Renan Abner De Oliveira, Massimo Sammartino, Misael Miranda Gomez, Tyrone Farrugia, Steven Bonnici, Zach- ary Brincat, Romeu Romao, Ndi- aye Falou Samb Ħamrun Spartans starting line-up: Emmanuel Bartolo, An- tonio Monticelli, Enrico pepè, Sebastian Nayar, Carlos Hernan Henneberg, Matthew Gauci, Karl Micallef, Orestis Nikolopoulos, Caetano Calil, Bradley Schembri, Francesco Marra Referee: Philip Farrugia Assistant Referees: William Debattista, Edward Spiteri Fourth Official: Glen Tonna BOV Player of the Match: Kei Hirose (Mosta) Mosta Hamrun Spartans 0 0 10-men Hamrun share the spoils with Mosta