Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/448091
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 18 JANUARY 2015 35 Sport FOOTBALL FUTSAL PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOE BORG - MFA EDWARD FALZON Pieta H. ................1 Qormi ...................0 PIETA clinched an important win against Qormi to join Qor- mi and Tarxien in ninth place as the fight for survival is slow- ly heating up. For Qormi, this was the fifth consecutive defeat and they have now not won a match in 10 rounds. Pieta had the returning Jurgen Pisani back in their line-up and replaced Kyle Decesare. On the other hand, Qormi welcomed back Duncan Pisani from sus- pension and had former Val- letta Chris Edafe making his debut. Bjorn Bondin and Ryan Micallef started the match on the bench. Pieta scored the only goal of the game on 31 minutes when off an assist by Claudio Francis, Luke Micallef beat Matthew Farrugia with a low shot. Pieta went close to scoring again, and Luke Micallef was close to scoring his second when his effort hit the side net- ting after some good work from Rafinha. Nine minutes from time, Jurgen Pisani had his close range effort turned into a corner by keeper Farrugia. BOV Man of the Match: Luke Micallef Pieta H; Cassar (Montfort 19'), Micallef, Dos Santos, Grech, Pisani, Anonam (Cesare 73'), Agius, Da Silva, L . Micallef, Francis, R. Da Silva Qormi; Farrugia, Uzeh (Bon- din 77'), Latini (Micallef 46'), Chetcuti, Ef fiong , Gauci, Tem- ile, Vella (Agius 83'), Levnajic, Pisani, Bondin Referee: Clayton Pisani EDWARD FALZON Naxxar Lions ............. 0 Sliema W. .................. 0 IN a contest lacking entertain- ment and positive play, Naxxar and Sliema produced a goalless draw at the Hamrun stadium in a ref lection of two teams going through disappointing spells in the league. Naxxar went on the offensive early on in the match and af- ter seven minutes' play, Daren Falzon put the ball into the net from a Pablo Doffo free kick, before the goal was disallowed for offside. Two minutes later it was Angus Buhagiar who tried his luck from a distance but the ball went wide. On the other end, Sliema forward Djumo Bo- car tried his luck and saw Julian Azzopardi making a comfort- able save. In the 16th minute, young prospect Aiden Friggieri, who is quickly establishing himself in Maltese football as a bright talent, saw his effort go inches wide after a dangerous person- al move. In the 28th minute, Naxxar were reduced to 10 men when Pablo Doffo was given his marching orders after receiving two yellow cards in a few min- utes. The only goal scoring oppor- tunity in the second half came through Naxxar's Gilmar Da Silva's header, from a corner kick by Daren Falzon. BOV Man of the Match: Gil- mar Da Silva Ribeiro Sliema W; Zammit, A.Muscat, Mintoff, Scerri, Pisanu, Potezi- ca, Friggieri (Borg 64'), Calcado (Ifeany 85'), Bocar, B.Muscat (Cilia 28'), Bianciardi Naxxar L; (Azzopardi, Sciclu- na, Edet, Bruce, Vella, (Fenech 34'), Del Negro, Da Silva Ribeiro (Toure 82'), Doffo, Falzon (Bellia 89'), Buhagiar, Santos Silva Referee; Sandro Spiteri Pieta win to join Qormi, Tarxien in ninth Naxxar and Sliema share spoils in balanced encounter Paolites out to maintain dominance Floriana look to respond after recent disappointment BOV Premier League Preview THE Futsal National teams of England, Lat via and Andorra travelled to our country last week to take part in the UEFA Futsal Qualifiers to form Group E along with our national team. Malta's Preliminary round Group E task was the first real challenge facing new coach Mark Marlow as he begins his quest to promote and develop the sport further in our country. Unfortunately Malta suffered three straight defeats against their opponents, failing to find the net, with the most encourag- ing performance coming in their first game against England in their 0-3 loss. For Mark Marlow this was the first proper competitive action since taking charge of the na- tional team when Malta hosted the UEFA Futsal Euro 2016 pre- liminary round between 14 and 17 January. With Malta facing the likes of Lat via, England and minnows Andorra, Marlow had the opportunit y to put his vi- sion into practice against much stronger sides. Given our oppo- nents' strength and Malta's limi- tations in the sport at present, where there are a limited number of players to choose from, Marlow was aware that the main objec- tives for this Qualif ying campaign was to assemble a decent squad in order to form a solid foundation for the future. 'Every coach goes into a tourna- ment with an objective. As you know my players are amateurs but I am happy with the group and their commitments so far'. Lat via and England; the strong- est two in the group, have a higher pedigree in Futsal, particularly the Lat vians who have participat- ed four times in the FIFA Futsal World Cup and eight times in the UEFA Futsal Euro. England 's Futsal team are on their best ever run at present and surprisingly, they are still consid- ered as one of the sports' light- weights. However things may be chang- ing for England and last year, they registered eight wins out of 12, drawing two and losing two. Challenge for Malta in futsal Every coach goes into a tournament with an objective. As you know my players are amateurs but I am happy with the group and their commitments so far - Malta coach Mark Marlow HIBERNIANS take on high f lyers Balzan at the National Stadium to- day, seeking to extend their lead at the top of the table The Paolites will be hoping for another dominant performance at the National Stadium where a win today will give them a mammoth 18-point lead over nearest rivals Valletta and Birkirkara. Balzan have been going through a positive spell of their own and are coming from three consecutive wins, including a 3-2 victory over Floriana last weekend. The run has seen them move up to fourth place in the standings. With Hibernians still going un- defeated this season, Balzan will surely believe they can get some- thing out of this match and pos- sibly inf lict a first season defeat on the leaders. However Branko Nisevic will be expecting nothing less than all three points against Balzan, who rarely managed to trouble the Paolites in previous en- counters. Hibernians are expected to rely once again on the form of Clayton Failla, Andrew Cohen and Edison Tarabai to lead their attack, while relying on the experience and class of defender Andrei Agius at the back. Balzan will feature without Clive Brincat against the Paolites, but should have all other players avail- able. Hibs have no players suspended and should field their strongest line-up against Balzan. Hibernians vs Balzan (Today, 2pm, National Stadium) FLORIANA tackle Birkirkara today at the National Stadium where they will be hoping to for- get about last week 's disappoint- ment against Balzan. Floriana and Birkirkara have always produced some interest- ing encounters recently, and with both teams needing a win to keep chase after their respective tar- gets, another entertaining clash between the two is expected. Floriana have been in some good form recently, losing once in their last four matches, humbling Zeb- bug and Naxxar in the process. However it is when facing more experienced teams where the greens have often struggled this season, and facing Birkirkara off a defeat last weekend will be not be an easy task. Birkirkara coach Paul Zammit will be buoyed by his team's recent outings, having brushed aside Mosta in their last match and he will surely be keen to ensure that his side maintain the pressure for second place. Zammit has a full squad to choose from, with the exception of suspended Matheus Blissi Da Silva, while Floriana will be with- out Amadou Samb. Floriana vs Birkirkara (Today, 4pm, National Stadium)