Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/602004
58 maltatoday, SUNDAY, 15 NOVEMBER 2015 Sport FOOTBALL RUGBY Malta geared up for Czech Republic next Saturday AS we enter the second leg of the Group 2A division of the European Rugby Cup, Malta is gearing up for its home game against the Czech Republic at the Hibernians Stadium, in Paola next Saturday. After yesterday's game against the Croatian national team, a 34-27 loss, the team is fired up to show that Malta Rugby is truly a force to be reckoned with: especially locally based players like Aaron Borg, who in his debut game yesterday scored his first national try! Malta's first encounter with the Czechs was in Prague in November last year. The Mal- tese lost the game by 27 to 13, having failed to get into the play from the first whistle and only picking up momentum in the second half, leaving the boys wishing for more time. The Malta team is much bet- ter prepared this time round and Saturday promises to be a great day for all who attend. The Malta Rugby Football Un- ion would like to invite every- one to join us at Hibernians Stadium, Paola to support our men on the pitch and be part of the family and the experience that is Malta Rugby. Tickets may be bought from www.ticketline.com.mt or at the gate. Today's Results: MRFU Ladies 7s League Falcons 36 - 0 Overseas Kavallieri 5 - 20 Falcons Overseas 10 - 10 Kavallieri CHILDREN €3 €5 UNDER 12 FREE CONCESSION €8 €10 STUDENTS/SENIORS ADULT €10 €13 FAMILY €20 €25 2 ADULTS 2 CHILDREN UNDER 16 MALTA FANZONE €20 €25 INCLUDING 2 DRINK TOKENS TICKETS AVAILABLE AT WWW.TICKETLINE.COM.MT MALTA vs CZECH REPUBLIC AT THE DOOR 21ST NOVEMBER HIBERNIANS STADIUM KICK OFF AT 14:00 GATES OPEN AT 12:30 Ukraine take charge of play-off Ukraine's hopes of finally ending their play-off hoodoo and qualifying for Euro 2016 were given a huge boost with a 2-0 first-leg victory over Slovenia in Lviv THE Ukrainians have failed to progress for a major international tournament via the play-offs on five occasions, with Slovenia among the countries who have dashed their dream in two-legged contests in a tie to qualify for Euro 2000. However, Mykhaylo Fomenko's men are well placed to be in France next summer after Andriy Yarmo- lenko and Yevhen Seleznyov scored in either half. The cushion they will take to Slov- enia on Tuesday could have been even greater, though, yet Denys Garmash and Seleznyov were un- able to add a third goal against the lacklustre visitors. Yarmolenko was his nation's top scorer in qualifying and it was the Dynamo Kiev winger who struck first 22 minutes in. Yevhen Konoplyanka's corner was only half-cleared and the Sevilla midfielder crossed the ball back into the box, where Samir Handanovic's punch fell to Yarmolenko at the back post. Both Rene Krhin and Jasmin Kur- tic believed the 26-year-old was going to pull the trigger with his left foot, but he feigned a shot and moved the ball on to his right to ri- fle past Handanovic and into the far corner. Up until that point the visitors had showed little attacking threat, and a half-volley from Josip Ilicic that sailed over the top in the 28th minute was their first attempt on goal. They had a great chance to pull level before the half-hour mark, though, when Valter Birsa fed an unmarked Milivoje Novakovic in- side the area but his first touch was appalling and the ball span through to goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov. Handanovic made a one-handed save from Serhiy Rybalka's long- range try and pushed Garmash's header from another Konoplyanka header over the top as Ukraine end- ed the first period on top. And it was no surprise to see the home side double their lead nine minutes after the break. Again Yarmolenko was involved, finding an overlapping Artem Fe- detskiy with a pass inside the full- back, and his ball across the six-yard box found Seleznyov sliding in to score from virtually on the line. The Dnipro forward immediately checked for an offside flag, which was not forthcoming, and he ap- peared to be level with the last man when Fedetskiy's centre was deliv- ered. Having put the game to bed, Ukraine looked to sew up the tie too. Garmash's header from close range was directed straight at Handanovic and Seleznyov's placed attempt came back off a post, with Bojan Jokic clearing the danger as Yarmolenko lurked for the re- bound. Konoplyanka was then allowed to drive into the box but he got his shot all wrong and although Ukraine won an eighth successive international in Lviv, Slovenia will feel fortunate to escape with just a two-goal deficit ahead of the return leg. Goalscorer Andriy Yarmolenko celebrates