Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/823773
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 14 MAY 2017 59 Sport FOOTBALL Sliema Wanderers ease past Tarxien Rainbows to go through to the final Tarxien Rainbows ....... 0 Sliema Wanderers ...... 3 WARREN ZAMMIT IN the early stages of the match, both teams were reluctant to risk much. In fact, the majority of play took place in the centre of the pitch. However, in the first chance on goal, Sliema managed to break the deadlock on the 22nd min- ute. From a free-kick, Ricardo Calixto Correa Duarte sent a cross that was met by Denni Dos Dantos who headed past Andrea Cassar. The Wanderers threatened again on the 28th minute. Denni won possession inside Tarxien's half and fired a shot that was neutralised by Cassar. Tarxien responded on the 32nd minute. Alex Da Paixao Alves found space and hit a powerful drive from outside the penalty area that went slightly over. Three minutes later, the Rain- bows had another good chance on goal. Da Paixao Alves sent a through ball towards Alex Nils- son who went inside the penalty area and hit a shot that was well saved by Giuseppe Sarao. Despite this reaction from Tarxien, Sliema increased their advantage on the 37th minute by scoring a goal that was identical to the first one. From another free kick, Correa Duarte deliv- ered the ball towards Leonardo Incorvaia and the latter headed inside the net. John Buttigieg's side suffered a set-back on the 45th minute as Denni got injured and had to be replaced. Ryan Spiteri took his place. The Rainbows had a promis- ing chance on the 56th minute. Emerson Marcellina's free-kick was directed towards Ebiabowei Baker but the defender failed to make proper contact with the ball. Tarxien's hopes of a comeback faded away on the 64th minute as the Wanderers scored their third goal. Frank Temille sent an excellent pass towards Mark Scerri and the Sliema midfielder slotted the ball past Cassar. On the 79th minute, Marcel- lina of Tarxien fired a shot from distance that went off target. Four minutes later, Cassar was on the alert to deny Sliema from scoring their fourth goal. Ryan Spiteri received the ball inside the penalty area and hit a close range shot that was parried by the Tarxien goalkeeper. On the other side of the pitch, Ayrton Azzopardi's shot was saved by Sarao. Tarxien had a good chance to score a consolation goal on the 87th minute. Nilsson went on a good run before passing the ball towards Daniel Ponce De Leon Garcia whose shot was blocked by the Sliema shot stopper. The Sliema goalkeeper was crucial again two minutes later. Azzopardi received the ball in- side the area and sent a shot that was saved once more by Sarao. On the 90th minute, Nilsson of Tarxien created the game's last chance. The Swedish striker fired a shot that was tipped be- hind by the Italian goalkeeper. Tarxien Rainbows starting line-up: Andrea Cassar, Ebiabo- wei Baker, Emerson Marcellina, Daniel Ponce De Leon Garcia, Alex Nilsson, Andrew Agius, Ser- gio Fernandez Prendes, Daniel Zerafa, Alex Da Paixao Alves, Kurt Zammit, Sacha Borg Sliema Wanderers starting line-up: Giuseppe Sarao, Alex Muscat, Denni Dos Santos, Pe- ter Xuereb, Leonardo Incorvaia, Mark Scerri, Mattias Muchardi, Ricardo Calixto Correa Duarte, Jonathan Pearson, Frank Te- mille, Stefano Biancardi Referee: Malcolm Spiteri Assistant Referees: William De- battista, Sammy Attard Additional Assistant Referees: Trustin Farrugia Cann, Stefan Pace Fourth Official: Duncan Sul- tana Floriana ..................... 3 SK Victoria Wanderers . 1 WARREN ZAMMIT IN a historic semi-final match played at the Gozo Stadium, Flo- riana secured a 3-1 win against SK Victoria Wanderers to go through to next week's final match. Floriana started well and had a good opportunity on the 22nd minute. Nicolas Chiesa sent a shot that was well saved by Mat- thew Towns. Two minutes later, the greens went ahead. Steve Pisani went on a good run before hitting a shot that gave Towns no chance. However, the Gozitan team levelled the score on the brink of half time. Fernando Giariz- zo fired a low shot past Justin Haber. Giovanni Tesdesco's side made their intentions clear in the sec- ond half and managed to restore their lead on the 53rd minute. Maurizio Vella fired a shot from a free-kick that ended up inside the net. Floriana sealed the issue on the 71st minute. The referee awarded them a penalty and Pisani converted to score his second goal of the match. On the 75th minute, SK Victo- ria Wanderers ended up in ten men after the referee showed Giarizzo a straight red card following a foul on Andre Sci- cluna. SK Victoria Wanderersstart- ing line-up: Matthew Towns, Ian Xuereb, Aleksandar Kom- ljenovic, Sam Frank Bajada, Srdjan Draskovic, Dylan Mer- cieca, Predrag Djordjevic, Fer- nando Giarrizzo, Sam Harland, Igor Grkajac, Milanko Raskovic Floriana starting line-up: Jus- tin Haber, Andre Scicluna, Enrico Pepe, Enzo Ruiz, Steve Pisani, Ignacio Varela, Sebas- tian Nayar, Maurizio Vella, Nicolas Chiesa, Mario Fonta- nella, Ryan Camenzuli Referee: Clayton Pisani Assistant Referees: Chris Fran- calanza, Peter Abela Additional Assistant Referees: Sandro Spiteri, Eman Grech Fourth Official: Ryan Aquilina PHOTOGRAPHY BY DOMINIC BORG Floriana wins a historical semi-final to play in next week's final