Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/916779
maltatoday SUNDAY 17 DECEMBER 2017 53 FUTSAL FOOTBALL Sports PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOE BORG Udinese hand Inter their first league defeat of the season SERIE A leaders Inter Milan suffered their first league de- feat of the season when they least expected it yesterday, go- ing down 3-1 at home to mid- table Udinese. A second-half penalty awarded with the help of the video assistant (VAR) and converted by Rodrigo De Paul proved to be the turning point as Luciano Spalletti 's side were finally beaten in their 17th game. The referee initially sig- nalled a goal kick but changed his mind and gave handball against Davide Santon after consulting the VAR. It was Udinese's third league win in four games under coach Massimo Oddo who replaced Luigi Delneri last month, lift- ing them clear of the danger zone and up to 11th. Inter lead with 40 points from 17 games, one ahead of Napoli who are away to Torino later on Saturday. Udinese struck first when Kevin Lasagna scored from close range from Silvan Wid- mer's cross in the 14th minute but Mauro Icardi levelled one minute later, the Argentine's 17th league goal of the season. De Paul put Udinese back in front and Inter nearly levelled again when Milan Skriniar headed against the bar. Inter also claimed a penalty when Miranda went down in the area but the referee decided it did not even merit a consulta- tion with the VAR. Inter were always vulnerable on the counter and Udinese settled the match when An- tonin Barak scored from close range after Jakub Jankto burst down the f lank and sent over a low cross. Udinese's Kevin Lasagna scores their first goal Mriehel ESS ascertained their place in the Elite MRIEHEL ESS made it in the Elite, after winning 5-2 in their decisive challenge against the University of Malta. In the 15th minute the Universitarians went on the lead through Leo Muscat. Five minutes later, a brace from Faisal Alnakoo put Mriehel ESS' mind at rest be- fore half time. In the opening of the second half, Jose Maria Aguilera Cas- tellano levelled the matters and made them 2-2. From that mo- ment, Mriehel ESS made no re- turn back and ascertained their place in the Elite, through goals from Alan Galea, Marwan Teli- si and Ayoub Ahmad. In the other matches played this week, Swieqi United beat their own youngsters for 5-4. Valletta ended their first round winning all the eleven matches, as they won Marsaskala 6-0. Hamrun Tre Angeli trashed Junior College for 20-0, while Luxol consolidated their sec- ond place as they won against Pietà Nordiska with the end re- sult of 8-2. Standings: Valletta 33; Luxol 27; Swieqi United 25; Hamrun Tre Angeli 22; Mriehel ESS 21 (these teams will play in the Elite Round) University of Malta 20; Pietà Nordiska 15; Tarxien JMI & Qormi 9; Marsaskala 6; Swieqi United U21 3; Junior College 0. Fixtures: Monday 18/12/17 8:00pm Junior College vs Luxol 9:15 pm Tarxien JMI vs Qormi