Bogdanovic downs Marsaxlokk

Marsaxlokk 1
Sliema Wanderers 2

Sliema Wanderers yesterday provided further proof why they are the champions of Malta and leading candidates to make it four titles on the trot when edging past a spirited Marsaxlokk side to notch their seventh successive win in as many matches.

The Blues' umpteenth victory was again built on sheer determination and resilience as, despite playing for more than 45 minutes with a player less after Stefan Giglio was sent off, they survived Marsaxlokk's incessant pressure before applying the killer touch nine minutes from time.

Marsaxlokk will certainly feel hard done by the final scoreline after throwing everything at Sliema in the second half. On the back of their performance yesterday, it seems safe to assume that the arrival of Ray 'Zazu' Farrugia as head of their technical sector will boost their fortunes as the players showed the kind of passion and determination that was sorely lacking in their previous outings.

There is still a long way to go and the southerners can still have their say in the race for the major honours this season.

A notable absentee from the Marsaxlokk bench was coach Atanas Marinov.

The Bulgarian coach yesterday told The Sunday Times that he needs time to reflect on his position following the appointment of Farrugia. Marinov, who was also absent from the team's training session on Friday, has not tendered his resignation as he is seeking to clarify the matter with the committee first.

Meanwhile, Farrugia awarded a recall to new club captain Cesar Paiber who has now recovered from a long-term knee injury.

Portuguese defender Nuno Gomes, who shrugged off a niggling injury, and Brazilian forward Wendell Gomes were named as substitutes while defender Charlò Magro skipped the match as he was unfit.

Edward Aquilina, the Sliema coach, welcomed back in the fray defenders Darren Debono and Alex Muscat who had missed the team's 2-1 win over Msida through suspension. Italian defender Mauro Di Lello and midfielder Orosco Anonam were only certified fit to start on the bench.

Marsaxlokk started aggressively and, after ten minutes, they had the ball in the Sliema net when Jamie Pace won possession with a high tackle on Giglio before rifling the ball past Murphy Akanji. Referee Joe Attard invalidated the goal as he deemed Pace's challenge to be illegal.

Three minutes later, Daniel Bogdanovic almost scored against his former employers when receiving from Muscat but his shot was turned away by Reuben Gauci.

On 15 minutes, the woodwork came to Sliema's rescue when Shaun Bajada's free-kick hit the bar before going out of play.

The match maintained its intensity despite the lack of scoring opportunities. Marsaxlokk's direct approach kept the Wanderers on their toes as the latter sought to hit their opponents with quick breaks.

Seven minutes from the break, Cleaven Frendo unleashed a powerful low shot that Akanji blocked in two attempts.

But it was Sliema who broke the stalemate against the run of play five minutes from the end of the first half. Bogdanovic sent in a teasing cross from the right, Woods failed to connect but Danilo Doncic sped in to volley the ball into the far corner.

Two minutes later, Sliema were reduced to ten players when Giglio was dismissed for a second bookable offence following a foul on Frendo.

As expected, Marsaxlokk pegged the Wanderers in their own half at the start of the second half but the first chance fell to Sliema eight minutes after restart.

In a quick break, Noel Turner freed Bogdanovic who, with only Gauci to beat, incredibly shot wide to the relief of the Marsaxlokk clan.

Equilibrium was restored on 59 minutes. Gareth Sciberras fed Frendo in the area, the ball fell in the path of Kevin Sammut who picked Pace at the far post. The former Pietà striker's first effort was blocked but he hammered the rebound past Akanji.

Three minutes later, the southerners should have taken the lead when Carlo Mamo's teasing cross found Andrè Schembri unmarked but the young striker incredibly headed over with only Akanji to beat.

Marsaxlokk kept piling on the pressure. Sammut sped through the Sliema defence and intelligently freed Schembri who, however, hesitated and the chance was lost.

Here, Farrugia, who watched the game from the stands, roped in Malcolm Licari in lieu of the tiring Schembri. The former Pietà forward threatened to leave an instant mark but his long-range shot was tipped over by Akanji.

Marsaxlokk were now pushing forward in numbers in search of a winner but their attacking approach inevitably left them exposed at the back. Sliema punished their opponents' eagerness to attack. Nine minutes from time, Woods won possession in midfield and after turning past his marker, served the unmarked Bogdanovic who easily tapped the ball home.

Three minutes from the end of normal time, Pace almost got Marsaxlokk back on level terms but his header from Paiber's free-kick skimmed the upright.

The southerners were again unlucky not to draw level in time added on when Wellman's scorching grounder came off the upright.

Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci-5.5, C. Mamo-5.5, S. Wellman-6, G. Sciberras-6, S. Bajada-6, K. Sammut-6 ('85 T. Templeman), A. Schembri-5.5 ('74 M. Licari), C. Frendo-6.5, C. Bart-Williams-6.5 ('68 K. Mamo), J. Pace-7, C. Paiber-6.

Sliema W.: M. Akanji-6, J. Brincat-5 ('77 J. Farrugia), A. Muscat-5, B. Said-6, D. Debono-7, N. Turner-7.5, D. Doncic-7, J. Chetcuti-6, I. Woods-7.5, S. Giglio, D. Bogdanovic-7.

Referee: Joe Attard.

Scorers: Doncic 40; Pace 59; Bogdanovic 81.

Yellow Cards: Giglio; Bogdanovic; Wellman; Turner.

Red card: Giglio 42.

BoV Player of the Match: Darren Debono (Sliema W.).