Deadly Doncic sinks 10-man Pietà

Pietà Hotspurs 0
Sliema Wanderers 3

Michael Mifsud has been getting all the attention for his massive impact on Sliema Wanderers since he returned to the comfort of Maltese football last month.

A combination of Sliema's failure to scale the heights in a disappointing first round and Danilo Doncic's stuttering scoring form had turned the heat on the Blues' chief goal-getter in the two seasons Mifsud spent with Bundesliga club Kaiserslautern.

In keeping with Sliema's astonishing revival in the second round, Doncic's fortunes have also improved, a fact abundantly underlined yesterday when the Serbian forward's hat-trick helped Sliema consolidate their top spot in their last second round encounter.

Their victims were Pietà Hotspurs who had beaten the champions 3-1 in the first round. Ray Farrugia's ensemble was widely expected to give the buoyant champions, undefeated in their last nine matches, a good run for their money only for their resistance to be undone by Doncic and the early expulsion of Chris Okoh in a game in which the control of referee Marco Borg left much to be desired.

The three points collected yesterday take Sliema's tally to 41 points, meaning that the Blues will now start the Championship Pool as the leading side with 21 points.

Alain Ekwe, yet to prove his worth at Pietà after filling the boots left by compatriot Fransis Omam last month, outpaced Kris Laferla after five minutes, but his diagonal shot lacked the power and accuracy to trouble Murphy Akanji in the Sliema goal.

A hamstring problem incurred in the 4-0 rout of Hamrun Spartans the previous week placed a question mark over Orosco Anonam's fitness for his team's final encounter of the second round. The Nigerian midfielder-cum-forward's recovery was quicker than expected as he was awarded a starting role behind the Blues' attacking duo of Mifsud and Doncic.

Pietà, who had Pierre Aquilina (sick) and Keith Fenech (suspended) out of their team, may have given their faithful and the gathering Birkirkara fans good cause for celebration after five minutes. Anatole Debono received a pass inside the area and laid the ball off for Cleaven Frendo, whose rising shot brought a fine save from Akanji who smothered the ball away for a corner.

It was hard toil with no effect for Sliema in those opening stages as Pietà's no nonsense movement around the pitch helped them ensure their fair share of possession.

The Hotspurs' persistence in the final third carved out an opening midway into the first half but Ivan Woods' scorcher hit the back of a defender and the danger was eventually diluted.

On 29 minutes, Sliema secured a double-boost in one move as they were awarded a penalty after Okoh was deemed to have impeded the goalbound Doncic who had been sent clear by Anonam. Referee Marco Borg went for his back pocket to brandish the red card in the face of the Pietà defender, triggering bold protests from the Hotspurs players.

After the tension had been diffused, Mifsud took a short run to strike the ball from the penalty mark but his drive touched the foot of the far post and trickled wide.

Farrugia's response to Okoh's expulsion was to introduce Edward Azzopardi in lieu of Ekwe. Anonam's drive from the edge of the area flashed wide of the post.

Five minutes from the end of the first half, Sliema had their noses ahead. Anonam unlocked the backtracking Pietà rearguard with a cute pass to Mifsud whose run was curbed by the on-rushing Darmanin, but the rebound dropped at the feet of Doncic who stabbed the ball into the roof of net.

The Wanderers could have made a decisive step towards the three points five minutes into the second half had it not been for a providential intervention by Mauro Di Lello.

Pietà had surrendered possession in midfield, Anonam quickly sent the ball forward to the unmarked Mifsud who strayed towards the flank to evade the advances of Darmanin but his angled effort was kept out by Di Lello.

The Hotspurs' respite was temporary though as Sliema doubled their lead in their next attack, Doncic rifling the ball past Darmanin after receiving from Anonam.

It was all Sliema now, Carlo Mamo moving past Sharlon Pace and crossing for Anonam but the Nigerian's header was too central to cause any anxiety to Darmanin.

Twenty minutes into the second half, Sliema threatened to add to their lead but again found the resolute Di Lello in their way.

The Italian displayed his defensive intelligence when keeping out Doncic's drive after the latter had surged past Darmanin and looked odds on to score his third of the game.

Doncic's wait to notch his hat-trick was not a long one as 19 minutes from the end of the game, the Serb poked the ball home after fine work by skipper Noel Turner on the right.

The game was now as good as over with Sliema understandably easing off against their depleted opponents who had long given up their fight.

Three minutes from the end, Sliema should have made it 4-0 when the ball reached Mamo on the left but his angled shot beat Darmanin only for Di Lello to block again.

Pietà: S. Darmanin, M. Di Lello, C. Okoh, D. Okonkwo, G. Sciberras, I. Woods, B. Nisevic, A. Ekwe (E. Azzopardi), S. Pace, A. Debono (A. Spiteri), C. Frendo (W. Borg).

Sliema W.: M. Akanji, J. Brincat (D. Sylla), C. Mamo, B. Said, N. Turner (I. Ciantar), D. Doncic, J. Chetcuti, O. Anonam (R. Mangion), S. Giglio, M. Mifsud, K. Laferla.

Referee: Marco Borg.

Scorers: Doncic 40, 51, 71.

Yellow Cards: Nisevic; Okonkwo; Laferla.

Red Card: Okoh 29.

MIA Player Of The Match: Danilo Doncic (Sliema W.).