Sliema surprise champions Rabat

The National League got underway on Sunday and straight away turned up a surprise result as champions Rabat were held to a 2-2 draw by Sliema.

While Rabat have dominated the earlier competitions, taking both the Super Cup and the Challenge Cup, Sliema have been rather dismal in their performances suffering three defeats in the three games they played in the Challenge Cup.

Sunday's game was a different kettle of fish. While no one could argue that Rabat dominated the game territorially, Sliema put up a gritty performance that frustrated the Rabat juggernaut.

As expected, Sliema were soon on the back-foot as Rabat pushed forward in search of an early breakthrough. Sliema rode their early luck and tried to push forward on the break.

Azzopardi, in the Rabat goal, was never tested. But the first time he was really brought into action he had to pick the ball out of the net after Baldacchino, despite being pressed by a couple of defenders, slipped the ball under Azzopardi to put his side in the lead.

Sliema kept the advantage till half-time.

The opening minutes of the second half was a ferocious assault on the Sliema defence as Rabat threw everything into attack. Sliema somehow held out as Rabat's frustration began to affect their play.

The Sliema defence, with veterans Mallia and Cachia and youngsters Mifsud, Scicluna and Lentini did its bit, aided by a battling midfield. Something, however, had to give eventually. In the space of five minutes Rabat's pressure reaped its fruits.

First, Josef Antonelli tapped in from close range and a few minutes later the same Antonelli was impeded in the dee and from the resultant stroke Bugeja put his side 2-1 up.

Sliema, however, did not resign themselves to the inevitable and were determined to get a reward for their efforts. As Rabat took a breather after pulling back the score, Sliema pushed forward and from their first and only short corner of the day equalised. Their captain Caruana Smith beat Azzopardi with an angled push from the edge of the dee.

The final minutes were a repeat of the first part of the second half as Rabat threw everything into attack. This time, however, Sliema held on for an unexpected point.

Before this game it was Qormi Poiatti who chalked up the first three points of the season when they overcame the opposition of Britannia Tours White Hart 1-0.

The first chance fell to Qormi's Chris Bugeja who failed to latch on to a Tanti throughpass.

For White Hart, Borg Costanzi was becoming a source of danger. The game remained balanced although White Hart seemed to miss the work of David Agius in midfield.

Housley was the protagonist seven minutes into the second half but a grounded Galea cleared what seemed like an inevitable goal. White Hart's Borg Costanzi was a continuous threat as he rounded a couple of Qormi defenders but concluded poorly.

After 18 minutes Qormi scored what was to be the match-winner. Chris Bugeja produced a fine run down the right; his cross was picked up at the far post by Bianchi who slotted in past Galea.

White Hart's reaction was immediate and inevitably it came from Borg Costanzi who dribbled his way into the Qormi dee but saw his hit blocked by goalkeeper Chircop.

A few minutes later it was Bugeja who wasted a short corner for Qormi and in the final minute both sides could have added to the scoreline.

First, Tua stumbled when he was in a good position and at the other end Micallef's hit was well stopped by Andrew Galea.