Mosta, Sirens play out draw

SIRENS 2

Domoraud 38, Wellington 50

MOSTA 2

Morisco 41, Meme 45

Sirens: M. Montfort-6, Wellington-7 (90 R. Romeu), Raphael-6, M. Mifsud-6.5 (65 A. Bustos), W. Domoraud-7, J.Walker-6, A. Borg-5.5, S. Tounkara-6, R. Scicluna-6, T. Agius ( 36 R. Grech-), T. Espindola-5.

Mosta: C. Mafoumbi-6, C. Ememe-6, J. Bezzina-7, C. Failla-5.5, G. Sciberras-6 (78 Z. Brincat), T. Farrugia-5, M. Muchardi-6, R. Morisco-6, B. Kaljevic-4, K. Tulimieri-4 (78 D. Bonniċi 88 L. Portelli), J. Ekani-5.5

Referee: Philip Farrugia

Yellow card: Espindola, Grech, Failla, Borg,

BOV player of the match: Wilfried Domoraud (Sirens).

Sirens and Mosta had to settle out for a point apiece yesterday after fighting out a 2-2 draw in an entertaining match.

While Mosta’s recent impetus had to be sustained for more security in the top half of the standings, Sirens were after a morale-booster in the shape of victory.

The two teams delivered the expected good things. Mosta drew on a gutsy determination and solid tactical sense as Sirens’ play had the stamp of unpredictability attached to their movements.

Giovanni Tedesco, who was appointed Sirens coach last week, seems to have immediately infused confidence and belief into his side.

The Italian mentor opted for a fluid 4-2-1-3 formation with Michael Mifsud assigned a roving role behind a three-pronged attack made of Wellington, Samba Tounkara and Wilfried Domoraud.

Play was swinging from end to end, but both goalkeepers were only summoned to cut crosses.

The game came to life in the 22nd minute when Matias Muchardi embarked on a surging run on the right flank but his cross found no takers.

Mifsud’s shot on 35 minutes came within inches of giving Sirens the lead, but his low drive curled just wide with Christoffer Mafoumbi beaten.

But Sirens would not regret the miss as in their next foray, Mosta’s Tyrone Farrugia tried to hack away Wellington’s cross but only succeeded in finding Tounkara. The Mali striker chipped the ball for the advancing Domoraud who lashed a fierce volley past the Congo goalkeeper and into the top corner. 

But Sirens’ mood quickly changed from jubilant to nervous as Mosta turned the match upside down in just eight minutes.

On 38 minutes, Rafael Morisco drew level when he prodded the ball in following Clayton Failla’s cross from a corner.  

In the first half injury time, Mosta took the lead.

All the spadework was done by Johann Bezzina who twisted and turned on the left flank before serving Christ Ememe. The rest was done by the Nigerian striker who hit a low shot behind Miguel Montfort.

A delightful one-two between Tounkara and Wellington resulted in Sirens drawing level soon after the break when the former squared it for the Brazilian striker to bury the ball home.

On 58 minutes, Sirens protested vehemently after Domoraud’s grounder was blocked by the sliding Farrugia. The Mosta captain appeared to have touched the ball with his hands but referee Philip Farrugia waved play on.

In the remaining minutes, both teams tried to push forward in search of a winner but in the end the stalemate prevailed.