Second-half fightback earns Sirens a point against Żebbuġ Rangers

SIRENS 3

Cipriott 10, Wilker 51og, Bento 68

ŻEBBUĠ RANGERS          3

Lokoli Ngoy 9, 17, 38

SIRENS

A. Cassar-4, G. Camilleri-5, M. Muniz-5, R. Tachikawa-7, Wellignton-5 (46 Weder-6) , S. Cipriott-6, A. Cini-5, V. De Vale-5, G. Fernandes-5, D. Jackson-4, E. Arab-5.5 (76 M. Maggi).

ŻEBBUĠ RANGERS

J. Azzopardi-5, S. Bugeja-5, L. Almeida-5, T. Bartolo-5 ( 56 G. Mifsud), Wilker-5, Y. Tonna-6 (80 J. Sciberras), A. Mizzi-5 (65 K. Bondin), C. Lokoli Ngoy-7, R. Vella-5 (56 J. Gesualdi), A. Solo Maldonado-6, S. Miloskovic-6.

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri

Yellow cards: R. Vella, Fernandes, Wilker, Weder

BOV Player of the match: Charles Ngoy Lokoli (Żebbuġ Rangers)

Sirens produced a brilliant fightback as they came from 3-1 down to draw against Żebbuġ Rangers in a six-goal thriller at the National Stadium.

Charles Ngoy Lokoli hit a stunning 30-minute hat-trick as Żebbuġ’s early show tore Sirens apart.

But the St Paul’s Bay side started to get back into the game after the break as Żebbug were unable to hold on their two-goal lead.

The Australian striker gave Żebbuġ the perfect start, putting them into the lead after just nine minutes, bursting through to fire behind Andrea Cassar.

Żebbuġ’s joy did not last long though as Sean Cipriott’s clinical strike on 10 minutes put Sirens back in the game.

The Rangers responded with their best spell of the game that saw Ngoy Lokoli’s deflected shot finishing behind Cassar.

Playing with renewed confidence, Żebbuġ had plenty of chances to extend their lead further with Ngoy Lokoli and Stanimir Miloskovic going close and their positive approach was rewarded on 38 minutes.

Almir de Jesus Soto Maldondo’s cross looked a routine effort, as Cassar rushed out of his lines. But the Sirens goalkeeper got nowhere near the ball that dropped into the path of Lokoli Ngoy. The striker chipped the ball over the stranded goalkeeper to put Żebbuġ 3-1 up.

Rei Tachikawa’s goal in the 51th minute – deflected off Wilker Rocha Santos past an unfortunate Jamie Azzopardi – gave Sirens some hope.

And Sirens snatched a point on 68 minutes when Vyctor Bento de Vale had to exercise his neck muscles to reach a low cross from the right to head the ball past Azzopardi.

There were still 22 minutes to go and Sirens poured forward in search of the winner with substitute Weder Soares da Silva coming close with a shot that flashed across the goal at death.

But there was to be no last-gasp winner as Żebbuġ and Sirens shared the spoils in an entertaining match.