Malta U-16 trounce Mexico to set up South Africa clash

MEXICO 8

MALTA 22

(3-5, 2-7, 1-4, 2-6)

Malta’s endeavours in the World Aquatics Championship were rewarded with an emphatic win, making up for the disappointment of failing to qualify for the knock-out stages.

Malta chalked up their second victory of the tournament when they defeated Mexico with something to spare.

It was an absolute mismatch as Malta rolled in the goals against Mexico with a minimum of effort.

The one-sided nature of this clash was apparent from the very beginning.

Malta started in brisker fashion, scoring four times without reply, they were briefly caught up midway through the first session, but once the first liners were back in the water, the local boys never looked back.

Malta gradually wore down their opponents mentally to end the second session on top note, showing the Mexicans a clean pair of heels to change ends 12-5.

It was a matter of how far the Maltese could extend their advantage in terms of goals and whether all their components, apart from the goalkeepers, could insert their names on the scoresheet.

With Zack Dzanovic looking impenetrable after the break, Malta did not slow down in their scoring rate.

It was more of a casual training session for Jonathan Valletta’s boys the hapless team from Mexico conceding goals at regular intervals.

Understandably, Valletta made use of most of the manjack at his disposal, bringing into the squad the second-choice goalkeeper Zak Attard.

The momentum of wholesale substitutions by Malta was never halted as did their scoring rate which reached the 20-goal mark one minute from time. Malta beat Mexico 22-8

For statistical purposes, each of the Malta’s players, bar youngster Benjamin Lewis, Philip Tabone and Andreas Fava who was fouled out early in the match, inserted their name in the scorers list. Andre Aquilina, Sam Engerer, Shailon Cutajar Casha and Max Lanzon scored four goals apiece. Aquilina was voted the player of the match.

Malta will play South Africa on Saturday at 7pm at the Cottonera Sports Complex.

MEXICO: L.Castillo, A Hurtado 2, V. Ramos 1, C. Nunez, S. Del Rio, P. Ponce 2, J. Dominiguez 1, S. Hernandez, E. Rivera, H. Luna, A. Romero 1, I. Mendoza 1, A. Hernandez

MALTA: Z. Dzanovic, M. Lanzon 4, T. Fenech 1, A. Aquilina 4, S. Cutajar Casha 4, M. Cassar 1, S. Mifsud 2, S. Engerer 4, J. Pawley Neame 2, J. Borg Tabone, A. Fava, P. Tabone , Z. Attard, B. Lewis.

Refs: A. Mustata (Romania), N. Tan (Singapore).