Saliou Thioune wheels away after scoring Ħamrun Spartans' winner. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
ĦAMRUN SPARTANS 1
Thioune 56
FC RFS 0
ĦAMRUN SPARTANS
H. Bonello, R. Compri, S. Thioune (90 M. Hadzi), J. Mbong (90 E. Marcelina), V. Polito (69 S. Xerri), A. Coric (69 M. Garcia), Eder (74 M. El Fanis), O. Bjelicic, D. Simkus, R. Camenzuli.
FC RFS
M. Maric, A. Filipovic, R. Savjnieks, D. Zelenkovs, D. Lemajic, S. Panic, T. Wouter (57 I. Diomande), Z. Lipuscek, M. Talla, B. Diedhiou (46 P. Mares), S. Rakic (77 M. Kigurs).
Ħamrun Spartans moved a step closer towards an historic qualification in the UEFA Conference League when they beat FC RFS, of Latvia, in the first leg of the Play Off Round at the National Stadium.
Saliou Thioune was the Malta champions’ hero as the young forward fired home the winner early in the second half to give the Reds a vital lead heading into next Thursday’s second leg in Riga.
All the build-up to the match was marred by the poor conditions of the National Stadium pitch, but once the referee blew the whistle for the start of the match, the Spartans were focused on the task and produced an accomplished performance throughout the 90 minutes.
The Spartans showed great tactical diligence throughout the match. After withstanding RFS’s threat on the counter, they slowly started to impose themselves.
Their efforts were rewarded early in the second half when they finally hit the all-important goal from Thioune.
From then on, the Spartans showed great maturity to administer their advantage and secure a precious win that puts them in charge of the tie.
Ħamrun Spartans coach Giacomo Modica made three changes to his starting formation for Thursday’s UEFA Conference League Play Off Round clash against FK RFS, of Latvia, at the National Stadium.
The Reds are geared up to try and get a positive result as they look to stay on course for a historic qualification to the League Phase of a UEFA club competition.
The Spartans coach named Lithuanian midfielder Domantas Simkus in his starting XI at the expense of the injured Jovan Cadenovic.
On the other hand, Italian defender Vincenzo Polito was preferred to Emerson Marcelina, who was dropped to the bench.
Croatian midfielder Ante Coric was back in the starting formation after coming on as a late substitute against Maccabi Tel Aviv and Tarxien Rainbows.
The former Roma midfielder was preferred to Matias Garcia, who was included among the substitutes
The Spartans started on the front foot, forcing two early corners, but the first real chance came for the visitors when, in a lightning transition, Mor Talla released Barthelemy Diedhiou, who was through on goal, but his low shot skimmed past the upright.
The match remained evenly-balanced with RFS focusing their attacks on long balls on the towering Darko Lemajic, while the Spartans were focusing on making headway through their wingers Thioune and Joseph Mbong
Diedhiou’s pace was proving a handful, and on 19 minutes, the nippy forward again showed his pace to race clear but fired wide with only Bonello to beat.
Ħamrun’s first attempt on goal arrived on 20 minutes when Koffi picked up a rebound from a corner but fired wide.
Scoring chances remained few and far between as the pitch conditions were severely hurting either side’s cause as the first half ended in a goalless draw.
After the break RFS coach withdrew Diedhiou and roped in Petr Mares in a bid to add more cover to his flanks.
On 56 minutes, Ħamrun Spartans took the lead. From an RFS goalkick, Eder did well to steal possession and immediately fed Joseph Mbong. The Malta winger sent a dipping cross into the path of the sprinting Thioune, who fired the ball home.
The goal rattled RFS, who were desperate to get back into the match, with the Spartans trying to keep control of the match.
In the 70th minute, Modica effected a double change as Polito and Coric were forced to leave the pitch and were replaced by Sven Xerri and Matias Garcia.
Twelve minutes from time, Garcia raced clear on the right and served Koffi inside the area.
The Spartans forward fed Thioune whose shot was deflected to a corner.
From the ensuing flag kick, Xerri’s header was saved by Maric.
Six minutes from time, RFS threatened with a Lemajic header that finished wide.
Eight minutes of stoppage time were given by the referee, but the Spartans diligently preserved their advantage, and at the final whistle, there were huge celebrations by the numerous Spartans’ fans.
