Sliema ASC storm past Heybeliada SC to move on the brink of Challenger Cup semi-final spot

SLIEMA ASC              25

HEYBELIADA SC      11

(8-2, 6-0, 5-3, 6-6)

Sliema ASC moved on the brink of a place in the semi-finals of the Challenger Cup after thrashing Turkish side Heybeliada SC 25-11 in their second Final 8 fixture on Friday in Istanbul.

As the scoreline shows, the Maltese side were a class above their opponents and secured the points with a dominant display in the opening two sessions, racing to a commanding 14-2 lead.

From then on, the Blues administered their advantage as they strolled home to a comfortable win and to all but secure a spot in the semi-finals of the European competition for the second successive season.

Sliema will now await the result of the clash between San Ġiljan and Galatasaray, to see if they secure mathematical certainty of a place in the semi-finals.

Later on Friday, Sliema will face Galatasaray in their final group fixture.

The Blues were off to a storming start as they immediately took control of the match, scoring six times without reply following goals from Liam Galea, Aleksandar Ivovic (2), Julian Chircop, and Jake Cachia (2).

The Turks looked stunned, and Sliema added two more goals from Jayden Cassar and Cachia to end the session 8-2 ahead.

Produced more of the same in the second session, as they whitewashed their opponents, scoring six more goals through Elijah Schembri, Ivovic, Cassar, Sebastian Busuttil, Cachia, and Benjamin Busuttil to change ends 14-2 ahead.

Sliema kept control in the third session, despite resting some players, as they found the net five times: Sam Engerer (2), a Galea penalty, Ivovic, and Jamie Gambin to extend their lead to 19-5.

The final session was purely for statistical purposes with Sliema firing home six more goals through Cassar (2), Gambin, Sebastian Busuttil (2) and Jake Cachia to wrap up their place into the last four.