Matchday 01: Valletta 3 Sirens 0
14/09/2024
Thane Micallef’s Valletta started their new Challenge League adventure on a positive note, beating Sirens 3-0 in the first Centenary Stadium kick off last Saturday night. It was a fully deserved victory for the Lilywhites, who could even effort to keep some established players on the bench throughout the 90 minutes.
It took the Citizens just nine minutes to open their account thanks to Andrei Ciolacu, who rounded off a cross from another new recruit, American winger Enoch Mashagalusa. On 23 minutes, James Scicluna (ex-Zabbar) should have doubled for Valletta but Andrea Cassar did well to block. Scicluna had another opportunity towards the end of the 1st half but his shot ended wide from an ideal angle.
Sirens came out of the dressing rooms more composed and even ventured forward whenever possible. However, on 67 minutes, Brandon Paiber found Scicluna unmarked in the box, heading home Valletta’s second goal. On 82 minutes, Brazilian substitute Jefferson Carioca added the third and last goal of the match from a swift Valletta counter-attack.
Source: MFA
VALLETTA: T. Aquilina, E. Biringanine Mushagalusa (J. Ferreira), N. Micallef , Z. Cassar, E Ruiz, A. Ciolacu, B. Paiber, A. Friggieri (J. Azzopardi), P. Xuereb, S. Mackay, J. Scicluna (P. Lapira).
SIRENS: A. Cassar, Z. Grech, R. Mercieca, M. Fenech, G. Leite Carrara, K. Muscat, J. Ellul (M. Agius), T. Zammit (J. Valletta), C. Da Silva Conceicao Filho, H. Akadom, J. Borg.
Scorers: 9′ A. Ciolacu, 67′ J. Scicluna, 82′ J. Ferreira.
Yellow Cards: 77′ J. Borg (S)
Referee: I. Barbara
Photos by Andrew Grima
