Waterpolo: Neptunes emerge from the gloom to beat San Ġiljan on penalties

SAN ĠILJAN JP PROJECTS 11NEPTUNES VIDEOSLOTS 11(2-1), (6-3), (2-4), (1-3)(Neptunes win 5-4 on penalties) A morale booster for Neptunes Videoslots in their quest to become serious t

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Jul 28 2024
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Waterpolo: Neptunes emerge fro

SAN ĠILJAN JP PROJECTS 11

NEPTUNES VIDEOSLOTS 11

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

(Neptunes win 5-4 on penalties)

A morale booster for Neptunes Videoslots in their quest to become serious title contenders again and discover the best form ahead of the play-offs. It was again a direct encounter that had to be decided on penalties, but this time Neptunes got the better off their opponents winning 5-4 on penalties after Nikolai Zammit’s shot hit the post following an 11-11 draw.

Despite Neptunes’ efforts, San Ġiljan must feel upset not to kill the game when they could. The dismissal of goalkeeper Jake Tanti, after being fouled out at the end of the second session, had its impact but San Ġiljan still lost a 9-4 lead at the beginning of the third session, missed several man-ups and became fragile in defence during the second part of the game.

The match got off to an unusual start as both teams had the opportunity to take the lead from a penalty in the opening minutes. Jake Muscat’s penalty was saved by Jake Tanti while few seconds later, Alan Borg Cole responded to save the shot by Aaron Younger.

The Australian recovered from his mistake a few seconds later to put his team ahead. Alec Fenech equalised until Nikolai Zammit regained the lead for his team with a shot two seconds from the end of the session.

This goal served launched San Ġiljan as they took the control of the game in the second session. They were facing goal in an easy manner and could have opened a bigger margin if it wasn’t for the post and saves by Borg Cole.

Zeljko Kovacic’s men stretched their lead to 8-3 after four consecutive goals, two of them from Younger. Neptunes failed to take advantage of several man-up situations and at that point, they could only play catch-up with their opponents. But the last seconds of the session surely influenced the outcome as goalkeeper Jake Tanti was fouled out, quite rare for a goalkeeper.

Neptunes upped their pressure in the third session, knowing that the national team goalkeeper is no longer in goal. After Jake Bonavia made it 9-4 early in the session, Neptunes slowly started to recover and scored four consecutive goals to cut the deficit to only a goal. But Jeremy Abela assured his team started the last session two goals in front with a beauty.

Two goals from Stevie Camilleri and Alec Fenech cancelled the difference but the ever present Younger kept San Ġiljan with their noses in front. That was only until Dmitrii Kholod equalised from the right side. Both teams missed occasions in the last minute of the game and so penalties had to separate both teams again.

Stevie Camilleri, Dmitrii Kholod, Jake Muscat and Sam Gialanze scored the four penalties for Neptunes. On the other hand, Matthew Zammit, Nicholas Bugelli, Aaron Younger and Darren Zammit scored for San Ġiljan. Alec Fenech scored the fifth penalty for Neptunes while the shot by Nikolai Zammit hit the upright.

San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, N. Bugelli, D. Tully, R. Caruana, A. Younger (4), M. Zammit, J. Bonavia (2), J. Zammit, J. Abela (1), N. Zammit (2), D. Zammit (1), N. Schiavone (1), G. Borg, G. Bonavia

Neptunes: A. Borg Cole, D. Kholod (2), S. Gialanze, G. Pace, J. Camilleri, L. Mallia, S. Camilleri (3), M. Castillo, J. Muscat (3), J. Bajada (1), A. Fenech (2), E. Mallia, M. Rossi, D. Bugeja

Referees: Fabio Brasiliano, Alex de Raffaele

SLIEMA FRANK SALT 24

BIRŻEBBUĠA FREEPORT 12

(7-3), (3-2), (6-4), (8-3)

Another game, another win for Sliema Frank Salt. A 24-12 win against bottom placed team Birżebbuġa Freeport that permitted Giannis Katrouzanakis’ team to climb solely on top of the table. Sliema showed their potential with a collective effort as even the youngsters in the team had the time to shine during this match.

Sliema built a three-goal cushion from the early moments of the match, an advantage that was never lost. Birżebbuġa could only respond to the goals by their opponents and reduced partially the gap to 5-2 in the first session, 7-4 and 8-5 in the second session.

After Sliema started the third session with a comfortable 10-5 advantage, Birżebbuġa pulled two goals back from Alberto Barroso and veteran Neil Cassar. This was a wake-up call for Sliema as they increased their level to score three goals for a 13-7 lead, an advantage that was stretched to 16-9 by the end of the session.

The goal bonanza continued in the last session as Sliema had the chance to win by a larger margin. Liam Galea scored a hat-trick, Dino Zammit and Jayden Cassar scored a brace each alongside the goal by Jayden Cutajar.

Sliema: N. Grixti, E. Schembri (2), L. Galea (3), J. Gambin (1), G. Cannella (4), B. Cachia, J. Cutajar (2), D. Rizzo (1), J. Brownrigg, S. Engerer, Z. Mizzi (2), D. Zammit (5), M. Castillo, J. Cassar (4)

Birżebbuġa: M. Sladden, M. Aquilina, N. Cassar (3), B. Grech (1), S. Bezzina, M. Manara, A. Barroso (6), M. Cassar, D. Farrugia, M. Cutajar, M. Mannino (1), M. Curmi (1), S. Livori, D. Incorvaja

Referees: Alessandro Cavallini, Stefan Licari

FIRST DIVISION

EXILES WELBEE’S 15

TA’ XBIEX AMIGOS 8

(3-0), (6-1), (2-1), (4-6)

Exiles: Z. Dzanovic, Z. Cutajar Licari, Z. Micallef, D. Pace Lupi, M. Martellacci (2), N. Bonavia (1), D. Gogov (4), K. Griscti (2), N. Paris, K. Tanti (2), M. Fenech (3), N. Saliba, G. Galea Curmi, S. Cutajar Casha (1)

Ta’ Xbiex: J. Micallef, J. Farrugia, V. Figliomeni, L. Grech Carr (1), F. Scardino (3), M. Jelaca (1), J. Saliba (1), M. Naudi, M. Soler, J. Culic (1), G. Gatt, P. Tabone, A. Theuma, T. Fenech (1)

Referees: Alessandro Cavallini, Juana Cauchi

Premier League

P W D L F A Pts

Sliema 8 7 1 0 122 81 22

San Ġiljan 8 5 3 0 128 78 20

Sirens 8 4 0 4 78 88 12

Neptunes 8 3 2 3 97 91 12

Valletta 8 2 0 6 103 119 6

Birżebbuġa 8 0 0 8 64 135 0

*2 points for the winner and 1 point for the loser if the game must be decided on penalties

First Division

P W D L F A Pts