Sirens 8 Exiles 6

(1-1) (3-0) (2-3) (2-2)

The lack of determination and scoring power seen in the previous outing were evident throughout yesterday’s match against a well- drilled Sirens side that ran out worthy winners. The latter concentrated on caging Romain Blary leaving the rest of the Exiles team to have a shot – taking a much lower risk than the deadly ones of   Frenchman who swam incessantly, procured expulsions but was not as sharp as in previous outings. In the attack, the team lacked the methods to break the defence set by our opponents.

One may ask, ‘Does our team feel more pressure  when facing a side like Sirens fresh from a very convincing performance against Sliema or does it have to start as an underdog to express itself better?’

Evident again was the goal shyness by certain players who do not shoulder the responsibility of taking a shot at goal knowing well enough the level of the opposing goalkeeper. Baring Peter Borg (in photo) who yesterday scored a brace, Romain Blary and Vojislav Cupic, there were hardly attempts at goal from the other players.

In their fast breaks, our lads were also caught a few times by the referees, committing contra fouls  which proved detrimental to the morale.

The first two sessions were wasted with sloppy passing and fast breaks that proved futile in the end. Sirens built up a three goal margin mid-way through the match when Exiles should have built a comfortable lead had the chances been taken. In the third session the team reacted positively by scoring three quick goals to level 4-4 but instead of overtaking their opponents, they relaxed again letting two gift goals, one of which was in my view, was irregular. The last session was exciting as our lads inched closer on two occasions but Sirens nosed ahead to regain their two-goal lead. With four minutes to the final bell, Exiles failed to profit from the definite expulsion of Kiss (Sirens) after his third personal fault. Instead, two exclusions  from our team occurred with Sirens now playing the clock to win their first three points to send our team  once again empty-handed to the bottom of the league table after round one of the Premier League.

For the record Sirens had seven man-ups with two conversions whilst Exiles had nine man-up situations and just two converted. Two penalties were awarded and given by Cupic who  missed the first one but made sure of converting the second.

Coach Aurelien Cousin made use of the following players Ian Bugeja, Julian Rizzo Naudi, David Pace Lupi, Romain Blary (1 goal), Nicky Portelli, James Spiteri Staines, Vojislav Cupic ( 3 goals), Kurt Griscti, Peter Borg ( 2 goals) and Kayne Lanzon.

Kafa

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