Marsaxlokk 11 Exiles Elia Caterers 15

Partial Scores (2-4) (2-4) (3-4) (4-3)

A well-drilled Exiles’ side revenged their first round defeat at the hands of the Southerners when last night both teams met in their last match of the second round of the Premier Waterpolo League.

Igor Vukanovic changed tactics to block Marsaxlokk’s main spearhead Nagaev. The Russian still managed to squeeze 5 goals at the back of the Exiles’ net however rather than placing a single block, the Exiles defence gave a hand to their keeper Matthew Castillo by blocking the final shot. The latter was back in the side still nursing an injury but was instrumental in thwarting the opponents’ shots at his goal. Exiles were always in the lead and always kept a comfortable margin.

Another factor which helped Vukanivic’s boys tilt the balance was the accurate shooting of certain players who rose to the occasion and contributed to the whole team’s success to win the first three points and leapfrog Marsaxlokk in the league table.

Man-ups  – Exiles scored 2 on 7 exclusions. Marsaxlokk converted 2 on 10 extra men one of which was in the dying seconds of the match when Exiles had 3 players excluded.

Apart from Matthew Castillo, Igor Vukanovic   made use of the following players Michele Stellini (4 goals), Marco Jelaka, Timmy Sullivan (3 goals), Sean Xerri de Caro, Mark Fenech, Kurt Griscti (1 goal), Milos Vukicevic (1 goal), Aurelien Cousin (3 goals), Nicky Paris (3 goals) and Philip Paris.

The next phase of this season’s Premier League are the play-offs for two berths in the semi-final stage.

Exiles face Sirens when they meet on Tuesday 20th August at 19.30 whilst on the same evening third-placed San Giljan take on Marsaxlokk. Neptunes and Sliema qualified automatically into the final four after topping the League table at the end of the two Preliminary Rounds.

KaFa

photo by Adrian Farrugia shows Milos Vukicevic (blue cap) tackled by Keith Galea

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