Exiles 11 Sirens 11

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

It has become the norm for our boys to start the match in low gear giving their opponents an adequate advantage to administer throughout the match. Yesterday’s initial start against Sirens was the continuation of the previous outing against Valletta United when the team lost heavily. One has to fathom why our lads, once again, have to give a five goal advantage by nearly half-way through the game before reacting. The team must be lauded for managing to foul out Sirens’ dangerman Csaba Kiss four minutes in the third quarter and skipper David Cutajar by the end of the same session but  they were not able to cruise past our depleted opponents who had also Zack Mizzi side-lined with an injury. This what is lacking this season the our boys – the grit to take the match in hand, block out of the game Italian Presciutti and the  bag the three points. In the last session when  trailing by a goal (10-11) with six minutes to the final horn, Exiles had three man-up situations with the last one in the final minute when the score was level but the final shot of Katonas smacked against the upright to miss a golden chance of nosing ahead at the right time twenty seconds to the end.

Maurizio Mirarchi never gave up hope although in several occasions, he showed signs of impatience with the boys as he played every combination to win this match which had no bearing on the final classification but there was the element of satisfaction and pride at stake.

Exiles added another point to its tally but squandered a good opportunity to build its sagging morale.

Out of the 10 man-up situations, we missed 8 and scored only twice. Two penalties were awarded and converted by Luka Sikulic. Sirens had 9 man-ups but only converted two. There was also a double expulsion one from each side.

The following players were utilized Ian Bugeja, Julian Rizzo Naudi, Simon Vassallo (2 goals), David Pace Lupi (1 goal), Gergerly Katonas (3 goals), James Spiteri Staines (1 goal), Kurt Griscti, Luka Sekulic (4 goals), Peter Borg, Benji Lanzon, Nicky Paris and Kayne Lanzon.

The final match for Exiles in the Relegation Pool is scheduled for Tuesday the 26th August 2014 at the National Pool at 20.00 hours when Exiles take on once again Valletta United.

KaFa

photo by Adrian Farrugia

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