One would have expected a better display from the Boys against a tougher Sliema side, following the disciplined approach shown in their previous match against Sirens but last night’s duel had different shades. In the first and third session the difference between the teams was minimal whereas in the second and fourth quarters, Exiles failed to keep up with the tempo, look tired and Sliema cashed in with their deadly fast breaks. In the last session there was only one team in the water and the partial score of 0-6 says it all, though the fact that Coach Dorian Pisani was red-carded in the third session might have had an adverse effect on the team’s morale. What I could not understand is the lack of use of the other substitutes on the bench during the last part of the game when the players in the water were exhausted.
There was positives of course when Exiles managed to have nine Sliema players excluded – the bulk were in the centre where David Pace Lupi kept his position and got most of the man-ups. The fact that the team failed to score any is something which the coach and players have to tackle and improve upon in the next few weeks. The drafting of youngsters in the team will bear its fruit and hope that the same youngsters will learn from their mistakes. We also saw Daniel Borg Millo score his first goal with a scorcher just before the half-way mark. Heads need to keep cool despite controversial decisions take by the referees – this fascinating game has always been and will remain a referee’s game.
Once again Dorian Pisani did not have at his disposal the full squad having Simon Vassallo missing for this encounter. The players utilized were Ian Bugeja, Julian Rizzo Naudi, David Pace Lupi, Daniel Borg Millo (1 goal), Sean Gravina (2 goals), Kurt Griscti, Nicky Paris, Andrea Bianchi, Luca Peric and Kayne Lanzon.
The team has now completed the first set of matches and will on Friday the 8th April, play Valletta United (placed 4th) in the Play-Offs stage to determine the final classification for the 4th to the 6th position of this year’s Winter League. The swim-up will take place at 19.30 hours.
KaFa
photo by Adrian Farrugia shows Sliema players (white caps) ready to sprint away as Kurt Griscti (blue cap) shoots at goal during last night’s encounter.
The Club President Andrew Paris sent the following message to the members on the 29th May 2020, following the lifting of certain restrictions by the Health Superintendent’s Office: Dear Members, I trust that you…
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