An improved Malta side deservedly beat Slovakia to put themselves in the driving seat to win the second edition of the SportMalta Christmas Cup.
Their victory over Slovakia coupled with favourable results elsewhere, has put them back in contention. Malta must beat Slovenia this morning in regular time to top the standings.
Malta coach Milan Cirovic must have been pleased with his side’s diligent display resulting into a 19-14 victory.
It was an improved Malta which had the lads summoning oxygen and diligence thanks mainly to the inspiration of Steve Camilleri and Nikolai Zammit together with an encouraging debut for promising goalkeeper Matthew Bonello DuPuis.
Bonello DuPuis standing guard between the goalposts for the first time was joined by Russell Caruana and Jerome Zerafa Gregory as Cirovic gave the Maltese youngsters time to shine.
In the first session, Slovakia edged in front most of the time, but Malta fought back to level the score on every occasion. Nikolai Zammit, Caruana, Sam Gialanze and Steve Camilleri all scored for Malta.
Early in the second session, Malta took the lead for the first time when Zammit netted a five-metre throw.
Andreas Galea profited from a double man- up situation to make it 6-4 as Slovakia lost the indomitable Patrick Tisaj and Adam Furman on a straight red.
With Tomas Bielik and Marco Mihal already suspended, Slovakia were down to bare bones.
At this point, Slovakia could not keep up with Malta.
Every time they cut the deficit, Malta restored their two-goal cushion, first through Jerome Zerafa Gregory, then with Galea as the locals changed ends 8-6 up.
There was no stopping Malta now, Camilleri (2) and Zerafa Gregory made it 11-6.
Samuel Balaz and Simon Matovcik put Slovakia back in the game.
Zammit restored the four-goal cushion after seeing the goalkeeper Tomas Hoferica blocking his five-metre shot.
Jake Bonavia eased the hosts nerves, before Ben Cachia and Zammit stretched Malta’s lead to six goals as Cirovic’s boys won the third session 7-3 for an aggregate score of 15-9.
The last session was purely a formality. Cirovic gave Camilleri a breather and introduced more youngsters.
The Slovakia captain Balaz woke up to his responsibilities by scoring four goals but the local boys kept their heads above the water.
Slovakia shaded the last session 5-4 with Malta goals coming from Cachia, Bonavia, Galea and Zerafa Gregory.
MALTA 19
SLOVAKIA 14
(4-4, 4-2, 7-3, 4-5)
MALTA
B. Busuttil, R. Caruana 1, A. Galea 3, L. Galea 1, S. Gialanzè 1, B. Cachia 2, S. Camilleri 3, J. Bonavia 2, J. Zerafa Gregory 2, N. Zammit 4, D. Zammit, M. Azzopardi, M. Bonello DuPuis, M. Castillo.
SLOVAKIA
T. Hoferica, M. Valko, M. Klescinsky 1, D. Klescinsky, S. Matovcik 2, T. Baco 1, A. Furman 2, D. Baco 1, P. Tisaj 1, S. Balaz 6, F. Balogh
Refs: Ronnie Spiteri, N. Mercieca
OTHER RESULTS: Slovenia vs Portugal 18-14; Slovakia vs Portugal 10-14.
