Independence Cup Semi-Final

Nadur Youngsters - 2 vs Sannat Lions - 4

- by Jake Meilak

An early red card demoralized Nadur during the match against Sannat that was played  last Sunday at the Sannat Ground. In contrary to the other games played at Sannat Ground, the weather was a favorable one for both teams, with no strong winds and a lightly clouded sky. For the first thirty minutes of the match the Youngsters showed superiority both in skill and ball possession. In fact Nadur scored two goals in the first thirty minutes of play leaving Sannat behind. But as everyone was considering the match already closed,  the match itself turned out to be a diverse one.  Saviour Attard was sent off pitch after fouling the Sannat player Ferdinando in the penalty area and from eleven meters the same player  had no difficulty defeating Steve Sutana. Sannat were more threatening than ever and their continous attacks resulted in three more goals.The preliminary of the match was an energetic one and from the beginning both teams showed their sole aim; to find a goal. Sannat were the first of having a chance of scoring with the goaler of the Youngsters clearing with difficulty at just three minutes of play. The Youngsters responded for this action at the 4 th minute with Jeffery Meilak having good chances of opening the score after hitting the vertical left pole. Both teams used the long passes tactic while playing the safe game.

After 5 minutes Charlie Hili failed in beating the Sannat goaler after trying a distant shot. Some seconds later Simoncic nearly missed the target after a cross from Portelli. Nadur where the first to open the score at the 12th fminute from a corner. Simoncic took the corner and Josef Buttigieg managed to get the ball from the other side of the ground passing it to Portelli which from an ideal position had few difficulty in beating the keeper. Three minutes after Nadur managed to score the second goal, again from a corner with Charles Hili putting the ball in the net after a mistake from the defence. The 26th minute was crutial for Nadur and  dissatisfactory. The Sannat player Ferdinando was fouled in the penalty area by Attard and the referee declared a penalty and without hesitation Attard was also ordered to leave the pitch. Ferdinando opened the score(pen.) for Sannat  and Nadur were now leading  with only one goal. Nadur could have made it 3-1 after Alex Simoncic freekick resulted over the pole at the 34th minute.Sannat tried to get the lead over Nadur taking advantage of any possible action. This was done in the 40th minute when J.Camilleri  put the ball in the net after a mistake from the defence of the whites.

The second half was similar to the first one with many long passes from both sides. Kyle Russel was substituted with M.Zerafa for the upcoming half. After  only seven minutes of play Nadur had good chance of taking again the lead with a shot off target nearly touching the pole. At the 11th minute of the second half Nadur were given a freekick after Portelli has been severely  fouled. Simonic was in charge of taking the freekick and he could have put Nadur in lead if it wasn’t for the Sannat keeper that made a partial save.Few minutes after Sannat responded for this action with the Nadur keeper Sultana having difficulty clearing. The 3rd goal for Sannat came after this action (20th minute), when the Sannat striker Johnny was left alone in the box and without any hesitation made it 3-2. A low shot was enough to beat the keeper since Steve Sultana was out of position. Sannat put into practice the off side tactic which Nadur had a bit of difficulty to overcome. The Youngsters continued to do their utmost despite the fact they were a 10-player team. It was at the 42nd minute when an attept by Sannat to score was dismantled by the keeper  but from the rebound the Sannat striker Mark had no difficulties in closing the match for a final score of Nadur-2 Sannat-4. Despite  Nadur failed in winning against Sannat, this game was significant for the Youngsters considering the teamwork of the players and the struggle until the last minutes of the match. The Youngsters are  now preparing to face Xewkija Tigers the coming Sunday at Sannat Ground. We remind all Nadur fans and the Nadur Ultras committee to attend for this game and support our team.

Sunday, 13th September 2009 at 17:00 p.m.
Referee: Anton Zammit
Skorers: Anthony Portelli 12', Charles Hili 15' (N), F. De Andrade 27' pen., John Camilleri 40', 66', Mark Formosa 89'(S).
Nadur Formation: Steve Sultana, Jeffery Meilak, Saviour Attard, Mario Portelli, Charles Hili, Ryan Meilak, Josef Buttigieg, Alex Simoncic, Claudio Antunes, Anthony Portelli, Kyle Russell (Michael Zerafa)