The YoHealth Malta Premier League got underway last weekend, and the opening day was not short of excitement and controversy.
Valletta marked their return to the Maltese top-flight with a battling goalless draw against Birkirkara while title challengers Sliema Wanderers, Hibernians, Marsaxlokk and Floriana were all victorious.
Ħamrun Spartans avoided a shock defeat to newly-promoted Tarxien Rainbows when netting a late equaliser for a 1-1 draw.
Here is a roundup of all the action from Matchday 1 by SportsDesk.
Valletta FC (0 – 0) Birkirkara FC
The top match of the weekend was the clash between Birkirkara and Valletta.
The clash, as expected, attracted a huge crowd who saw both teams battling for victory, but in the end, neither side could come out on top as the stalemate prevailed.
Żabbar St. Patrick FC (1 – 2) Sliema Wanderers FC
Sliema Wanderers kick-started their title challenge with a 2-1 win over Żabbar St Patrick.
The Blues raced into a two-goal lead courtesy of a Mayron own goal and a opportunistic strike from Thiago Espindola.
Żabbar refused to throw in the towel and pulled a goal back through Haroun Tchaouna, while substitute Mario Fontanella was close to a spectacular equaliser but his volley came off the bar.
Marsaxlokk FC (1 – 4) Mosta FC
Marsaxlokk were off to a winning start when they beat Mosta 3-1.
Brazilian forward Marcelo Barros was the Southerners’ hero when grabbing a brace, with the other goal coming from Dodo Soares.
Zachary Brincat had temporarily equalised for Mosta, who had Goncalvo Alves sent off late on.
Tarxien Rainbows FC (1 – 1) Ħamrun Spartans FC
Ħamrun Spartans needed a late Vincenzo Polito goal to rescue a 1-1 draw against newly-promoted Tarxien Rainbows.
The Blues took the lead after only four minutes against a depleted Ħamrun Spartans side who opted to rest their starting XI ahead of their UEFA Conference League tie against KF RFS, of Latvia.
Ħamrun piled up the pressure and managed to equalise through Polito’s tap-in.
The Rainbows could have won it in stoppage time but Claudio da Silva Barbosa’s inswinger came off the bar with goalkeeper Celio beaten.
Naxxar Lions FC (1 – 1) Floriana FC
Floriana eased to a 3-1 win over Naxxar Lions.
The Greens raced into a two-goal lead courtesy of goals from Mustapha Jah and Francisco Teixeira.
Naxxar pulled a goal back through Mariano, but the Greens sealed the points with a third goal scored by Iago Mendonca.
Hibernians FC (1 – 1) Gżira United FC
In the final match of the weekend, Hibernians came back from 3-1 down to beat Gżira United 5-3.
The Maroons looked on their way to a comfortable win as goals from Johan Bonilla (2) and Francisco Silva put them in control after Jurgen Degabriele had temporarily put Hibernians ahead.
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