LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — Swieqi United FC turned a back-and-forth contest into a 3-2 victory over Sirens on Sunday at Rajin’ Cajun Soccer/Track & Field Stadium, closing the match with a stoppage-time goal after twice answering Sirens’ scoring bursts. The match produced five goals and a late winner after Sirens had rallied from an early deficit to take a first-half lead. Swieqi United FC finished with three goals, while Sirens scored twice.

Swieqi United FC opened the scoring in the eighth minute when Zak Barbara found the net. Sirens responded quickly. Carlos Chaba leveled in the 15th minute, and Alan Schembri Wismayer put Sirens ahead in the 18th minute. The lead did not last. Vito Plut pulled Swieqi United FC even in the 30th minute, and the teams went to the break tied. Barbara’s opener came after Swieqi United FC controlled the opening exchanges, while Sirens needed only seven minutes to answer through Chaba. Schembri Wismayer then scored three minutes later to put Sirens in front before Plut equalized 12 minutes after that.

The match remained level deep into the second half before Salam Mawuena scored in the first minute of stoppage time to give Swieqi United FC the final margin. The late goal capped a rally that kept Sirens from turning its short first-half lead into a result. Swieqi United FC pressed for the winner as the second half wore on, and the decisive chance arrived after the regulation 90 minutes had elapsed. Sirens could not find a response after Mawuena’s goal.

Carlos Chaba and Alan Schembri Wismayer each scored once for Sirens. Zak Barbara, Vito Plut and Salam Mawuena each scored once for Swieqi United FC. The five goals came from five different players, with Chaba, Schembri Wismayer, Barbara, Plut and Mawuena supplying the key attacking finishes in a match that shifted repeatedly. Chaba, Schembri Wismayer, Barbara, Plut and Mawuena were each on the field for the full match and each finished with one goal. Sirens held the advantage only briefly after Schembri Wismayer’s goal, while Swieqi United FC answered through Plut and then found the late breakthrough through Mawuena.

Swieqi United FC improved to 1 win and 1 loss in this competition and 1 win and 1 loss across all competitions. Sirens fell to 0 wins and 2 losses in the competition and 1 win, 2 losses and 1 draw across all competitions. The result gave Swieqi United FC its first victory in the competition this season while Sirens remained without a win in the competition. Swieqi United FC had previously lost to Zebbug in its only other match in the competition. Sirens entered the match after a scoreless draw with Swieqi United FC, a loss to Naxxar, a draw with Fgura United and a win over Zurrieq.

Sirens’ upcoming schedule includes matches against Tarxien, Melita, Vittoriosa, St Andrews, Victoria HS, Santa Lucia FC and Zebbug. The loss left Sirens searching for its first competition win while Swieqi United FC moved to an even record in the competition. Swieqi United FC’s victory came after Sirens had taken a 2-1 lead in the first half, but Swieqi United FC responded with two unanswered goals. The home side’s final goal arrived in the first minute of stoppage time and ended Sirens’ hopes of earning a draw.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Swieqi United FC 2, Sirens 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Swieqi United FC with a 75.2 percent probability to win. Swieqi United FC had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -0.5. The total score of 5 went under the over/under line of 2.75.