Hibernians 2
Valletta 3
Valletta are six points clear above Hibernians this morning, after beating their nearest challengers yesterday in the top-of-the-table clash. With five matches remaining, this significant, although not unassailable, lead should be enough for the leaders to administer till the end of the season, on their way to the championship.
Both teams came into the game in some sort of form.
It was an enjoyable match that provided five goals, two penalties and a sending off of Valletta’s keeper Andrew Hogg. Hibernians made the more assertive start, taking the lead midway through the first half with a Luis Edison goal, but Valletta battled well and before the half was over they equalized through their captain Gilbert Agius.
A penalty in the second half paved the way for Valletta’s victory who scored another goal in the late stages. Another penalty for Hibernians deep into added time failed to deny the leaders their deserved win.
The suspensions of Jackson Lima for Hibernians and Steve Borg for Valletta, prompted both coaches to modify their tactics.
Hibernians had Marcelo Dias starting the match, wide on the left, with Edward Herrera on the right. Aaron Xuereb was back as central defender, with Adrian Pulis exiled to the bench.
Valletta meanwhile moved Ian Azzopardi as centre back and dropped Roderick Briffa as right back, meaning Gilbert Agius started in midfield, with Edmond Agius back in front of the defence, after suspension.
Hibernians looked sharper on the ball in the opening minutes, and Caruana and Azzopardi looked uncomfortable with the darting runs of Luis Edison inside their area.
Herrera was the first to test keeper Hogg with a low drive.
On nine minutes, Zongo could have gone for goal himself, but as he passed the ball to Mifsud, the Hibernians’ clearance again fell to Zongo who forced keeper Mifsud into a difficult save.
Hibernians broke the deadlock on 23 minutes. Luis Edison ran in well for Cohen’s delicate splitting pass and with Mady late to tackle, he drove the ball low past keeper Hogg.
After that, Valletta substituted Azzopardi with Roderick Bajada, and Barbosa retreated in central defence. The Brazilian was lucky to get away with his handling outside the area as Luis Edison tried to chase a long ball forward on 36 minutes.
But three minutes later, equilibrium was restored. From Denni’s corner from the right, Gilbert Agius, standing on the penalty spot, scored with a low firm header.
Valletta went close again before the break. Denni put Gilbert Agius through on the right but his testing cross was not controlled by Mifsud and the chance went to waste.
Gilbert Agius did not turn up in the second half due to some muscle problem and was substituted by Terence Scerri.
Goalscoring chances were less frequent after the restart, with Zongo and Mifsud failing to put their shots on target and Vandelannoite’s effort was too weak to trouble Hogg.
Valletta’s stranglehold in midfield, ensured that Hibernians’ were reduced to ineffectual back tracking, with Dias and Luis Edison mostly marooned.
On 64 minutes, Valletta were awarded a penalty when, on Scerri’s cross from the left, Denni fell as he came into contact with Xuereb inside the area. William Barbosa tucked it away to give Valletta the lead. That proved to be the match’s turning point.
With Hibernians unable to pull themselves into the game and at pains to keep their shape, Valletta looked good for their advantage as they continued to control the proceedings. Not surprisingly, Valletta added the third goal ten minutes from time. It came from another deadball situation, when substitute Jimenez played a corner from the left, and keeper Muscat failed to hold out Roderick Briffa’s close range effort, despite Xuereb’s challenge.
Although the final outcome was never in doubt, there was more drama deep into four minutes of added time. Hibernians won a penalty after Barbosa’s jutting hand came into contact with a high ball inside the Valletta area and Clayton Failla stepped up to beat keeper Hogg, although the goal served only for statistical purpose. The Valletta custodian earned his second yellow card for dissent and was sent off with Mady taking his place in goal after Valletta had effected all their three substitutions. But Mady was never tested as the final whistle soon followed to the jubilation of the colourful and noisy Valletta fans.
Hibernians: M. Muscat, J. Pearson (R. Camilleri), A. Xuereb (S. Pisani), R. Soares, C. Failla, B. Kristensen, E. Herrera, A. Cohen, J. Vandelannoite, M. Dias, L. Edison
Valletta: A. Hogg, J. Caruana, S. Mady, I. Azzopardi (R. Bajada), R. Briffa, E. Agius, G. Agius (T. Scerri), O. Zongo (M. Jimenez), D. Dos Santos, W. Barbosa, M. Mifsud
Referee: C. Lautier
Asst.refs: M. Debono, A. Grech
4th official: E. Azzopardi
Scorers: L. Edison 23, G. Agius 39, W. Barbosa 64 pen, R. Briffa 80, C. Failla 90+pen
Yellow cards: R. Bajada, M. Muscat, M. Mifsud, S. Mady, J. Pearson, A. Hogg, W. Barbosa
Red card: A. Hogg
Player of the match: D. Dos Santos (Valletta)
TMI top 3: 1. W. Barbosa 2. J. Vandelannoite 3. R. Briffa
Attendance: 4,513