Valletta-Hibernians 1-2

Valletta:

Hibernians: H. Bonello, R. Soares, R. Gomes, M. Dias (K. Tanti), A. Cohen, B. Kristensen, J. Bezzina (J. Lima), C. Failla, A. Agius, L. Edison, Jorginho (J. Degabriele)

Valletta: N. Vella, I. Azzopardi, S. Borg, R. Camilleri, R. Fenech (A. Terra), H. Faria (L. Cremona), R. Briffa, L. Alliyu, S. Bajada, A. Nafti (R. Kooh Sohna), L. Dimech

Referee:  C. Lautier

Asst.refs:  A. Camilleri, P. Abela

Additional refs: A. Arciola, P. Farrugia

4th official: F. Zammit

Scorers: Jorginho 6, L. Edison 36, R. Kooh Sohna 90+

Yellow cards: L. Dimech,L. Edison, I. Azzopardi

Player of the match:  Jorginho (Hibernians)

TMI top 3: 1. A. Cohen  2. Jorginho  3. L. Dimech

Attendance: 2088

 

 

 

With Birkirkara and Mosta both dropping points on Saturday, Hibernians grabbed the opportunity to stay solely in command of the BoV Premier League with their fourth win on the trot – this time against the champions Valletta – and maintain their perfect start.

Two goals by Jorginho and Luis Edison in the first half were the defining moments of Hibernians’ victory.

They showed solidity at the back, giving a debut start to new signing Andrei Agius, playing as centre back with the returning from suspension, Rodolfo Soares. Rui Gomes played alongside them in a flat-three defence, with Clayton Failla and Marcelo Dias the wide backs, covering when Hibernians lost possession.

There was little trace of spirit or cohesion from Valletta, who were being outfought and outplayed by a team that appears to have found form and vigour at this very early stage of the season.

It is still premature to pass judgement, but the significant player turnover and the appointment of a new coach, has not helped the champions to maintain the same level of last season.

Valletta had Roderick Briffa back in the team after recovery, deployed in midfield, alongside Shaun Bajada and Ryan Fenech, with Hugo Faria occupying a more defensive role in front of the back four. Lateef Alliyu was preferred in attack, with Kooh Sohna and new Brazilian Alex Terra going in as substitutes on the hour. A notable absentee for Valletta yesterday was their central defender Jonathan Caruana.

The leaders could not have dreamt of a better start, making the breakthrough after only six minutes. Jorginhgo controlled Cohen’s pass with his back towards the Valletta goal, and turned well past Dimech to score with a low shot past the outstretched keeper Vella.

The champions were facing an uphill task, especially because Hibenians held a grip on the game with their high pressing. Valletta made a flacid reaction with an Azzopardi headed effort missing the target on a Bajada corner.

But the Paolites remained the more menacing. On 23 minutes an Agius shot was turned into a corner by keeper Vella.

They increased their lead on 36 minutes, with Cohen again the provider of a through ball for Luis Edison to advance and beat the keeper with a low strike.

Two goals to the good, Hibernians looked comfortale enough to control the proceedings without exerting themesleves too much. Valletta were allowed a glimpse at goal but Dimech headed Naftri’s free kick wide.

Before the break, a long range drive by Jorghino was held out superbly by keeper Vella.

Despite all the expectations, Valletta failed to put a decent reaction in the second half, remaining utterly disjointed, devoid of ideas and without the required incisive movement to break down the compact Hibernians’ defence.

It was really difficult to spot redeeming qualitites in Valletta’s play. Not even the coach’s double substitution on the hour, putting in Kooh Sohna and Terra in attack, made the desired impact and Hibernians almost added another goal on 67 minutes. Substitute Lima’s cross fell to the unmarked Jorginho whose goalbound effort from inside the area was deflected into a corner.

It was only late in the game that Valletta showed some signs of life to really trouble the Hibernians rearguard. Three minutes from normal time Lateef advanced through the middle on a Briffa pass but was unlucky to shoot against the foot of the post. There was some scant consolation for Valletta though, deep into three minutes of added time, with a goal from substitute Raphael Kooh Sohna, who reached before the onrushing keeper Bonello and slotted the ball low from inside the area on the right.

But that was too little too late.