MOSTA 0
VALLETTA 1
Valletta faced a test of nerves to beat stubborn opponents Mosta with a second half penalty procured and scored by their best man Jhonnattann to register their second consecutive league win of the new season.
Overall Paul Zammit’s side saw more of the ball and generally maipulated it better but Mosta refused to buckle even when under pressure. They played Valletta at their own game – hasslig, pestering and pressing.
For a whole 40 minutes Mosta were down to ten men, yet they take some pride on being obdurate opponents. Valletta also had a player, Pani sent off before the break.
Mosta went into this match having lost their opener against Balzan the previous week but showed positive signs with a whole-hearted performance. Yesterday they introduced two new players – Chinedu Oweregbulam and Njongo Priso. The former stayed only ten minutes on the pitch as he was shown a straight red card following a crude tackle on Jhonnattan.
The sending off suggested Valletta were on for an easy evening. However, menacing as they looked, Valletta’s attacks persistently foundered inside the Mosta box or found keeper Manuel Bartolo, deputisng for Yenz Cini, alert in goal.
Mosta were admirably attempting to avoid defeat. They caught the eye with their sturdiness in defence.
They twice tested the keeper Bartolo. On 23 minutes Briffa, served by Jhonnattan, saw Bartolo repel his shot. Then the goalkeeper denied Malano before Mifsud failed to make contact with the ball, on a Jhonnattan low cross, when alone in front of goal.
Mosta’s resistance remained steadfast with keeper Bartolo again holding out Pani’s shot on 37 minutes.
And three minutes before the break, numerical parity was restored. Valletta had midfielder Claudio Pani also sent off for a high-footed tackle on defender Caruana.
The atmosphere was euphoric going into the interval.
Valletta kept squandering chances in the second half. Romao lofted the ball on a Jhonnattann free kick.
But Mosta also had their chances. Priso followed up Oseghale’s incursion as he tried to go past four palyers and hit the loose ball only for keeper Bonello to block.
On 55 miutes Valletta finally made the breakthrough when awarded a penalty for Magro’s foul on the advancing Jhonnattann. The latter was unerrant with his shot from the spot.
Another Valletta wave of attcking followed, with Malane going close with a rasping low diagonal drive. Mifsud’s bursting runs were giving Onwudinjo and Djouffack some headaches. Still, Valletta could not find a way past the goalkeeper for that assuring goal.
And with Mosta showing lack of quality in the final third, Valletta hung on to that Jhonnattann penalty that secured three points.
Mosta: E. Bartolo, A. Caruana, C. Oweregbulam, D. Djouffack, F. Onwudinjo, K. Magro (D. Xuereb), J. Repa (E. Vella), M. Vleck, N. Priso (E. Vella), V. Oseghale, Z. Brincat (K. Frendo)
Valletta: H. Bonello, J. Caruana, S. Borg, J. Cruz, S. Malano (J. Borg), M. Mifsud (U. Uchenna), R. Briffa, C. Pani, L. Aguirre, Jhonnattan, R. Romao (L. Cremona)
Referee: M. Spiteri
Asst.refs: L. Portelli, M. Borg
4th official: G. Tonna
Scorers: Jhonnattan 55 pen,
Yellow cards: J. Cruz, K. Magro, L. Cremona, S. Borg
Red cards: C. Oweragbulam, C. Pani
Player of the match: Jhonnattann (Valletta)
TMI top 3: 1. Jhonnattann 2. D. Djouffack 3. M. Bartolo
Attendance: 1046
TARXIEN RAINBOWS 0
BIRKIRKARA 4
Superior Birkirkara dismantled Tarxien Rainbows thanks to their slick passing and flowing football, making sure the Stripes keep a perfect start with two consecutive wins.
Yesterday’s man of the match was Vito Plut who scored the opener and provided assists for Frank Temile and Gareth Sciberras but he could not have achieved that without the running and industry of Dimitrov, Sciberras and Andelkovic around him.
Tarxien put a really poor showing and the final scoreline reflects the gulf between the two teams yesterday at the Hibernians Stadium.
Birkirkara made three changes from the previous win against St Andrews. Bubalovic, Djordevic and Scicluna were replaced by Nikola Vukanac, Matthew Guillaumier and Frank Temile. Their latest signing Steve Bonnici was named among the substitutes.
Tarxien were an unchanged side after drawing their opening match against Gzira United. That meant Kurt Zammit was playing against his former club after leaving in the summer.They also had new recruit Julian Galea (ex Melita) starting on the bench and coming in as a second half substitute.
Tarxien did not even get a chance to settle into the game when they fell behind after only three minutes play. Dimitrov’s sailing free kick from the right was headed by Vito Plut beyond the reach of goalkeeper Andrea Cassar.
The goal whetted Birkirkara’s appetite for more. On eight minutes keeper Cassar rushed off his line to block Temile, well set by Dimitrov’s deep cross. And on 19 minutes, Alves tripped Temile on the edge of the Tarxien area. Srdan Dimitrov placed his direct freee kick at the top right hand corner to beat Cassar again.
Although there were no more goals before halftime, the Stripes remained in total control. There was enjoyment watching Gareth Sciberras’ clever low passing, Andelkovic’s ability to play from the back, Jovic’s defensive assurance, Dimitrov’s’s technique and Plut’s invariably incisive industry in attack.
Tarxien threatened in the opening minutes of the second half when Nilsson almost capitalised on some hesitancy in the Birkirkara defence but his shot was held out by the outstretched keeper Kopric.
Soon Birkirkara looked menacing with two meaty free kicks by Dimitrov as Tarxien were conceding too many fouls around their area. Coach Scerri introduced Julian Galea for Caruana short of the hour.
Past the hour Joao Pedro’s cross from the left found Nilsson ummarked inside the Birkirkara area but he shot feebly at the goalkeeper.
The goal came on the opposite end on 63 minutes. Plut advanced down the right with alarming ease and played the ball between two Tarxien defenders for Frank Temile to run in and shoot past the stranded Tarxien keeper.
The goal rush continued as Birkirkara scored their fourth five minutes later, in similar fashion like the one before it. Plut again advanced from the byeline on the right with some neat footwork, and placed the ball in the path of the advancing Gareth Sciberras to slot it in from close range.
Birkirkara reduced their rhythm after that, effected all three substitutions and knocked the ball around with training ground easiness. Sorry Tarxien remained only bystanders.
Tarxien R: A. Cassar, E. Baker, T. Caruana (J. Galea), D. Leon Garcia, A. Nilsson, S. Prendes, D. Zerafa (L. Zahra), A. Alves, J. Pedro Oliveira, K. Zammit, R. Van Horn (A. Azzopardi)
Birkirkara: M. Kopric, G. Sciberras, M. Guillaumier (J. Brincat), M. Andelkovic (R. Muscat), S. Dimitrov (M. Desira Buttigieg), V. Plut, N. Vukanac, F. Temile, J. Zerafa, C. Attard, P. Jovic
Referee: F. Zammit
Asst refs: D. Sultana, D. Castillo
4th official: E. Grech
Scorers: V. Plut 3, S. Dimitrov 19, F. Temile 63, G. Sciberras 68
Yellow cards: A. Alves, C. Attard, N. Vukanac, V. Plut, S. Prendes, J. Pedro Oliveira
Player of the match: V. Plut (Birkirkara)
TMI top 3: 1. V. Plut 2. G. Sciberras 3. S. Dimitrov
PHOTOS ABOVE: Domenic Aquilina
PEMBROKE 1
BALZAN 2
Henry Brincat
Two headed goals by Bojan Kaljevic gave Balzan a narrow 2-1 win against a stubborn Pembroke side yesterday evening.
It was Balzan’s second consecutive win of the season, having beaten Mosta 3-2 in their opening match last week.
The Montenegrin striker headed Balzan ahead after six minutes; then he struck again four minutes from the end of normal time to kill all hopes Pembroke had of salvaging a point after they had defended stubbornly for most of the second half.
Although the victory was richly deserved, it was ironical that the winning goal arrived soon after Pembroke had gone very close to taking the lead themselves in a very rare counter attack.
Pembroke had to do without Siraj Arab and Luke Montebello, both ruled out through suspension following the opening matches last week. Former Floriana goalie Matthew Calleja Cremona was taking the place of veteran Mario Muscat between the posts.
On the other hand, Balzan had every player at their disposal and coach Oliver Spiteri could afford to leave such players as Ryan Fenech, Abdelkarim Nafti and Matteo Piciollo on the substitutes bench at the start.
In the first half, Balzan were the better team and Pembroke were forced on the defensive for long stretches.
Oliver Spiteri’s side dominated the midfield sector as the hard working Paul Fenech and Anderson de Barros never stopped running apart from their good distribution of the ball.
However, after taking an early lead, they failed to capitalise on a couple of occasions that came their way.
For this they paid dearly as in their only attempt at goal, Pembroke equalised¸ albeit through an overhead kick which was deviated the wrong side of goalie Cassar.
In the second half, it was all Balzan as they launched one attack after another, but Pembroke held on gallantly until they finally succumbed to a second Kaljevic header four minutes from the end.
That meant a second consecutive victory for Balzan.
It was Balzan who took an early lead when on the sixth minute, off a Justin Grioli freekick, Bojan Kaljevic headed home past the helpless Calleja Cremona.
Four minutes later, a Paul Fenech shot went just wide.
Pembroke equalised in the 28th minute albeit against the run of play. Regis da Silva’s overhead kick from outside the area appeared to have hit Elkin Serrano Valero, sending goalie Christian Cassar the wrong way and the ball finishing at the back of the net.
In the 34th minute, Calleja Cremona fumbled a ball which went to Effiong, but the latter’s shot was missed by Kaljevic in front of an empty goal.
Before the interval, Balzan went close twice, first through a Kaljevic effort which went over and then through a Grioli freekick which was saved in two attempts by Calleja Cremona.
Balzan were again in command in the early second half stages and a Grioli freekick went over the bar.
Balzan again went very close to scoring in the 62nd minute when Lydon Micallef set substitute Piciollo in the Pembroke area, but the latter’s fine effort just missed the target.
Two minutes later, as Balzan insisted on attack, Piciollo had another effort blocked by the diving Levnaic.
In the 76th minute, Kaljevic had a shot controlled easily by goalie Calleja Cremona.
Four minutes later, Pembroke were somewhat unlucky not to take the lead when in their only real attack in the second half, a Mariano cross went to Regis da Silva whose effort was blocked by Cassar. From the rebound, David Fenech’s goalbound shot was miraculously blocked by Zoran Levnaic.
Balzan deservedly took the lead once again in the 86th minute. It was Kaljevic who became Balzan’s hero when he rose above friend and foe to head the ball into the net, following a Paul Fenech cornerkick.
In added time, Pembroke had another good chance to equalise when from a Clifford Gauci cross, David Fenech hit just wide.
At the end, they had to bow out to a superior outfit.
Pembroke: M. Calleja Cremona, B. Muscat, O. Maksymov (D. Fenech), M. Micallef, Z. Levnaic, P. Barbetti, M. Regis da Silva (A. Scozzese), J. Mariano, M. Attard, A. Borg, C. Gauci.
Balzan: C. Cassar, B. Kaljevic, C. Brincat, S. Bezzina, A. De Barros (R. Fenech), P. Fenech, A. Effiong (M. Piciollo), J. Grioli, L. Micallef, E. Serrano Valero, T. Agius (A. Nafti).
Referee: C. Pisani.
Asst refs: E. Spiteri, C. Francalanza.
4th official: E. Mangion.
Scorers: B. Kaljevic 2, R. Da Silva,
Yellow cards: O. Maksymov, C. Gauci, A. Borg, M. Calleja Cremona, A. De Barros, R. Fenech
Player of the match: P. Fenech
TMI Top 3: 1. P. Fenech, 2. B. Kaljevic, 3. P. Barbetti.
SLIEMA W 0
HIBERNIANS 1
Henry Brincat
A 34th minute strike from a penalty by Clayton Failla was enough for Hibernians to beat Sliema and collect their first points of the new season.
The Paolites showed much better form than when they surprisingly lost 1-3 to Hamrun last week and even if they won by a slender one-goal margin, their victory was well merited.
For Sliema, it was another disappointing result – a second consecutive defeat which keeps them hovering at the bottom with no points from two matches.
It is true that the Wanderers have faced two of the title challengers so far, but they now need a win badly to get some much needed confidence.
The match took quite some time to get going as both defences appeared to be well in command against their opponents’ front lines.
Hibernians enjoyed more possession, but had little to show for all their efforts. As time went by, they started to take a firm control of midfield where Kristensen and Bezzina appeared to be in good form – by the end of the match they were two young maestros.
Sliema found it difficult to move forward as Milos Galin was isolated up front. But near the end of the half, they twice went close to equalising.
However, at the end of the first 45 minutes, the Paolites merited their slender lead.
In the second half, it was Sliema who dictated play as they did everything in search of an equaliser.
However, Hibs remained calm at the back with Andrei Agius and Rodolfo Soares well in command of the central approaches.
The Blues had a few good chances, but they never managed to pierce the Hibs rearguard thus succumbing to their second consecutive defeat.
Hibs had the first pot at goal as Kristensen tested goalie Sarao with a grounder from 30 metres. The goalie saved in two attempts.
Another Hibs attack in the 22nd minute saw Johann Bezzina setting Jackson Lima in the Sliema area, but the latter’s effort just missed the target.
In the 25th minute, the promising Bezzina went past two Sliema defenders only to see his shot going just wide of the target.
Moments later, Dias was through in the Sliema area, but goalie Sarau dived at his feet to block to corner. From Failla’s kick, it was Soares who had a header deviated to another corner.
In the 34th minute, Hibernians were awarded a penalty when Dias advanced through the middle and set Renan Pimenta Tellas who was floored by goalie Sarao. Referee Sant showed no hesitation in pointing to the spotkick while showing a yellow card to the goalie. Clayton Failla sent the goalie the wrong way to open the scoring.
At the other end, from a Muchardi cross, it was Mintoff who tested Hogg seriously, but the Hibs goalie was equal to the task.
In the 44th minute, Kristensen had a low shot deviated by a defender, but goalie Sarao dived to save.
In added time, Sliema almost equalised. A melee ensued in the Hibs area after Hogg mistimed a sortie, but Peter Xuereb hit wide from an ideal position.
Sliema went out on attack at the start of the second half and in the 52nd minute, Alex Muscat had a shot from an angle going wide.
The same Muscat was again in action soon after with a fine rising shot from the edge of the area, but Hogg covered himself with glory as he flew sideways to turn to corner in style.
In the 64th minute, Kristensen had a shot well saved by Sarao. At the other end, Jean Paul Farrugia had a good run from midfield, but his final shot was weak and wide.
On the 75th minute, Degabriele set Jackson Lima whose shot was excellently saved by Sarao.
With 10 minutes to go, it was Bezzina who weaved his way past the Sliema defence only to see hjis grounder saved with some difficulty by Sarao.
Sliema W.: G. Sarao, A. Muscat, G. Muir, S. Bianciardi, C. Psaila, P. Xuereb, M. Muchardi, J. Mintoff (A. Friggieri), G. Aquilina (W. Salomon), M. Galin, JP Farrugia.
Hibernians: A. Hogg, R. Soares, M. Dias, J. Lima (A. Cohen), B. Kristensen, C. Failla, R. Pimenta Telles, J. Bezzina, DM Mangue Mba (J. Mbong), J. Degabriele (JM Varea), A. Agius.
Referee: A. M. Sant
Asst refs: R. Vella, P. Apap
4th official: S. Pace
Scorer: C. Failla pen.
Yellow cards: G. Muir, G. Sarao, DM Mangue Mba, C. Failla, J. Bezzina, P. Xuereb,
Player of the match: J. Bezzina
TMI Top 3: 1. B. Kristensen, 2. J. Bezzina, 3. A. Muscat.
Attendance: 572