Valletta-Hibernians 2-2

This match, between two teams vying for a Euro competition berth, which promised so much, ended in a fiasco.

After a good first half, the second was littered with moments of high farce and ineptitude, reaching its climax in added time when, with both sides tied on 2-2 and with Hibernians reduced to ten men, Xuereb was involved in a hard collision with the Valletta keeper, which earned him a second booking and automatic expulsion. However, Sullivan’s retaliation went unnoticed and only later was the Valletta keeper cautioned. Following that, both sets of players were involved in scuffles and the Hiberenians keeper Muscat also received his marching orders for spitting at an opponent.

Pandemonium reigned supreme, on and off the pitch and the match’s end was prolonged by 12 minutes.

Referee Sammut’s control left much to be desired yesterday, as he was often caught far too distant from the action, rarely sharp in his decisions.

In the final analysis, Hibernians can count themselves unlucky not to have won this match, after dominating for long spells. They were twice denied by two penalties, enabling Valletta to avoid defeat after playing second fiddle for long stretches.

To their long injury list, Hibernians were also without their suspended defender Pulis, as Spiteri filled in the starting role. For Hibernians this was the chance to break the Valletta jinx after failing to beat them so far this season.

Valletta, albeit in full strength, handed the early initiative to their opponents. After only three minutes play, Valletta keeper Sullivan missed the ball on Williamson’s cross from the right. Baldacchino’s first timer was off target.

Hibernians, playing the more incisive and flowing football, started to take gradual control of the match. Past the quarter hour Doda galloped on the left, passed the ball to Cohen, whose angled shot was blocked by the grounded Sullivan.

Midway through the half the Paolites created their best scoring opportunity. Cohen played a long ball forward to Doda, whose pacey run took him past Dean but Sullivan managed to deflect his shot into a corner.

But suddenly, on 26 minutes, Valletta were awarded a penalty when Mattocks was floored by Baldachhino inside the Hibernians area on what looked like a 50-50 tackle. Sebastian Monesterolo made no mistake with his spot kick.

The goal sapped away the wind from Hibernians’ sails momentarily and within two minutes Valletta nearly delivered a second blow when Mattocks’ diagonal grounder beat keeper Muscat but rebounded off the foot of the post.

But after Hibernians shrugged away the setback, they bounced back and deservingly drew level on 36 minutes. On Williamson’s cross, the ball fell to Edmond Agius inside the Valletta area, beating Sullivan with a delicate chip.

Hibernians continued to show their superiority after the restart. Valletta were conceding too many free-kicks outside their penalty area. None proved fruitful until 57 minutes when Haruna Doda thundered an unstoppable direct free-kick past the helpless Sullivan and give his side the lead.

Play degenerated after that as both sides started to show rough edges as referee Sammut looked inept in his decisions. On 76 minutes he sent off Hibernians’ defender Spiteri, brandishing a yellow card and then a red in quick succession.

Valletta tried to exploit their numerical superiority in the last quarter hour with efforts from Forace and Zammit.

On 83 minutes they were awarded a second penalty for Mintoff’s foul on Agius as the latter was about to shoot at goal. Sebastian Monesterolo again tucked away Valletta’s second penalty to earn his side a point that looked beyond them.

But the final minutes proved the more chaotic with both sets of players involved in scuffles and Hibernians having both Xuereb and Muscat sent off, leaving them with only eight men on the pitch.

Valletta: S. Sullivan, K. Cassar (K. Magro), B. Nisevic, C. Dean, R. Forace, D. Zarb (C. Camilleri), K. Fenech (A. Debono), C. Mattocks, I. Zammit, G. Agius, S. Monesterolo

Hibernians: M. Muscat, A. Xuereb, R. Mintoff, K. Spiteri, D. Williamson, E. Mbong, A. Cohen, R. Baldacchino (C. Failla), E. Agius, D. Camilleri, H. Doda (A. Camilleri)

Referee: L. Sammut Asst. refs: I. Spiteri, A. Camilleri 4th official: A.M. Sant

Scorers: S.Monesterolo (2 pens), E. Agius, H. Doda

Yellow cards: I. Zammit, A. Xuereb, K. Spiteri, B. Nisevic, M. Muscat, S. Sullivan

Red cards: K. Spiteri, A. Xuereb, M. Muscat

Player of the match: Andrew Cohen (Hibernians)

TMI top three: A. Cohen 2. H. Doda 3. E. Agius