Valletta remain firmly in command with easy win
League leaders Valletta remained firmly in command following an easy victory against a lacklustre Hibernians side which seems unable to get rid of the crisis that has hit them. Tarxien Rainbows are certainly the team of the moment. They registered another win – their seventh consecutive positive result which has seen them moving up the table – now alone in second place. Champions Birkirkara also won against Floriana and are now occupying third place.
Henry Brincat reviews the situation at the end of the 11th round.
Runaway leaders Valletta maintained their impressive positive run as they easily kept their unbeaten record intact with a comfortable 2-0 win against Hibernians.
The citizens, as has been written and said on many an occasion, seem to be unbeatable this season and I wonder who will be able to stop them.
As I had occasion to write earlier this season, the league is slowly but surely turning into a battle for five places in the Top Six – Valletta seem to be already assured of the other place – and another battle looming in the Second Phase with regards to the second and third places.
Valletta were a superior side to the Paolites on Monday. When they scored the opener through Denni Dos Santos, there seemed to be no way for the poor Hibernians side to hit back and give the leaders a decent challenge.
Valletta then went on to add another goal in the second half to assure themselves of the three points.
What has happened to the Paolites this season? Lethargy seems to be prevailing among their ranks. On Monday, they seemed as if they were not bothered about providing some resistance to a superior City side.
After 11 matches, they have collected just eight points – a very poor record indeed. It is a serious crisis which Mark Miller and his boys seem unable to overcome. At present, they seem destined to play in the Relegation Pool when the Second Phase arrives, even if there are still seven matches to go.
Tarxien Rainbows are certainly the team of the moment in the Premier League. Noel Coleiro’s side have now moved alone in second place after collecting a full 17 points from their last seven matches – five wins and two draws. Their last defeat – 5-2 against Valletta – dates back to 23 October.
This is certainly better than last season and the Rainbows are set for another Top Six berth to emulate one of their feats of the previous season.
There is no doubt that the side’s Brazilians are proving to be their biggest assets. This time it was Daniel Mariano Bueno who gave them a more than perfect start against the Spartans scoring two quick goals in the opening two minutes.
The Spartans can consider Friday’s defeat as a setback. Although they are still well in line to challenge for a place among the Top Six, it is obvious that Dame Luck is not smiling for them as they fought back gallantly after being shocked with those two early goals.
It was only the post that denied them of what would have been a deserved equaliser before Tarxien scored their third goal through Ricardo Costa in added time.
Champions Birkirkara did well to beat Floriana by a solitary Patrick Borg goal, thus moving into third position, three points behind the Rainbows.
But it was another disappointing performance by Paul Zammit’s outfit – far away from last season’s outstanding form which led them to their title victory.
The side has been hampered by a large number of injuries and suspensions this season and on Monday, Zammit again had to do without the services of some key players – Vukanac, Harding, Cilia and Zerafa - injured or suspended.
It is a jinx which has hit the side badly since the start of the season. At present, 10 points behind the citizens, it seems as if their hopes to retain the title are already over.
Floriana must have considered themselves unlucky to have left Ta’ Qali defeated. They did not deserve to lose in a yawn-laden game which saw both teams sharing proceedings for most of the time without being dangerous in front of goal.
Despite the defeat, Floriana remain in a comfortable mid-table placing.
Qormi and Vittoriosa produced the most entertaining match of the weekend – a 2-2 draw.
Qormi had to play the last 30 minutes with 10 men after the dismissal of Kang Hojung.
The Stars had more of the play during the first half during which they were the better side. Yet, in the second half, Qormi came back strongly and even reversed the result in their favour – from 0-1 to 2-1 - before the Stars scored an equaliser with 15 minutes to go.
Vittoriosa even contrived to miss some chances near the end which could have given them all the three points.
Qormi must have been satisfied with the point obtained in the circumstances. Having to play a full 30 minutes with one man less was not an easy task.
Stephen Azzopardi’s team had a quiet first half, but seemed to be in command after a strong start to the second half.
Their downfall was probably the dismissal of Hojung as Vittoriosa then could regain the initiative and went on to score their equaliser.
In the other match this weekend, Sliema and Marsaxlokk did nothing to improve their cause at the bottom end of the table. They shared the spoils in a very disappointing 1-1 draw.
The Wanderers remain third from bottom but there seems to be no one capable of lifting the side to better levels at this particular moment.
Coach Mark Marlow is finding it difficult to find a winning combination and against Marsaxlokk, at least, they fought back to equalise early in the second half, after having gone in arrears in the first half.
Marsaxlokk are also finding the going tough at the moment. At least, there was something positive for Patrick Curmi and his boys – they registered a positive result after two consecutive defeats.
Best player
Edison dos Santos
(Vittoriosa Stars)
Even the minnows can provide a healthy surprise on some occasions.
For the past weekend, my pick falls on Edison dos Santos, a Brazilian striker on the books of bottom club Vittoriosa Stars.
Although not playing against one of the top clubs, he has already confirmed his potential in previous matches, but against Qormi on Sunday, he excelled and played his best match so far. He was a continuous menace to the Qormi defence whenever he had the ball in his possession.
His contribution to the side was crowned with an excellent headed goal which earned a precious point for his club.
Top scorers
8 goals Terence Scerri (Valletta)
7 goals Alfred Effiong (Marsaxlokk),
5 goals Gaetan Spiteri (Hamrun S.)
4 goals Paul McManus (Hibernians), Marcelo Pereira (Hamrun S.), Kevin Sammut (Valletta), E. Lattes (Birkirkara), D. Rocha dos Santos (Valletta), S. Pacheco (Tarxien R)
3 goals George Mallia (Qormi), Obinna Obiefule (Sliema), R. Costa (Tarxien R.), Andrew Cohen, DM Bueno, C. dos Santos Rodrigues (Tarxien R.), Dene Shields (Hamrun S.), Michael Galea, T. Vella (both B’Kara), A. Ewurum (Vittoriosa), ,
Next matches
Friday 17 December
(at Victor Tedesco Stadium)
7.30pm Hamrun S.-Sliema W.
Saturday 18 December
(at Ta’ Qali Stadium)
2pm Qormi-Valletta
4pm Birkirkara-Hibernians
Sunday 19 December
(at Hibernians Stadium)
2pm Vittoriosa S.-Tarxien R.
4pm Marsaxlokk-Floriana