Valletta and Floriana renewed their rivalries, playing for the Super Cup, in the new season’s curtain raiser at the National Stadium yesterday.

It is still too early in the season, but considering that Floriana were Valletta’s main challengers last season and denied Valletta the double by beating them in the FA Trophy final, the Citizens’ superiority yesterday confirmed the gap between the two sides and indicates that the reigning champions will have few challengers, if any, this time round.

Inspired by their wing play, where Ryan Fenech and William Barbosa thrived on the flanks, Valletta carried too much ammunition, for predator Michael Mifsud to score all three of his side’s goals on the night. He was also twice denied by the woodwork.

Floriana were only a pale shadow of last season’s side. They presented the same familiar faces, with newcomer John Mintoff making his debut for his new club, but were far off the pace against superior opponents. Floriana seemed destined to their fate early, as even their supporters turned out in far less numbers than Valletta’s.

Valletta’s line-up did not offer many surprises either. With Jamie Pace suspended, Gilbert Agius started as the holding midfielder, flanked by Ryan Fenech, Roderick Briffa and Denni Dos Santos. Barbosa and Michael Mifsud partnered each other in attack as Zongo and Effiong started on the bench. The latter was called to replace the injured Dos Santos midway through the first half.

By then, Valletta could have already opened the score where it not for some providential defending from Floriana, and a huge slice of good luck.

Valletta’s explosive start nearly put them ahead during the first minute of the match. Fenech’s cross from the left caused havoc inside the Greens’ area. Barbosa’s shot was blocked by goalkeeper Bartolo, who played in goal as Floriana’s new Ghana custodian William Amamoo was nowhere to be seen.

Then, Mifsud advanced from the left and drilled his shot against the upright.

Valletta kept the initiative although the early flurry abated after those close shaves.

Towards the quarter hour Fenech put Dennis clear, but the Barzilian was blocked by the onrushing Bartolo and as Barbosa picked the loose ball, the Floriana defenders blocked his goalbound effort.

Floriama, who were made to chase shadows, showed up for the first time inside the Valletta area with a Caruana shot, blocked by keeper Hogg, past the half hour.

On 34 minutes, Mifsud advanced on the right but his low diagonal shot went tantalisingly wide.

Valletta’s goal was inevitable and it came two minutes later with Michael Mifsud hitting the target, shooting past the helpless keeper Bartolo, as he beat the Floriana offside trap on Gilbert Agius’ penetrating pass through the middle.

Floriana’s response five minutes before the break, almost brought them an equaliser. From a Doffo corner from the right, Farrugia’s firm header rebounded off the grounded Hogg who palmed the ball out before crossing the line.

The pattern did not change much in the second half, as Valletta remained the better side, carving several chances but failing time and again to finish off their opponents. Fenech’s shot went narrowly wide and from another of his crosses, Mifsud headed off target.

On 55 minutes, the woodwork again came to Floriana’s rescue. Effiog played the ball square to Mifsud who shot against the underside of the bar.

Floriana, who remained mostly disjointed, relied on free kicks when fouled by the Valletta defenders outside the area.

Woods shot one such free kick straight on the keeper past the hour. And when Valletta scored their second goal on 67 minutes, the Greens knew that their time was up.

Michael Mifsud procured the penalty, when felled by Doffo just inside the Floriana area which he himself converted, with a retake, after his feint in the first instance was judged to have deceived the keeper.

The game cam to life in the last ten minutes though.

Mifsud and Woods went close with headed efforts and keeper Hogg twice denied Floriana a consolation goal, turning into corners, shots by substitute Joseph Borg and Christian Cassar.

But Valletta, with Michael Mifsud in mercurial form, hit their third on 81 minutes. He darted past Bugeja from midfield, on Briffa’s pass, and beat keeper Bartolo with a clinical finish.

Bartolo saved Floriana from further derision in the final minutes holding out two efforts by Valletta’s substitute Falzon and Woods even clipped the bar for Floriana, but there was no arguing about superior Valletta lifting the Super Cup for the third consecutive year at the end.

Valletta A. Hogg, J. Caruana, E. Agius, R. Briffa, I. Azzopardi, G. Agius, S. Borg, D. Dos Santos (A. Effiong), R. Fenech (D. Falzon), W. Barbosa, M. Mifsud (O. Zongo)

Floriana M. Bartolo, D.Pisani, M. Micallef, T. Farrugia, O. Bugeja, P. Doffo, C. Cassar, C. Caruana (J.Borg), J. Mintoff (C.Borg), T. Paris (R. Darmanin), I. Woods

Referee C. Lautier

Asst.refs I. Spiteri, T. Debono

4th official A. Arciola

Scorer M. Mifsud 36, 67 pen, 81

Yellow cards E. Agius, P. Doffo, J. Borg, D. Falzon

Attendance 3,398