This was supposed to be a tricky opener for defending champions Valletta and the final scoreline may suggest that it was a close match. But, after fighting gamely for almost the entire first half, Tarxien Rainbows were completely dominated in the second, lost all their initial gloss and trailed their opponents 3-1 until five minutes from the end when they temporarily reduced the deficit, only for Valletta to retaliate with a fourth goal in added time.

Alfred Effiong scored a brace for Valletta, the other coming from Brazilian William Barbosa on Effiong’s assist and Denni Dos Santos completed the rout.

The first half was high on energy, played at a very fast pace and the players paid for all their efforts after the restart as the game fell to almost mediocre levels.

Valletta had Gilbert Agius missing although Jamie Pace made his return in front of the defence, after a three-match ban. Their forward line was also devoid of the injured Michael Mifsud as Alfred Effiong started the match alongside William Barbosa.

Tarxien fielded three new local faces – Carl Sammut, Stefan Giglio and Adrian Carabott – together with one of three new Brazilians, Rodrigo Galvao, who partnered Costa up front.

The other two new Brazilians, Roberto Saraiva and Caio Garcia Suguino, went in as second half substitutes.

Although Valletta made the more assertive start, going close through Dennis Dos Santos and a Barbosa testing shot, Tarxien showed no signs of buckling under pressure.

On 13 minutes, Costa chested Grioli’s long ball inside the Valletta area, but shot over.

But Valletta forged ahead on the quarter hour. Azzopardi’s low cross from the left was not controlled by Denni, but the ball rolled to Alfred Effiong who beat keeper Cassar from close range.

Tarxien’s response came three minutes later when Daniel Bueno rifled a shot from the edge of the area at the top left hand corner to level matters.

Tarxien kept up the initiative and on 23 minutes Carabott ran inside the Valletta area but was foiled by keeper Hogg before Galvao’s final shot was blocked.

Past the half hour, Pace’s squeezed shot became dangerous for keeper Cassar who managed to turn the ball into a corner.

With Valletta closing down, Tarxien were forced to shoot from a distance.

The champions remained potent going forward. They went close though Denni and Barbosa before regaining the lead on 41 minutes. Azzopardi played a through ball to unmark Alfred Effiong who scored with a low strike.

And before the half was over, superior Valletta could have added another one when Ryan Fenech was through on Barbosa’s pass but skied the ball in front of goal.

The rhythm fell drastically in the second half as Valletta kept possession and allowed Tarxien little space.

Valletta’s third goal on 71 minutes came as no surprise when William Barbosa headed in with perfect elevation Effiong’s long cross.

Valletta looked cruising towards a comfortable win, until Tarxien reduced the arrears five minutes from time with an Everton Pereira grounder which caught keeper Hogg by surprise.

But in added time, Valletta scored their fourth goal with a fast break. Denni Dos Santos foraged down the left, beat the onrushing keeper as defender Caruana failed to clear the ball as it crossed the goal line.

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

Coach: J. Zerafa

Tarxien R: D. Cassar, C. Sammut, L. Galea, J. Grioli, A. Pereira, S. Giglio (M. Caruana), R. Costa (C. Garcia Siguino), R. Galvao (R. Saraiva), O. Anonam, D. Carabott, D. Bueno

Coach: N. Coleiro

Referee: G. Tonna

Asst.refs: I. Spiteri, M. Scerri

4th official: A.M. Sant

Scorers: A. Effiong 15, 41 D. Bueno 18, W. Barbosa 71, E. Pereira 85 D. Dos Santos 90+

Yellow cards: D. Bueno, R. Saraiva, J. Grioli, W. Barbosa, C. Siguino, A. Carabott, D. Dos Santos

Player of the match: Alfred Effiong (Valletta)

TMI top 3: 1. A. Effiong 2. I. Azzopardi 3. O. Anonam

Attendance: 2,130