Some other ‘decisions’ in connection with the second phase were made the past weekend. With Valletta extending their lead to six points after their win against Balzan and Hibs being held to a draw by Floriana, the citizens are assured of finishing on top at the end of the First Phase thus earning the title of winter champions. In the meantime, on Saturday, Birkirkara assured themselves of a place in the Top Six following their emphatic 3-1 win against Tarxien Rainbows. So did Sliema the following day after beating Qormi 3-1. Now we have to wait till the final round to see who will be the sixth club to play in the Championship Pool.
Henry Brincat takes a look at what happened the past weekend.
Valletta once again disappointed their followers on Friday evening as they produced a slipshod performance to win 2-0 against Balzan Youths.
It had to be a brilliant goal from Roderick Briffa a few minutes from the end that lifted their miserable performance. It was, perhaps, the only ‘beautiful’ moment for the citizens apart, of course, from the opening goal, scored by debutante Aleksandrs Cekulajevs from Latvia.
The citizens failed to live up to expectations but one thing which is positive – and this must be credited to them – is that no matter how bad their performance is, they get the result they want.
Such is the richness of their squad nowadays! On Friday they also established a new record for local football, listing nine foreign players among their 18-member squad for the match.
I expected something better from the much vaunted Cekulajevs. He scored an easy goal – a simple tap in into an untenanted net – after work done by Dennis Rocha dos Santos and Michael Mifsud, but overall he was unimpressive. Yet, he has been here only a few days and he should be given more chance before we make further assessments.
For Balzan, the defeat was a big setback to their hopes of ending among the Top Six. But they also failed to show their usual determination and had to stay in their own area for long stretches, just trying to frustrate the citizens and keeping them at bay.
Hibernians also failed to live up to expectations on Saturday as they dropped two more points in a goalless draw against Floriana.
The result assured Valletta of the top spot at the end of the first phase and the start of the second when they are assured of having at least a one-point lead over the Paolites.
The two teams left much to be desired in this yawn-laden game in which actions in front of goal were few and far between.
One expected something much better from the Paolites, in particular. They are the main challengers for Valletta’s title, but on such form, Valletta need not worry.
Floriana also failed to live up to expectations. They have now won just two points from their last three matches and this goes on to show that their challenge for the title is rapidly diminishing.
They had the better of the few chances created at either end, but they did not take advantage.
Birkirkara assured themselves of a Top Six berth as they opened a gap of four points over Balzan with just one match to go.
After Balzan lost on Friday, the Stripes knew exactly what they needed to secure their Championship Pool place. They had to win and that is what they did in a very convincing manner.
This was an encouraging performance by Paul Zammit’s men after their debacle the previous week against Valletta.
But from now on, with an Europa League place in their sights, they cannot go on playing the Jekyll & Hyde game as they did in these opening two rounds.
For Tarxien Rainbows, it was another setback after having had their morale lifted by winning their match against Marsaxlokk (1-1 - played last weekend) on the table, after winning a protest.
They now hope to gain some more points in their final first phase match against Balzan to remain in touch with the teams starting above them in the Relegation Pool.
Sliema Wanderers joined Valletta, Hibernians, Floriana and Birkirkara into the Championship Pool on Sunday after beating Qormi 3-1.
This match exploded into life in the second half after what seemed to be a lifeless first 45 minutes.
Sliema then took command after scoring two goals, but Qormi were back in contention as they reduced the gap through a goal from a Farrugia penalty. They were also unlucky not to equalize before Sliema sealed the issue with a third goal in a breakaway near the end.
Qormi remain in seventh place, two points behind Balzan Youths, but not all is lost. In fact, everything now hinges on the last round in which Qormi are to face bottom club Marsaxlokk and Balzan Y. face Tarxien Rainbows. Balzan need a victory to assure themselves of their berth in the Top Six. A draw for Balzan and a victory for Qormi means that a decider will have to be played between the two teams to decide the issue.
Mosta returned to winning form after their narrow defeat against Hibernians the previous weekend. They beat Mqabba 3-0 to gain another three points which ensures they start the Second Phase in the top places.
Steve D’Amato’s men were the better team on the day, but only after Mqabba had gone down to 10 men following a penalty award early in the game.
With just 10 men for almost all the first half, Mosta failed to impose their numerical superiority over their opponents who had the better chances.
In the second half, where Mosta were also down to 10 men (after Raimy was sent off near the end of the first half), the Blues took command. Not only did they limit the danger in front of their own goal, but went on to add two further goals for good measure.
Mqabba must have lamented the fact that they were hit badly by the sending off of David Fenech so early in the game, but it is also a fact, that even when parity was restored in the second half, they failed to get past the well-drilled Mosta defence.
In the final match of the past weekend, Hamrun Spartans obtained their best victory as they crushed Marsaxlokk to the tune of 6-2.
The victory has enabled the Spartans to overtake Tarxien Rainbows in the standings, but they have now moved closer to the teams above them.
It was also the first victory for Stefan Sultana since he took over a few days ago.
For Marsaxlokk it was another nail in their coffin. They remain firmly anchored to the bottom with just 11 points and are clear candidates for the Big Drop.
Best player
Shaun Bajada (Birkirkara FC)
Gozo-born Shaun Bajada is my pick this week after his splendid performance in the match against Tarxien.
He was undoubtedly the inspiration behind his side’s crucial win which has landed them among the Top Six in the second phase.
Bajada scored two of his side’s three goals but what was more impressive was the fact that he seemed to have regained his confidence and form after finding it difficult to get back to his best following that long-term injury.
Top scorers
18 - Edison Luis dos Santos (Hibs), Obinna Obiefule (Mosta)
11 - Clayton Failla (Hibernians)
10 - Moises Avila Perez (Birkirkara), Jorge Pereira (Qormi),
9 - Joseph Farrugia (Qormi), Alfred Effiong (Valletta), D. Rocha dos Santos (Valletta),
8 - Danial Mitev (Sliema), Bojan Mamic (Mqabba)
7 - Thiago Mazzitelli (Mqabba), William Barbosa (Valletta), Michael Mifsud (Valletta), Miguel Ciantar (Balzan), Massimo Grima (Hamrun S.)