RABAT AJAX 0
VALLETTA 3
Rabat: J. Azzopardi, I. Carapic, J. Caruana, J. Negrin, M. Fuster (W. Borg), D. Falzon, P. Borg, C. Brincat, D. Pendas, D. Azzopardi (Y. Cauchi), C. Gauci (K. Muscat)
Valletta: M. Bartolo, R. Briffa, J. Caruana, L. Dimech, D. Falzon, E. Agius, R. Fenech, J. Ogonuppe (M. Mifsud), A. Bello-Osagiue (W. Barbosa), D. Toure’ (D. Dos Santos), J. Gabriel (D. Dos Santos)
Referee: A.M. Sant
Valletta lacked a clinical edge on opponents in the opposite end of the table in the Premier League, twice held to a draw by Rabat Ajax this season. But their slick build-up work and finishing yesterday brought reassurance and a safe passage in the semi-final of the U*BET FA Trophy for the League leaders.
Rabat tried to defend grimly but Valletta’s class stretched them before breaking them towards the half hour and then scored twice more in the second half. The scoreline was too respectable for Rabat as Valletta came to call the tune and they created more than a fistful of clear chances that could have given them a cricket score had they not been too profligate in front of goal.
Valletta rested Ian Azzopardi as Michael Mifsud, Denni Dos Santos and William Barbosa only played as second half substitutes. The citizens included all three forwards Joseph Ogunuppe, Bello-Osagie and Demba Toure’ together from the start.
Rabat, who had Justin Felice added to their long list of casualties during the week, had no option but to defend in numbers, leaving eight and nine players behind the ball as the champions laid siege on their fort.
Jonathan Azzopardi, who was preferred in the Rabat goal to regular Sean Mintoff yesterday, was always the busier keeper as the Rabat defence went through some embarassing moments with Valletta raking in deep crosses from both flanks.
Valletta missed early chances with Ogonuppe and Gabriel efforts going wide. Past the quarter hour, Ogonuppe’s shot was turned into a corner by goalkeeper and Toure’ should have done better with his free header on Bello-Osagie’s cross, as he concluded over.
Valletta’s goal was inevitable though and it came on 28 minutes. Bello-Osagie’s low cross from the byeline was cleared short by Falzon in the direction of Fenech, whose shot was deflected by Joseph Ogonuppe past keeper Azzopardi.
Valletta carved out three good opportunities before halftime, although they failed to increase their lead.On Ogonuppe’s cross, Toure’s effort was cleared into a corner by Brincat and then Bello-Osagie headed wide another Ogonuppe sailing cross from the left. Ogonuppe also clipped the bar with his cross shot before Bello-Osagie foraged down the right flank and crossed but Gabriel hit horrendously from a promising position.
Rabat’s only clear chance came late in the half to Negrin who contrived to miss the target on Fuster’s pass.
Valletta made the game safe five minutes into the second half as they doubled their lead, courtesy of Bello-Osagie’s build-up and execution of the highest order. He went past two opponents, played a deft one-two with Gabriel and finished his move with a low drive, leaving the Rabat keeper grounded.
Valletta kept up the pressure. Ogonuppe headed Fenech’s cross wide and Caruana’s headed effort on a Fenech free kick went over. Keeper Azzopardi turned Fenech’s low free kick into a corner. On the other end, Valletta keeper Bartolo rushed out to reach for Fuster’s free kick before Negrin could connect.
Rabat could have pulled one back on 72 minutes. Negrin advanced through the middle, played the ball wide to Pendas who missed the target from close range.
The Magpies were made to pay for that miss when three minutes later Valletta scored their third goal. Substitute William Barbosa beat the keeper for power and precision with his direct free kick from the edge of the area on the left as Valletta’s afternoon was complete.