Tarxien-Valletta 0-3
Tarxien: N. Vella, F. Lopez Alcantara, A. Agius (M. Caruana 79’), L. Martinelli, M. Potezica, R. Caiheira Seara, M. Ciantar (A. Curmi 66’), E. Souza Santos (K. Pulo 46’), R. Sammut, J. Mifsud, J. Santos Silva
Valletta: Y. Cini, J. Caruana, R. Fenech (L. Cremona 86’), E. Agius, R. Briffa, A. Corr Nyang, S. Bajada, D. Rocha dos Santos, J. Vandelannoite (S. Borg 73’), A. Nafti (J.P. Mifsud Triganza 60’), L. Dimech
Scorers: Denni Rocha dos Santos 43min, 66min (V), Aziz Corr Nyang 89min (V)
Yellow Cards: Marko Potezica 20min (T)
Red Card: Nicholas Vella 66min (T)
Referee: Kevin Azzopardi
Assistant Referee: Duncan Sultana, Jurgen Spiteri
BOV Man of the Match: Denni Rocha dos Santos (V)
Attendance: 766
Valletta continued their winning streak when they defeated Tarxien Rainbows 3-0. The Citizens deserved the maximum points as they had the game in their control with their opponents having occasional opportunities to which Yenz Cini was ready to save whatever came to his post. Foreigners Denni Rocha dos Santos and Aziz Corr Nyang were dangerous throughout the match with Nyang making his dirty work from the right flank while dos Santos was roaming in midfield.
Tarxien after coming from last week’s defeat against Birkirkara failed to be dangerous and didn’t cope with Valletta’s dangerous attack. They still lie fourth place from bottom with eight points. They had Steve Sadowski missing while Fernando Lopes Alcantara who returned from suspension took his place.
Valletta had Hamza Barry missing with Jason Vandelannoite taking his place after missing the last match. Also Steve Borg made his return after practically missing one year of action.
Valletta had their first attempt on goal on the 18th minute when a central shot by Jason Vandelannoite was saved by Vella. Three minutes later Aziz Corr Nyang crossed from the right side to Rocha dos Santos who headed back to Ryan Fenech, with the city captain firing a shot that finished inches over the bar.
Valletta were denied the advantage on the 36th minute when Luke Dimech crossed in the penalty area with Rocha dos Santos attempting a shot that was saved by Vella and from the rebound Corr Nyang was also denied by Vella who saved again and put the ball into a corner. Three minutes later from a corner by Ryan Fenech, Jason Vandelannoite headed to Denni Rocha dos Santos but his header was denied by the crossbar. Valletta took the lead on the 43rd minute when Rodreick Briffa gave a lovely through-ball to Denni Rocha dos Santos who avoided a tackle by Josef Mifsud before concluding past Vella with a low shot.
Tarxien opened the second half on the attack and on the 46th minute Pulo passed to Santos Silva but Cini saved his shot. Valletta responded four minutes later with a good action when Nafti crossed with the outside to Aziz Corr Nyang but his first time shot finished over the bar.Tarxien had a goal disallowed two minutes later when Cini saved Tarxien could have equalised on the 57th minute when Santos Silva crossed to the unmarked Karl Pulo but from an ideal position fired off target.
On the 66th minute Valletta were awarded a penalty in a strange matter when Nyang gave to Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza who came face to face with Vella who fouled him and the ball finished to Denni’s foot who scored but referee Kevin Azzopardi gave the penalty and gave marching orders to Vella. From the penalty spot Denni Rocha dos Santos made no mistake after beating substitute Curmi.
With a numerical advantage, Valletta continued attacking and on the 77th minute Curmi had to distinguish himself with a fine save after a shot by Edmond Agius. The same midfielder had another attempt four minutes later but this time his shot was off target. Tarxien could have reduced the margin on the 86th minute but Cini made a good save on Santos Silva’s shot. Valletta closed the match with a third goal when Aziz Corr Nyang made a good run down the right and with a personal action fired past Curmi. Valletta could have netted a poker but the post denied Denni Rocha dos Santos from his hattrick.