Mosta-Valletta 0-5
Mosta: O. Borg, T. Farrugia, R. Ekani, M. Brincat, I. Grech (K. Zammit 55’), R. Grech, M. Micallef, C. Martins (A. Carrozza 53’), I. Zammit, B. Kaljevic (D. Perieira 58’), G. Piccioni
Valletta: N. Revishvili, I. Azzopardi, S. Borg, R. Fenech, R. Briffa, L. Montebello (L. Cremona 66’), A. da Silva Souza (A. Owonikoko 66’), D. Rocha dos Santos (J.P. Mifsud Triganza 81’), I. Maisuradze, A.Nafti
Scorers: D. Rocha dos Santos 12’,29’, R. Fenech 44’, L. Montebello 53’, A. Owonikoko 78’ (V)
Yellow Cards: M. Brincat 33’, B. Kaljevic 37’, I. Zammit 45’, R. Grech 70’ (M), I. Azzopardi 35’ (V)
Referee: Fyodor Zammit
Assistant Referees: Ingmar Spiteri, Luke Portelli
4th Official: Chris Lautier
BOV Player of the Match: Alan da Silva Souza (Valletta)
Attendence: 1,318
Valletta extended their unbeaten streak to 14 matches when they defeated Mosta for the third time this season.
This third consecutive win for the Citizens meant momentarily first place with Birkirkara facing Sliema today.
On the other hand, Mosta suffered their second consecutive defeat with a big score against the top two. Although they failed to claim at least a point in their last two outings, Mosta are still in the hunt for a place in the UEFA Europa League.
The Citizens deserved the maximum points as they were the better team while Mosta, for the second consecutive game, failed to show good football.
Valletta coach Andre Paus had to play without the suspended Jonathan Caruana and Luke Dimech and opted to start with the usual playing system of 4-2-3-1 with Ian Azzopardi and Steve Borg in the heart of the defence while Roderick Briffa shifted to right back: Shaun Bajada confirmed his place on the left side. Captain Ryan Fenech returned to the starting line-up alongside hard working midfielder Maisuradze. Returning also for Valletta was their top scorer Denni Rocha dos Santos who rotated with Nafti and Alan da Silva Souza behind Luke Montebello who started for the third consecutive game.
On the other hand, Piccioni made three changes with Omar Borg returning to defend the posts instead of Kurt Rizzo while Christian Martins and Bojan Kaljevic were preferred to Antonio Carrozza and Kurt Zammit.
From the tactical side Mano Micallef was shifted into midfield while the back four was made by Ekani, Farrugia, Brincat and Ishmael Grech.
The first action of note came on the 7th minute when a central shot by Alan da Silva Souza finished over the bar. The Citizens took the lead on the 12th minute when da Silva Souza’s low crossed was partially blocked by Omar Borg and from the rebound Denni Rocha dos Santos buried the ball in the net. Mosta’s reaction came a minute as Revishvili blocked a shot by Kaljevic. Two minutes later Kaljevic crossed to Piccioni but the Italian’s header finished over the bar.
Valletta doubled on the 29th minute when Nafti opened the defence with a good pass to Denni Rocha dos Santos who slotted past Borg with a low shot.
Mosta almost reduced the gap on the 36th minute when from a free-kick by Martins, the header by Mano Micallef finished centimetres wide.
Four minutes later Roderick Briffa crossed in the box, but the header of Nafti finished over the bar.
Mosta tried to pull one back on the 42nd minute with a shot from a distance by Martins but the shot finished off target.
One minute from half time Valletta scored a third when Ryan Fenech stole a ball from midfield, advanced and chipped past Borg.