Ħamrun Spartans emerged as Opening Round winners of the YoHealth Malta Premier League, finishing top of the table after a strong first phase of the season. Their decisive 1-0 win over Sliema Wanderers in the final round secured first place, edging Floriana by a single point and confirming Ħamrun as the most consistent side of the Opening Round.
The decisive goal was scored by debutant Damir Ceter in the 29th minute. With that result - and Floriana held to a draw by Valletta - Ħamrun finished top of the standings for the first phase of the season. This is a sharp contrast to what happened in the same time last season when the Spartans failed to finish in the top two places but had a strong closing round.
The Opening Round marked the completion of teams' first phase of fixtures. Now the league splits into a Closing Round where teams reset and begin another round of fixtures, a photo copy of what happened in the Opening Round.
On the other hand Floriana FC finished the Opening Round of the YoHealth Malta Premier League in second place, narrowly missing out on top spot by just one point. A draw in their final match meant Floriana ended the first phase as Ħamrun Spartans' closest challengers, setting themselves up as strong contenders going into the Closing Round.
But it was a huge disappointment for the Greens who prior to the penultimate matchday were four points clear at the top. Their opponents last Saturday, neighbours Valletta will be a team to watch in the Closing Round following a positive run which put them in third place. Last Saturday they were tactically disciplined and managed to grab a draw against Floriana as Valletta showed consistency and defensive solidity heading into the Closing Round.
But if Hamrun, Floriana and Valletta had a good first half of the season, not the same can be said of teams like Birkirkara, Hibernians and Gżira Utd. with the latter two finishing in the Bottom Six.
Although they faced a challenging first phase with mixed results, Birkirkara remain well positioned to compete strongly in the next stage of the season. They are now on a negative run of six consecutive defeats and incidentally start the Closing Round with a direct encounter against Hibernians. Until few years ago this match was considered a classic with both teams challenging for honours. Now they are practically on the wrong side of the table.
Naxxar Lions and Tarxien Rainbows are the teams that finished in the Relegation places. So now they have to be on the alert and improve their performance and get the points. Otherwise come May it will be Challenge League football.
So now that we know the fixtures of the Closing Round we are all geared up for another interesting round. Will it be Ħamrun Spartans who will once again win this round and thus we won't have the final four? Who will be there challengers? Floriana? Valletta? Sliema? Will there be changes in the Top Six as both Hibernians and Gżira United will press to return amongst the elite. And will Naxxar and Tarxien finish in the bottom places? Let's stop speculating and enjoy more of what's in store.
'Can't understand why opponents are happy'
- Daniel Portela, coach Floriana FC
'My first words are more of disbelief rather than on the match. I can't understand what's the reason for Valletta celebrating and being happy. They didn't win and they also didn't make it to the eventual play offs.' These were the first comments passed by Floriana coach Daniel Portela following the goaless draw against rivals Valletta. Portella continued . 'Of course we are sad since we lost first place in the last day. But we finished just one point off first place and well positioned to offer a challenge in the Closing Round. I am proud of the players that form this squad who had a wonderful Opening Round.'
'Second half reaction was not enough'
- Steve Borg, captain Valletta FC
'This match means a lot for our supporters and we wanted to give them something to shout about'. Comments made by Valletta captain Steve Borg as soon as the Valletta - Floriana derby came to an end. Borg insisted. 'This is not a normal game, the Valletta supporters who are loyal and do a lot of sacrifices always want that we put that extra effort in this match since it means a lot for them. During the ninety minutes it was a balanced affair, but the match came to life midway through the second half when parity on the pitch was restored.'
CURIOSITIES
v Floriana scored in each league match this season except against Valletta. In the first round match they ended losing by a 2-0 scoreline and last Saturday they drew but once again failed to find the net against their arch rivals.
v The Premier League clubs failed to find a compromise on the distribution of gate money. Ten clubs want that this is divided equally between the entire teams forming the MPL but Valletta and Hamrun Spartans are of a different opinion. But did the discussion go beyond gate money? How will expenses be divided?
v Birkirkara are passing through a very difficult time. In fact the 2-1 loss against Marsaxlokk was their sixth consecutive defeat. The last time that the Stripes lost 6 consecutive league matches was in 2019. These consisted of the last 4 league matches of 2018/19 and opening 2 matches of 2019/20 season.
v For the final matches of the Bottom Six played last Sunday there was no FVS in place. This after an agreement between the clubs concerned since the system could cater for two Stadia only at the same time and on Sunday three matches kicked off at 2pm.
OPENING ROUND TOP SIX FINAL TABLE
Ħamrun S.* 34
Floriana 33
Valletta 29
Sliema W. 26
M'Xlokk 25
Birkirkara 16
OPENING ROUND BOTTOM SIX FINAL TABLE
Hibernians 23
Gżira Utd. 22
Żabbar SP 16
Mosta 16
Naxxar L.** 15
Tarxien R.** 9
*Opening Round winners
** Opening Round relegated teams
RESULTS - MD 16
Floriana - Valletta 0-0
Ħamrun S. - Sliema W. 1-0
M'Xlokk - B'Kara 2-1
Gżira Utd. - Żabbar SP 0-2
Hibernians - Mosta 0-2
Naxxar L. - Tarxien R. 1-0
NEXT MATCHES - MD 17
Friday 16th January
Tony Bezzina Stadium
6.30pm Sliema W. - Żabbar SP
9.00pm Mosta - Valletta
Saturday 17th January
Victor Tedesco Stadium
2.00pm Floriana - Naxxar L.
4.30pm Ħamrun S. - Tarxien R.
Sunday 18th January
Centenary
11.00am Gżira Utd. - M'Xlokk
Tony Bezzina Stadium
5.00pm Birkirkara - Hibernians
CLEAN SHEETS
Ħamrun S. 9
Valletta 5
Birkirkara 7
Marsaxlokk 6
Floriana 6
Mosta 4
Sliema W. 4
Gżira Utd. 3
Żabbar SP 3
Hibernians 2
Naxxar L. 2
Tarxien R. 0
TOP SCORERS
L. Villela (Hibernians) 11
Y. Messias (Valletta) 8
P. Emanuel (Mosta) 7
M. Jah (Floriana) 6
S. Bah (Sliema W.) 6
J. Grech (Floriana) 6
A. Penha da Costa (Gżira Utd.) 6
C. Padilha Mendonca (Hibernians) 6
G. Mentz (Gżira Utd.) 4
A. Abubakar (B'Kara) 4
N. Koffi (Ħamrun S.) 4
Z. Leonardi (Żabbar SP) 4
M. Garcia (Ħamrun S.) 4
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