Agius returns to boost Valletta's Euro bid

Sliema Wanderers 0
Valletta 2

The dust has already settled on the championship issue as the lethargic performance of Sliema Wanderers yesterday indicated. Not so for the race for the runners-up spot as Valletta's 2-0 victory over the new Malta champions means that the scrap for second place will go down to the wire.

With only one match of the Premier League trek remaining, the gap between Birkirkara and the third-placed Citizens has whittled down to two points. This should help to whip up the fading interest in the league for the last round of matches as Birkirkara take on Sliema in their final match while the Citizens square up to Hibernians.

Dennis Fenech's team thoroughly deserved their victory yesterday for the simple reason that they were the ones who cherished it most. Their optimism ahead of their last match will have been bolstered by the return to action of talisman Gilbert Agius after a lengthy absence caused by injury. Agius came on for Keith Fenech in the 67th minute and turned in an acceptable performance considering his long lay-off.

Their 24th title already wrapped up, complacency has clearly set in Sliema's ranks. Edward Aquilina, who will stay on as Sliema coach for another season, had to dig deep into his playing resources as several first-team players are on the treatment table. These include Joe Brincat, Jeffrey Chetcuti, goalkeeper Murphy Akanji, Brian Said, Kevin Sammut and Nenad Veselji.

Sliema striker Danilo Doncic may have increased his goals' tally in the early stages but his angled shot flashed against the side-rigging.

Valletta's response was immediate. David Carabott unleashed a looping free-kick which rebounded off the crossbar. Moments later, defender Darren Debono missed a golden opportunity to fire his side into the lead but sidefooted the ball into Jason Cordina's hands after he was sent clear by Keith Fenech's astute pass.

After a spell of Valletta ascendancy, it was Sliema who briefly seized the initiative, Doncic forcing Sullivan into a save after 19 minutes.

With Carabott and Forace driving forward incessantly down the flanks and the young Jonathan Bondin enforcing his graft the middle, Valletta stemmed the tide, Oretan just failing to connect with a Fenech cross.

At the other end, Orosco Anonam could not get enough precision and power to his header as he made contact with Noel Turner's perfect cross. Massimo Grima then hit the crossbar with a typically swerving free-kick as the efforts of both teams to gain an early breakthrough made for an interesting opening.

A fluid Sliema move saw the ball pass between Rupert Mangion and Grima who released Doncic inside the box but the latter's low strike was blocked by Sullivan's extended feet.

Doncic was clear again after 34 minutes, racing to a Camilleri through-ball as the Valletta defence stopped for offside. The former City striker, however, dithered on the ball and when he struck it, Sullivan had closed the angle and deflected the ball away for a corner.

Rumen Galabov used his gangly legs and decent pace to outfox Okoh but his cross-shot towards Oretan was intercepted by Turner.

Within one minute of the second half, Anonam was through after Doncic's effort had been deflected by Saliba but his effort was kept out by the reliable Sullivan.

That was a decisive save as Valletta were able to launch an attack of their own which resulted in a penalty being awarded to them after Oretan was felled by Turner inside the box. Galabov made short work of the penalty to give Valletta the lead.

Stung into action by Valletta's opener, Sliema strived manfully to redress the imbalance with Doncic very much at the heart of their rally. On 59 minutes, a rising shot by Doncic whistled past the near post and, minutes later, Cordina fisted away a Bondin drive.

Galabov powered the ball over the crossbar from a Carabott corner-kick. The sight of Agius standing by the touchline as he prepared to replace Fenech 67 minutes into the game was met with an applause by the City and Sliema fans.

Fifteen minutes from time, Oretan should have secured the points for Valletta but he lifted his shot high from point blank after receiving from Carabott. Five minutes later, the Citizens had the points in the bag when Bondin was on hand to slot the ball past the helpless Cordina after Galabov's fierce shot from the distance had ricocheted off the crossbar and into the young Valletta midfielder's feet. That these two players should contribute to Valletta's winning goal was just reward for their enterprise as they had been among the team's best performers.

Doncic may have scored a late consolation goal for Sliema but he failed to meet a pass from Turner.

Sliema: J. Cordina, K. Laferla, G. Ohaegbu (I. Ciantar), C. Okoh, N. Turner, M. Grima, D. Camilleri, C. Mamo (M. Coleiro), R. Mangion, D. Doncic, O. Anonam (M. Martin).

Valletta: S. Sullivan, B. Pace, D. Debono, N. Saliba, D. Carabott, K. Fenech (G. Agius), J. Bondin (K. Zammit), E. Azzopardi, R. Forace, C. Oretan, R. Galabov (K. Bonnici).

Referee: Lorry Sammut.

Scorers: Galabov 47th pen.; Bondin 80th.

Player Of The Match: Rumen Galabov (Valletta).