Kantelberg puts City back in contention

Valletta 2
Kantelberg 14, 84
Birkirkara 0

Two goals from Dutch striker Leon Kantelberg steered Valletta to a 2-0 win over Birkirkara last night that put the Citizens back in contention for the 2009 Euro Cup.

After the abject performance in the upset to Hibernians on Monday, the Citizens hit back in convincing style yesterday.

Valletta outplayed their opponents for long stretches and could have easily finished with a more pronounced win had they taken the chances that came their way.

Kantelberg produced a five-star display for the Citizens. Not only did he score both goals but he was also a constant threat to the Stripes defenders as the more illustrious Jordi Cruyff played an inspirational role in Valletta's midfield.

This victory put Valletta back in the reckoning to win the competition as they are currently third in the standings, one point behind co-leaders Sliema and Hibs. The Citizens will lift the trophy if they beat the Wanderers in their final match tomorrow and Hibs fail to beat Birkirkara.

Danish defender Ron Hartvig gave Birkirkara a timely boost as he recovered from a bad knock on Monday to make the starting formation. Omar Borg started in goal ahead of Bernard Paris as Peter Pavlovic made his first start in lieu of Patrick Borg.

Valletta coach Tom Caanen had Andrew Hogg in goal while Justin Grioli was replaced by Edmund Agius in the starting XI. Roderick Briffa came on for Stefan Giglio and Priso Doding replaced Sendley Bito up front.

Valletta made all the early running and Cruyff almost notched his first goal for the Whites on 14 minutes when his header from a Briffa centre was cleared off the line by Paul Fenech.

However, Valletta nosed ahead four minutes later. Kantelberg opened the score after hitting firmly past Borg from a free-kick.

On 23 mintues, Gilbert Agius served Falzon whose first shot was blocked by Borg. From the rebound, the City winger headed wide. Edmund Agius then unleashed a powerful drive that flew just over with Borg beaten.

Hogg almost gifted Birkirkara an equaliser ten minutes from the break. The Valletta keeper sprinted out of his goal to intercept a pass to Nemanja Kokanovic but ended up losing possession himself. Luckily for Hogg, Kokanovic shot wide in front of a gaping goal.

After the change of ends, both teams effected one change. Birkirkara's Thomas Paris was replaced by Angus Buhagiar while Jamie Pace came on for Edmund Agius, of Valletta.

Kantelberg came agonisingly close to a second goal on 51 minutes when his shot on the turn was pushed away by the alert Borg.

The Dutch forward was at it again on 58 minutes when he shielded the ball expertly in the area but his shot was again neutralised by the Birkirkara keeper.

Birkirkara were clearly struggling to create any scoring chances as their forwards looked too isolated up front. Valletta held possession and Hogg was rarely tested.

The robust Kantelberg remained the most effective City player though and threatened again on 75 minutes when he did well to connect to a Briffa delivery but his volley was stopped by Borg.

However, Valletta put seal to their win six minutes from time when Kantelberg controlled the ball inside the Birkirkara box and let rip a powerful drive that flew into the roof of the net.

Valletta
A. Hogg, K. Scicluna, L. Dimech, S. Bezzina, R. Briffa, J. Cruyff ('81 D. Grima), G. Agius, E. Agius ('46 J. Pace), D. Priso ('74 I. Zammit), L. Kantelberg, D. Falzon.

Birkirkara
O. Borg, T. Paris ('46 A. Buhagiar), S. Bajada, J. Zerafa, R. Hartvig, P. Pavlovic ('66 R. Muscat), P. Fenech, T. Cilia, A. Tabone, N. Kokanovic, D. Vidosaljevic ('78 L. Sciberras).

Referee: Paul Caruana.

Yellow cards: Paris, Fenech, Bezzina.