Valiant Hibs spoil City's unbeaten start

Valletta 0
Hibernians 1
Herrera 33

"Man for man, we can give Valletta a hard time," Hibs coach Mark Miller told me on the eve of his team's first skirmish with Valletta. Miller was spot-on as his team, despite missing some important players, heeded his call for a bold performance to hand Valletta their first defeat of the season.

Having taken the lead through Edward Herrera in a balanced first half in which Hibs had the edge over Valletta in the battle for midfield supremacy, Miller's men dug deep into their reserves of resilience to survive their opponents' second-half siege.

Towering performances from the likes of goalkeeper Mario Muscat, Jonathan Caruana and Rumen Galabov were key to Hibs' success yesterday as Valletta, for all their riches, lacked the flair and cutting edge to break their opponents' resistance.

Valletta coach Ton Caanen made no alterations from the team that started Monday's 2-0 victory over Qormi. Tactics-wise, Caanen stuck with a 4-2-3-1-cum-4-4-2 approach.

Terrence Scerri, making his first appearance against the club he left last summer to join the Citizens, was deployed at the tip of Valletta's formation with Dutch striker Geert den Ouden operating behind him.

Towering defender Aaron Xuereb was restored to Hibs' starting formation, replacing Ryan Camilleri who had been ranked doubtful in the lead-up to yesterday's match.

Hibs' tactical disposition was similar to that of their opponents as Etienne Barbara, signed as a replacement for Scerri, led the the Paolites' attack with Latvian forward Olegs Malasenoks given extra duties to track back when the team-mates were chasing possession.

Before kick-off, sights were drawn to the side of the enclosure housing the City fans who broke into a loud applause after flowers were presented to relatives of Gerald (Jerry) Mallia, an avid Valletta supporter who passed away this week.

Scerri threatened to make an instant mark on the match with a well-hit volley from Kevin Sammut's right-wing cross but his central effort was saved by Muscat, the Hibs goalkeeper.

On 16 minutes, Jonathan Pearson tested waters with a long-range screamer that was beaten away by Andrew Hogg. In no time, Hibs were screaming penalty after Edward Herrera, yesterday taking up a wide role on the right of midfield, appeared to have been impeded from pouncing on the loose ball. Referee Adrian Azzopardi was unmoved.

A strong run by Galabov after Hibs had cleared a Valletta corner caused consternation in the City defence who somehow managed to dispossess the lanky Bulgarian on the edge of the penalty area.

A series of abrasive tackles heightened tension on the pitch and Miller was banished to the stands after kicking the ball away in anger after disagreeing with a referee's decision.

Scoring chances were a scarce commodity in the opening half-hour.

Malasenoks tried his luck with a drive from outside the box but Hogg saved with ease.

Three minutes past the half hour, Hibs broke the deadlock. Malasenoks was the provider with a dangerous cross from the left that soared into the goalmouth. First Herrera and then Pearson appeared to get a faint touch to the ball which came off the base of the post and rolled back towards Herrera who fired home.

Muscat kept his team's lead intact when pushing Gilbert Agius's free-kick away for a corner. From the ensuing corner, taken by Agius, Steve Bezzina's flick was diverted away for a corner.

Having never conceded first in their previous five outings, Valletta were suddenly staring at an uphill task to preserve their unbeaten record.

Scerri was booked by Azzopardi for diving in the penalty area much to the delight of the Hibs fans.

On the stroke of half-time, Adrian Pulis's cross from the left appeared to pose no danger to the backtracking but the unyielding Pearson extended himself to direct the ball towards goal but his attempt was too central to trouble Hogg.

Three minutes into the second half, Agius waltzed his way to the edge of the box before switching the ball to Sammut who crossed to the far post but Scerri's header was off target.

The situation called for Valletta to step up their game by several notches as they looked disjointed and short of ideas in the opening half.

The Citizens, now playing 4-4-2, would have levelled but for another reflex save by Muscat on Luke Dimech's close-range header following a dipping Agius free-kick.

Valletta's struggles to find their passing range triggered boos from some fans.

After Agius had headed over, Caanen effected his first substitution, bringing on Ian Zammit for the disappointing Den Ouden.

As Hibs pulled more men behind the ball in a bid to preserve their one-goal lead, Valletta poured forward en masse.

The strong wind turned Priso's cross towards goal but Muscat was well-positioned to save.

It was now all-hands-to-the-pump for Hibs as the Citizens' onslaught continued. Roderick Briffa crossed for Scerri who nodded wide. Scerri then set up Priso who charged into the box but his effort was deflected away for a corner.

As the minutes ticked away, Hibs threatened to punish the Citizens' flat-out approach with some devastating counter-attacks. Seven minutes from time, referee Azzopardi incensed Hibs when he deemed that Galabov, who appeared to have been pushed by Pace in the box, had dived and booked the Bulgarian.

At the other end, Scerri spurned an excellent chance to equalise for Valletta when lifting his shot high from a good position.

In stoppage time, Barbara broke on the counter as he sped forward before setting up substitute Ryan Camilleri who was thwarted by the on-rushing Hogg.

In a frantic finale, Pulis saved Hibs when putting his body in the way of Scerri's goalbound effort.

Valletta
A. Hogg-6. S. Bezzina-5 ('80 D. Falzon), R. Briffa-6, L. Dimech-6, K. Scicluna-6, J. Pace-6, G. Agius-6 ('88 J. Cruyff), K. Sammut-7, D. Priso-6, G. Den Ouden-5 ('66 I. Zammit-6), T. Scerri-6.

Hibernians
M. Muscat-8, J. Caruana-8.5, E. Herrera-7 ('89 M. Tabone), A. Pulis-7, A. Xuereb-7, J. Pearson-7 ('63 R. Camilleri-6), C. Callejas-7, E. Barbara-6.5, O. Malasenoks-6.5, R. Galabov-8, K. Cassar-7.

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.

Yellow cards: Priso; Scerri; Pace; Barbara; Xuereb; Scicluna; Galabov.

BoV player of the match: Mario Muscat (Hibs).