Cruyff double lifts Valletta - December 14, 2009

Dingi Swallows 1
Borg 57
Valletta 4
Zammit 14; Scerri 21; Cruyff 37, 76

Qormi's slip-up to Birkirkara on Saturday presented Valletta with the chance to reclaim top spot. The Citizens could not have hoped for an easier route to the summit as their opponents yesterday were none other than lowly Dingli Swallows.

Three goals inside the opening 37 minutes allayed any fears the City fans might have had of another taxing outing as Valletta imposed themselves on the game from the outset.

Jordi Cruyff was instrumental to Valletta's victory as the former Manchester United midfielder hit a brace, his second coming after a catalogue of missed opportunities by his team and after Dingli had narrowed the deficit to breathe life into a game that seemed over as a contest by the end of the first half.

Ian Zammit retained his place in Valletta's starting XI after his hat-trick against Vittoriosa in midweek propelled the Citizens into the quarter-finals of the Anniversary Cup.

Suspension deprived coach Ton Caanen of defender Luke Dimech and winger Doding Priso.

The Valletta fans greeted the sight of Cleaven Frendo walking towards the dug-out with a warm applause. Frendo was included in the squad for the first time since he ruptured his knee ligaments in March.

Three minutes into the game, Joseph Okonkwo raced past Borg but out came Andrew Hogg to close down Dingli's Nigerian forward.

The early exchanges were bereft of creative football but 14 minutes into the game, Valletta broke the deadlock.

There seemed little danger for Dingli when Gilbert Agius retrieved a loose ball. As Dingli crowded their box, Agius laid the ball back to the unmarked Zammit who unleashed a ferocious drive that soared into the net.

Sadly, that was Zammit's last meaningful contribution as the 23-year-old departed after suffering a knee injury.

Valletta doubled their advantage on 21 minutes. Terrence Scerri easily outmuscled Matthew Borg on the edge of the area before sending a low shot that caught Farrugia by surprise.

With Dingli struggling, Valletta maintained their supremacy.

Fastening onto an excellent pass from Cruyff, Scerri outpaced Shaun Tellus but as the City striker dithered, the Dingli defender recovered ground and dispossessed his tormentor.

Sammut, an enterprising figure on the right, was then denied by Farrugia but eight minutes from half-time, Valletta made it 3-0.

The Dingli defence again pressed the panic button as Sammut's cross from the right landed in the goalmouth. Cruyff evaded a defender before blasting the ball into the net.

Hogg had not had much to do in the opening 40 minutes but showed sound reflexes when diving to his right to push away Kevin Borg's shot.

A sweeping City move should have yielded a fourth as Cruyff's clever pass soared above the Dingli defenders and towards Sammut who ran clear before delivering a pass to Agius who was alone in front of goal. The City captain failed to control and the chance was lost.

Five minutes into the second half, Borg's long throw soared into Dingli's box but Cruyff's header was easily dealt with by Farrugia.

Hogg then thwarted Zarb as the goalkeeper tipped the Dingli forward's dipping effort over the bar.

Valletta looked strangely casual in the opening stages of the second half and Dingli gained courage. They reduced the arrears on 57 minutes when Kevin Borg's cross from the right sailed past Hogg after Okonkwo's jump had wrong-footed the City defence.

Scerri should have restored Valletta's three-goal lead when he surged past Tellus but his shot lacked precision.

All roads seemed to lead to Farrugia's goal at this juncture as the Citizens poured forward in numbers. They should have made it 4-1 when Cruyff and Scerri combined to set up Sammut but the latter failed to make contact as he tried to shoot.

In no time, the former Marsaxlokk winger had the chance to atone when Falzon's cross dropped at his feet but he skied his shot.

The onslaught continued and more chances fell to Sammut who, on one occasion, looked certain to score but his goalbound scorcher was blocked by Tellus.

Dingli's resistance gave way when, with 14 minutes remaining, Roderick Briffa picked out Agius in the box and the Valletta captain pulled the ball for the unmarked Cruyff who slotted home.

Dingli Swallows
J. Farrugia-4, R. Briffa-5, R. Conceicao-4, S. Tellus-5, K. Formosa-4, C. Muscat-5 ('81 C. Azzopardi), D. Cachia-4, K. Borg-6 ('75 E. Farrugia), M. Borg-4, J. Okonkwo-5.5, D. Zarb-5 ('67 H. Doda-4).

Valletta
A. Hogg-6.5, S. Bezzina-6, R. Briffa-6.5, K. Scicluna-6, S. Borg-6, G. Agius-6.5, J. Cruyff-7 ('77 D. Grima), J. Pace-6, I. Zammit-6.5 ('18 D. Falzon-6), T. Scerri-6, K. Sammut-7 ('83 J. Grioli).

Referee: Clayton Pisani.

Yellow cards: Cruyff; Briffa; Scerri; Conceicao.

BOV player of the match: Kevin Sammut (Valletta).

Kevin Azzopardi, Hibs Ground