Zongo seals it for City

Marsaxlokk 0
Valletta 2
G. Agius 58; Zongo 89;

Marsaxlokk’s financial crisis had moved their players to consider going on strike before their daunting clash with Valletta.

This fixture brought the gulf between the two clubs into sharp focus as a Valletta squad brimming with star players and guided by the coaching tandem of Jesmond Zerafa and Leonard Farrugia were up against a cash-strapped club who, besides still being without a coach, had to release two foreign players, Florent Raimy and Carlos Campagnoli, in midweek.

Although the Marsaxlokk players, or the majority of them, showed up at the Tedesco Stadium yesterday, Valletta were widely fancied to cruise to a ‘walkover’ victory.

That these expectations failed to materialise is down to the resilience of the Marsaxlokk players, especially their young keeper Christian Cassar.

He embodied Marsaxlokk’s defiance with a string of fine saves as the players in front of him battled gamely to repel Valletta’s attacks but their efforts were ultimately not enough to avoid defeat as the champions prevailed 2-0.

Yet, for the second successive game, Valletta needed two second-half goals to overpower their defensive-minded opponents.

It was not before Ousseni Zongo, a second-half substitute, snaffled the second goal in the dying stages that Valletta could breathe easily but they certainly deserved their victory which lifted them back to the top of the table on 28 points, one ahead of Hibs.

Ian Azzopardi, Ryan Fenech and Alfred Effiong were restored to Valletta’s starting formation as Zerafa made three alterations from the 2-0 win over Balzan.

The City coach took no risks with Michael Mifsud’s fitness as the Malta captain has a minor injury. Midfielder Jamie Pace and wing-back Dyson Falzon also had to settle for a place on the bench.

Zerafa favoured a 4-3-3 strategy with William Barbosa, Denni and Effiong deployed in attack.

Marsaxlokk’s build-up to this match was overshadowed by the club’s serious off-field problems.

Malcolm Licari, who doubled up as coach in Marsaxlokk’s 5-3 win over Ħamurn, pulled out of the match due to personal differences with the club’s administration.

The Marsaxlokk players left it until a few minutes before kick-off to finalise their line-up. Martin Deanov was absent from the squad while experienced goalkeeper Reuben Gauci was a substitute as Cassar enjoyed a rare start.

Nigerian Obinna Obiefule was Marsaxlokk’s lone striker with Emiliano Lattes playing just behind.

Cassar effected a routine save from Denni’s central effort inside the opening minute.

Marsaxlokk’s first attempt at goal came after three minutes when Gary Caruana’s long-range drive was stopped by Andrew Hogg, the Valletta goalkeeper.

Denni’s twisting run on the left wing spread panic in the Marsa-xlokk defence as the Brazilian raced into the box before passing to Effiong whose point-blank flick grazed the near post.

Gilbert Agius miscued his shot from inside the box as Valletta continued to press forward.

A lapse in concentration by the City defenders almost proved costly as a long cross from Marsaxlokk’s half soared over a posse of red-shirted players and towards Obiefule who sent his shot wide as Hogg came out to close the angle.

This came on 17 minutes. Four minutes later, Valletta threatened to go ahead as Edmond Agius’s cross from a free-kick flew towards Gilbert Agius whose header looked destined to hit the back of the net but Cassar pulled off an acrobatic save to tip the ball over the bar.

Although Valletta were dominant, Marsaxlokk periodically posed a threat on the counter. On one occasion, Lattes closed in on goal after Valletta had failed to deal with a pass from midfield but out came Hogg to douse the danger.

At the other end, Barbosa slipped a through-pass to Effiong who tried to create space for a shot but Cassar intercepted the Nigerian. The Marsaxlokk keeper continued to frustrate the Citizens.

Close to the half-hour mark, Roderick Briffa swung the ball towards the far post and Denni looked odds-on to score but his close-range drive was pawed away by Cassar. The loose ball rolled to Barbosa whose effort hit the post.

It was all Valletta now. Barbosa scuffed his shot after Fenech’s set-piece cross from the right had led to a series of half-clearances from the Marsaxlokk defenders.

For all their possession, Valletta were finding it hard to break down Marsaxlokk’s resistance.

At the start of the second half, Jean Paul Farrugia came on for Dylan Kokavessis, who looked to have picked up a thigh injury. Less than three minutes after the restart, Gilbert Agius’s chip from an angled position inside the Marsaxlokk box landed on the roof of net.

Valletta finally broke the stalemate 13 minutes into the second half. Fenech played a key role as the former Spartans midfielder strode clear on the left before delivering an inviting cross towards Gilbert Agius who prodded home.

Agius celebrated his goal by mimicking a limping old man after being taunted by opposing fans about his age.

Lifted by their breakthrough, Valletta should have doubled their lead when Barbosa picked out Denni and the Brazilian passed to Effiong but the latter’s effort was too central.

At the other end, Obiefule set off on a diagonal run before squaring to Farrugia who fired wide from outside the box.

Valletta increased their forays into Marsaxlokk’s half in search of a second goal. Effiong skewed his shot over the bar after receiving from Gilbert Agius before Cassar denied Edmond Agius when fisting away his piledriver.

In a rare breakaway, Caruana supplied a through-ball to Obiefule, forcing Hogg to sprint off his line. The goalkeeper mishit his clearance but luckily the ball landed at the feet of Jonathan Caruana.

With four minutes remaining, Hogg easily saved Jonathan Xerri’s header. Valletta would have sealed the issue were it not for Cassar who conjured up another excellent save to keep out a ferocious shot from Zongo who had replaced Denni.

Zongo’s foraging runs were causing problems to the tiring Marsaxlokk players. Two minutes from time, the former Msida midfielder hit the jackpot.

After receiving a pass from Gilbert Agius, Zongo accelerated into the box from the left and beat Cassar with an angled grounder.

The City fans showed their appreciation for Zongo’s contribution by shouting his name.

Marsaxlokk may have pulled one back at the death but Hogg palmed Carlo Mamo’s rising effort over the crossbar after the Blues captain had got on the end of Obiefule’s corner.

Marsaxlokk
C. Cassar-8, M. Valeriani-5.5 (84 J.C. Vella), J. Xerri-6.5, C. Brincat-6.5, C. Mamo-6, S. Eboh-6.5, P. Borg-6, D. Kokavessis-5 (46 J. P. Farrugia-5.5), E. Lattes-6 (77 S. Borg), G. Caruana-6.5, O. Obiefule-6.

Valletta
A. Hogg-6.5, J. Caruana-6.5, S. Borg-6, I. Azzopardi-6, R. Briffa-6, R. Fenech-6.5 (72 D. Falzon), E. Agius-6, G. Agius-7, Denni-6 (79 O. Zongo-7), W. Barbosa-7, A. Effiong-6.5.

Referee: Paul Caruana.

Yellow cards: Eboh; Fenech; Barbosa; Xerri.

BOV player of the match: Christian Cassar (Marsaxlokk).

Attendance: 978.

Standings