Valletta pull clear after Suguino dismissal

Tarxien Rainbows 1
Carabott 27;
Valletta 4
Denni 17 65, 86; Zongo 63;

Valletta dismantled ten-man Tarxien Rainbows as the Premier League leaders ran out 4-1 winners to go four points clear at the top of the standings.

Brazilian Denni slotted in the first of three goals early in the game but Tarxien showed commendable resolve to come from behind and equalise.

However, the dismissal of Caio Garcia Suguino proved too much to overcome for the struggling Rainbows. The Brazilian was sent off in the 53rd minute for simulation, with the scores level at 1-1, a technically correct decision by referee Alan Mario Sant but one that seemed harsh in the context that the striker was booked for wasting time in the first half.

Suguino’s dismissal inevitably changed the game completely as Valletta turned on the style with Dyson Falzon laying on assists for Ousseni Zongo and Denni to seal the issue.

Michael Mifsud, Falzon and Zongo were restored to Valletta’s starting formation as Zerafa made three alternations to the team that beat Marsaxlokk last Sunday.

The Valletta coach sent his team out in a re-modelled 4-2-3-1 formation from the usual 4-3-3.

Ian Azzopardi switched to a central role in defence to fill the void left by Jonathan Caruana as Falzon was given the job to patrol at left back.

William Barbosa was converted into a holding midfielder, offering extra cover to the defence.

Likewise, Patrick Curmi made three changes to the side that lost against Sliema with Suguino drafted back in the starting XI after serving suspension, to spearhead the attack with his compatriot Daniel Mariano Bueno in a 4-4-2 module while Ryan Mintoff and Adrian Carabott replaced Lee Galea and Stefan Giglio, the latter out through injury.

Valletta started positively, Mifsud jinking through but his stinging drive drifted across the face of goal and finished just wide.

After 10 minutes, Valletta goalkeeper Andrew Hogg endured some unsettling moments but blocked expertly Bueno’s pile-driver.

The Citizens were far from their best but Zongo was causing all sorts of problems for the Tarxien defence, running at them ruthlessly with terrifying pace, and he supplied a square pass for Denni who showed great composure to curl in nonchalantly after 17 minutes.

The goal should have been the signal for Valletta to get on the front foot but the opposite happened, with Tarxien gaining more possession and being rewarded for their efforts with an equaliser.

Former Valletta winger Adrian Carabott showed great skill to twist and turn past Steve Borg before unleashing a low shot past Hogg after 27 minutes.

Zerafa must have retained hoped his team’s undoubted extra quality would have prevailed but on the half hour, when a loose ball fell to Gilbert Agius, the Valletta skipper scuffed his right-footed shot and Tarxien cleared.

Chances remained few and far between until the match reached its climax on 53 minutes when Suguino received his second booking of the match for simulation.

The Citizens soon made their superiority count and they surged ahead on 63 minutes.

Falzon surged clear on the left before sending a dangerous cross into the path of Zongo who rifled the ball home.

The former Mosta midfielder repeated the trick two minutes later, advancing again down the left flank and firing a pass towards Denni, with Cassar failing to keep out the Brazilian’s shot.

Effiong was thrown into action on 68 minutes and caused great problems with his muscular presence, if not his finishing. In the 76th minute, Roderick Briffa crossed from the right but Gilbert Agius steered his volley just over the bar.

But that was just a temporary reprieve for Tarxien as Denni completed the rout four minutes from time, the nippy Brazilian smashing in the fourth from the edge of the box with Tarxien’s defence nowhere in sight.

Tarxien Rainbows: D. Cassar-6, C. Sammut-6, Everton-6, A. Carabott-7, K. Pulo-5, D.M. Bueno-6.5, J. Vella-6, O. Anonam-6 (79 L. Galea), R. Mintoff-6, J. Grioli-6, C. Suguino.

Valletta: A. Hogg-6, S. Borg-5, I. Azzopardi-5, R. Briffa-6, D. Falzon-8, E. Agius-5 (68 Effiong-5), G. Agius-6.5, Denni-8, O. Zongo-7 (77 J. Pace), W. Barbosa-5, M. Mifsud-5.5 (82 R. Fenech).

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.

Yellow cards: Suguino, Azzopardi, Falzon.

Red card: Suguino (T) 53.

BOV player of the match: Denni (Valletta).

Attendance: 789.

New coach Cremona takes over at beleaguered Marsaxlokk

Mqabba vs Floriana (today at 2 p.m., Hibs Stadium).

Floriana are sweating on the fitness of Pablo Doffo and Ivan Woods ahead of this match against Mqabba.

The Greens’ key duo are both nursing hamstring injuries and will undergo a late fitness test before coach Michael Woods will decide on his final squad. Defender Clyde Borg is out of the match as he must serve a one-match ban.

Mqabba will almost be at full strength with the only absentee being defender Pierre Grima who is out with a hand injury.

Midfielder Marko Potezica is struggling with knee trouble but is expected to recover.

First round: Floriana vs Mqabba 2-0.

Hibs vs Sliema Wanderers (today at 4 p.m., Hibs Stadium).

Hibernians are contending with a growing list of unfit players as coach Mark Miller is sure to be without defender Adrian Pulis (hamstring) while Clayton Failla (ankle), Marcelo Dias (ankle), Bjorn Kristensen (knee) and Aaron Xuereb (abdominal) are all facing a race against time to prove their fitness.

Danilo Doncic, the Sliema coach, also has his fair share of problems to deal with as Clifford Gatt Baldacchino is out with an ankle injury while Ryan Grech and Mark Scerri are also struggling with pulled hamstrings.

Jean-Pierre Mifsud Triganza should make himself available for this match but in all probability the Blues’ forward will have to undergo surgery soon to heal 100 per cent from his nagging injury.

First round: Sliema vs Hibs 3-3.

Mosta vs Marsaxlokk (tomorrow at 2 p.m., Tedesco Stadium).

Marsaxlokk will have a new coach in charge as Anton Cremona has just concluded talks to take over from Winston Muscat who quit the post last month.

Cremona, who was in charge of Gżira last season and also had spells as assistant coach at Valletta and Mosta, faces a tough debut as several members of the first team skipped training this week after falling out with the club’s com-mittee over unpaid salaries.

It seems that some players have also been approached by other clubs as they are seeking pastures new in the January transfer window even though Marsaxlokk yesterday issued a warning that their stance has no backing from the committee.

Mosta will also have a new man at the helm as Steve D’Amato makes his first appearance after replacing Oliver Spiteri this week.

D’Amato will have Kurt Magro available after missing the 3-2 upset to Floriana through suspension but Luca Martinelli is banned.

First round: Marsaxlokk vs Mosta 5-2.

Ħamrun Spartans vs Balzan Youths (today at 4.15 p.m., Tedesco Stadium).

Balzan are hopeful of having attacking duo Miguel Ciantar and Kris Bright available as the former is troubled with with a muscle strain while the New Zealander is hampered with a foot injury.

Balzan coach Ivan Zammit is sure to be without Clifton Ciantar and Jonathan Francica who are suspended.

Ħamrun will be without defender Nikica Gacesa, suspended, while goalkeeper Omar Borg and defender Steve Bonnici face a late fitness test.

First round: Balzan vs Ħamrun 1-3 (Balzan win 2-0 on table).

Qormi vs Birkirkara (Monday at 7.30 p.m., Tedesco Stadium).

Striker Daniel Nwoke is Qormi’s biggest doubt for Monday’s match against Birkirkara.

The Nigerian striker picked up an injury during his team’s 4-0 defeat to Hibernians and faces a race against time to play a part in this match.

Defender Federico Mirarchi and midfielder Joseph Farrugia are also sidelined for Qormi.

Birkirkara are concerned with the fitness of midfielder Rowen Muscat and striker Terrence Vella.

The Malta U-21 duo felt unwell after Tuesday’s qualifier against Sweden and coach Paul Zammit is hopeful of having them back in time for this match on Monday.

The Stripes, still awaiting the verdict of their protest against Tarxien, could give some playing time to recovering midfielder Shaun Bajada, provided he gets the go-ahead from the medics.

First round: Birkirkara vs Qormi 2-0.