Mifsud nets treble as Valletta ease past 10-man Marsaxlokk

Marsaxlokk 2
Templeman 54 pen, 87;
Valletta 5
Mifsud 8, 45 pen, 79; Barbosa 43; Borg 84 pen;

Three goals in the opening 45 minutes propelled Valletta to a comfortable victory over bottom-placed Marsaxlokk in a one-sided encounter yesterday.

Few can debate the legitimacy of the champions’ win yesterday as the Citizens, inspired by three-goal hero Michael Mifsud, were a cut above their struggling opponents from the outset. Once Mifsud put Valletta ahead after eight minutes, any hopes Marsaxlokk might have had of causing an upset vanished.

Marsaxlokk did try to limit the space for the silky Valletta forwards but the speed of attacking trio Mifsud, Alfred Effiong and Ousseni Zongo constantly exposed the weaknesses of the southerners’ defence.

The controversial dismissal of Italian wing-back Modesto Valeriani on the stroke of half-time further complicated matters for Anton Cremona’s side.

To their credit, Marsaxlokk battled on and managed to score two goals against the Citizens despite playing the entire second half with 10 men.

Coming from a goalless draw against Sliema, Valletta were pleased to get back to winning ways as yesterday’s success restored their four-point lead over Hibernians at the top of the standings.

At the other end of the table, Marsaxlokk remained anchored to the bottom with 11 points.

Valletta coach Jesmond Zerafa recalled Brazilian midfielder William Barbosa to the starting formation at the expense of Nahuel Pulitano Jimenez who had been ranked doubtful with a foot injury. The Argentine midfielder started on the bench.

Burkina Faso wing-back Saidou Panandetiguiri was included in the Valletta squad for the first time after returning from Africa Cup duty while fellow new signing Roderick Bajada was also among the substitutes.

Cremona, the Marsaxlokk coach, handed new signings Ivan Kurtusic and Alex Pedroza a berth in the starting formation but Nigerian Peter Oladatun had to make do with a place on the bench. Clive Brincat was declared fit after recovering from a knee injury.

Valletta quickly gained the initiative and after three minutes, Brincat’s clearance inadvertently hit referee Esther Azzopardi with the ball falling kindly to Mifsud whose shot was saved by the alert Christian Cassar.

Mifsud was not to be denied five minutes later when Ian Azzopardi served him in the box and the Malta striker quickly slid the ball past the onrushing Marsaxlokk goalkeeper.

Seven minutes later, the Citizens threatened again when Zongo’s inswinger found Effiong who headed the ball wide.

Mifsud should have doubled Valletta’s lead on 19 minutes. He found himself in ample space in the area after a Zongo incursion but lost his balance when hitting the ball and Cassar saved easily.

Marsaxlokk had to wait until the 35th minute to create their first opportunity. Valletta wing-back Roderick Briffa slipped as he tried to intercept Stoskovic’s long pass and in came Gary Caruana who shot straight at Andrew Hogg, the Valletta goalkeeper.

Valletta finally increased their lead two minutes from the break. Mifsud was fouled on the edge of the area and from the resultant free-kick, Barbosa’s curling drive came off the upright and ricocheted into the net via Cassar’s back.

In stoppage time, referee Azzopardi was at the centre of attention when she ruled that Valeriani handled the ball as he attempted to block Zongo’s shot.

The Italian flank defender, who had already been booked, received his second yellow card and was dismissed.

Mifsud stepped up for the penalty and sent the ball past Cassar.

After the interval, Cremona moved to strengthen his backline as he withdrew striker Jean Paul Farrugia and roped in Patrick Borg.

Surprisingly, it was Marsaxlokk who hit the target on 54 minutes. Azzopardi stirred further controversy when she deemed that Jonathan Caruana had tripped Stoskovic inside the area but the Valletta defender looked to have taken the ball. From the resultant penalty, Trevor Templeman rammed the ball into the net.

The woodwork temporarily denied Mifsud his hat-trick as the Malta captain unleashed a powerful low drive that came off the upright with Cassar beaten.

Valletta kept pushing forward and on the hour Mifsud served the unmarked Effiong who fired wide. That turned out to be the Nigerian’s last contribution as he was replaced by Panandetiguiri.

Mifsud had another glorious opportunity on 64 minutes when he was released by Denni but the striker was blocked by the onrushing Cassar.

Nineteen minutes from time, Bajada made his first appearance in the City colours when he came on for Denni.

On 75 minutes, Edmond Agius came close to putting his name among the scorers but his long-range shot was tipped over by Cassar.

Mifsud finally completed his hat-trick 11 minutes from time when the Valletta striker stormed clear, rounded goalkeeper Cassar and deposited the ball into an empty net.

Cassar stopped Valletta from adding a fifth goal eight minutes from time when he dived to his right to push away Barbosa’s shot.

Valletta were awarded a second penalty with six minutes left when Caruana was floored in the area by Borg. Defender Steve Borg took the penalty and drilled his shot past Cassar.

Marsaxlokk still found time to score a second three minutes from time when Templeman moved past two defenders before hitting a low drive past Hogg.

Marsaxlokk
C. Cassar-6.5, M. Valeriani, J. Brincat-4, C. Brincat-5, J. Xerri-5 (81 C. Debattista), T. Templeman-5, N. Stoskovic-5, J.P. Farrugia-5 (46 P. Borg-5), G. Caruana-5 (66 S. Eboh-5), I. Kurtusic-5, A. Pedroza-4.

Valletta
A. Hogg-5, J. Caruana-6.5, S. Borg-6, I. Azzopardi-6, R. Briffa-6, E. Agius-6, O. Zongo-6.5 (81 S. Arab), Denni-6 (72 R. Bajada), A. Effiong-5 (60 S. Panandetiguiri-5), W. Barbosa-6.5, M. Mifsud-8.

Referee: Esther Azzopardi.

Yellow cards: Valeriani; Caruana; Borg.

Red card: Valeriani (M) 45.

BOV player of the match: Michael Mifsud (Valletta).

Attendance: 1,320.