In terms of rescources and form, the match between Valletta and Rabat Ajax was football’s equivalent of a David versus Goliath contest.

Pre-match forecasts that this fixture would be a stroll in the park for the Citizens proved way off the mark, however.

Far from being intimidated by their opponents’ lofty reputation, the Magpies not only defended well but also attacked with purpose and struck a blow with a resilient display that frustrated Valletta who always seem to struggle to impose their game at the Ħamrun ground.

The star-studded City team were optimistic about their chances of taking full points with the minimum effort but, perhaps, they committed the cardinal mistake of underestimating their opponents.

No doubt, the point gained is a boost for Rabat and their chances of putting up a strong fight to avoid the drop. However, after nine matches, victory still eludes the Premier League bottom-placed team.

The Magpies’ artillery was not far from David’s sling and stone given the absences of Justin Felice, Ryan Micallef and Adam Smeir.

Caught short in attack, coach Silvio Vella opted for a 4-1-4-1 formation, showing two changes from the Mosta defeat with goalkeeper Sean Mintoff being preferred to Jonathan Azzopardi and Joseph Caruana taking the place of Smeir.

Valletta coach Mark Miller sprung a surprise in the starting line-up, dropping Roderick Briffa to the bench and handing Ryan Fenech his first start since he limped out injured against Hibernians.

But it was the view of Shaun Bajada coming out of the dressing rooms, donning the no.7 shirt – forever associated with semi-retired talisman Gilbert Agius – which was met with a few raised eyebrows from the City supporters.

With Briffa out of the equation, the captain’s armband was handed over to Michael Mifsud.

Surprisingly, the Ajax took the field without the hint of inferiority complex and inside the first seven minutes, Manuel Fuster served Clifford Gauci who drove against the side-netting.

It did not take Valletta long to create their first opportunity. Fenech drifted into the box from the right but his shot was slightly off target.

Miller’s men started to dominate possession but without stretching the Magpies’ rearguard beyond routine work and they fell into a lull – largely because Vella’s troops were reading their attacking tactics.

After 35 minutes, Valletta had a penalty shout turned down when Dylan Falzon tackled Mifsud to end his venture in the Rabat box.

Valletta 1
Gabriel 53
Rabat Ajax 1
Carapic 58

At the change of ends, Valletta finally demonstrated the imbalance of talent that exists between the two sides. And it proved to be a stroke of genius by Gabriel after 53 minutes to finally break Rabat’s resilience.

The Brazilian, aided by Bajada, showed great skill to twist and turn past two defenders before curling a precise flick into the far corner past Mintoff.

But the City celebrations lasted less than five minutes as Rabat dug deep and levelled matters when Ivan Carapic produced a delightful headed flick to convert Heinar Backhaus’s corner.

Valletta tried to hit back. William Barbosa’s effort was only blocked into the path of Gabriel but the Rabat goalkeeper stopped the follow-up shot.

Vella effected a surprise change at this point, opting to introduce Wayne Borg for the only striker Astruaskas.

Yet the move almost worked out immediately for the Rabat coach as the nippy substitute outmuscled Manuel Bartolo on Backhaus’s long-range ball but the goalkeeper recovered in time to clear the danger.

Borg increased Rabat’s pace in attack and the Ajax kept Valletta rearguard rather busy with his effective runs.

At death, Mifsud cracked a rising shot that dipped just over the bar.

Valletta: M. Bartolo-6, Ricardo-6, K. Magro-5, S. Borg-4.5 (46 D. Falzon-5), J. Caruana-5.5, W. Barbosa-5.5, R. Fenech-4.5, Gabriel-6.5, Denni-5 (75 Leandro), M. Mifsud-4.5, S. Bajada-5.5 (71 I. Zammit).

Rabat Ajax: S. Mintoff-6.5, I. Carapic-7, J. Caruana-7, H. Backhaus-8.5, N. Astrauskas-7 (73 W. Borg), M. Fuster-6.5 (90 G. Gesualdi), D. Falzon-7, C. Brincat-6.5, Y. Cauchi-6.5, D. Azzopardi-7, C. Gauci-7.

Referee Andre Arciola.

Yellow Cards Magro, Mintoff, Gauci.

Bov Player Of The Match Heinar Backhaus (Rabat Ajax).

Attendance 813.

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