Rabat Ajax 1
Negrin 9
Valletta 1
Ogunnuppe 87

What was initially dismissed as a blip has become a full-blown crisis for champions Valletta.

Just five days after crashing to a shock defeat to Melita, further ignominy loomed for the Citizens as, with only four minutes left, they trailed basement side Rabat Ajax who had gone ahead thanks to a fortuitous goal by man-of-the-match Jose Luis Armaro Negrin.

With his team desperately short of inspiration, Valletta coach Mark Miller called time on Gilbert Agius’s semi-retirement as the club stalwart was unleashed close to the hour of this action-packed match.

In spite of his lack of match fitness, Agius enabled Valletta to gain ground before the Citizens gained an equaliser three minutes from time thanks to another substitute, Joseph Jojo Ogunnuppe.

But the Nigerian’s leveller failed to mask another shambolic performance by the stuttering City who were jeered by their fans at the end, not surprising really as the champions have now won only once in their last eight games.

Rabat are still in search of their first win but how they deserved their point yesterday as they not only defended stoically but were incisive on the break.

Despite having the likes of Michael Mifsud, Steve Borg, William Barbosa and Ricardo missing, Miller was still able to pick a strong team.

His options were bolstered by the return of captain Roderick Briffa, back from suspension, and defender Jonathan Caruana while Shaun Bajada was preferred to Dyson Falzon.

Rabat Ajax coach Silvio Vella responded to the 6-0 mauling by Hibs by dropping goalkeeper Sean Mintoff in favour of Jonathan Azzopardi. Spanish midfielder Manuel Fuster was back after recovering from injury while Gaetano Gesualdi replaced Serbian defender Ivan Carapic, suspended.

Spanish striker Diego Carrillo Pendas, signed by Rabat this week, was among the substitutes.

Valletta quickly established control of possession but it was the Magpies who broke the deadlock with a bizarre goal.

Racing onto Fuster’s long pass, Negrin galloped towards goal but the on-rushing City goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo was first to the ball only for his clearance to glance off the Spaniard as the ball bobbled into the net.

The stunned Citizens were again caught out at the back as Rabat’s quick transition saw Fuster guide another inviting pass to Negrin but the latter made a hash of controlling the ball.

On 15 minutes , Valletta appealed for a penalty when Bajada’s cross came off Patrick Borg’s left arm but referee Fyodor Zammit deemed that the infringement had occurred just outside the box. Edmond Agius lifted his free-kick over the bar.

Another quick breakaway by Rabat spelt danger for the unsteady City defence as Fuster, again, supplied another excellent ball to Negrin who shrugged off Ian Azzopardi but his grounder was deflected away for a corner by Bartolo.

Zammit was high and wide with a long-range effort while Denni’s thunderous free-kick, from a tight angle, was also off target.

The complexion of the game was unchanged as Valletta retained the initiative and Rabat stuck to their prudent gameplan, always looking to release Negrin with quick vertical balls after winning back possession.

Valletta would have equalised but for two saves by Azzopardi from Denni’s volley and Bajada’s grounder from the edge of the box.

Two minutes from half-time, Bajada burst forward on the left before crossing towards the near post were Denni looked odds-on to score but his flying header flew over.

At the start of the second half, Valletta produced a long raid before Gabriel hit a low strike that was saved by Azzopardi.

Five minutes into the second half, Denni’s corner from the right was headed on by Zammit with the ball dropping to Azzopardi at the far post. The City defender’s shot was hooked off the line by Azzopardi.

Not before long, Rabat served up a reminder of their counter-attacking threat as Negrin forced his way through before crossing for the unmarked Joseph Caruana whose point-blank header drew a top save from Bartolo.

Amid the ensuing melee, Azzopardi’s miscued clearance hit the post.

Desperate situations call for desperate measures and Miller duly introduced Gilbert Agius for Edmond Agius.

Gabriel headed over close to the hour before Denni went closer when his goalbound header, from Agius’s assist, was cleared away by Borg.

In another Rabat counter-attack, Negrin ran through before unleashing an angled drive that brought another great save from Bartolo.

With 17 minutes, Leandro missed a gilt-edged chance to equalise as he curled his shot wide after being teed up by Ogunnuppe, who had replaced Zammit.

Carrillo Pendas, a second-half substitute, threatened to seal the points for Rabat but his stinging drive was pawed away by Bartolo.

Three minutes from time, Valletta levelled when Agius headed a cross into the goalmouth and, amid the resultant melee, Ogunnuppe fired home.

More drama followed as Bartolo was shown a straight red card for pushing Negrin to the ground as the City goalkeeper hurried to retrieve the ball following an offside decision against the Spaniard.

Gabriel took on goalkeeping duties for the remaining minutes.

Rabat Ajax: J. Azzopardi-7, G. Gesualdi-6 (89 K. Muscat), J. Caruana-7, J. Felice-6.5, J.L. Armaro Negrin-8, M. Fuster-7.5 (77 W. Borg), D. Falzon-6, P. Borg-6.5 (65 D.C. Pendas-6), Y. Cauchi-6, D. Azzopardi-7, C. Gauci-6.5.

Valletta: M. Bartolo, I. Azzopardi-6.5, E. Agius-5 (58 G. Agius-6), R. Briffa-5.5, I. Zammit-5 (67 J.J. Ogonnuppe-6), Leandro-4 (81 D. Falzon), J. Caruana-5, Denni-5, S. Bajada-5, R. Fenech-5, Gabriel-5.

Referee: Fyodor Zammit.

Yellow cards: E. Agius; P. Borg; Gesualdi; Fuster; Leandro; Briffa; Dyl. Falzon; Negrin.

Red card: Bartolo (V) 90.

BOV player of the match: Jose Luis Armaro Negrin (Rabat).

Attendance: 482.

Consistency is key for Hibs and Birkirkara

With the leading three teams swapping positions in the standings over the past few weeks, Hibs and Birkirkara will be bidding to end 2012 on top when they go head-to-head at the National Stadium today (kick-off 4pm).

As Hibs enjoy a two-point lead at the summit before this weekend’s programme, they will secure the platonic ‘winter title’ if they overcome Birkirkara.

The two sides have enjoyed contrasing fortunes in the last two games.

In fact, while Hibs recorded comprehensive victories over relegation strugglers Melita and Rabat Ajax, Birkirkara are coming from three consecutive draws against Balzan, Rabat and Floriana.

Hibs coach Michael Woods said his team’s objective is to collect more points than they had at this stage in the first round.

“In the first round, Birkirkara beat us 1-0 but in my opinion that game should have ended in a draw,” Wood said.

“Our goal is to gain more points that we did in the first round. We must strive for consistency, when considering that our next matches are against Birkirkara and Valletta.”

Consistency has proved elusive for the title hopefuls this season as they have dropped points against lesser teams. For a time, it looked as though Hibs were facing a struggle to stay in contention but they have since put their title challenge back on track.

“Being first in the table is good for morale but the pattern of results this season shows that every game is difficult,” Woods said.

“It’s still early days but there is no denying that our match against Birkirkara is a direct clash with a team that have the same objectives as ours.”

Hibs midfielders Bjorn Kristensen and Udo Nwoko are suspended and defender Rodolfo Soares is out with a pulled hamstring.

On the plus side, Allan Kardeck and Ayrton Azzopardi are set to return after recovering from injuries.

Birkirkara coach Paul Zammit devoted most of his attention this week towards erasing the flaws that have cost his team dearly in their last three outings.

“We’re playing against one of the top teams but there is so much inconsistency in this championship that I’m only con-cerned about my team’s performance,” Zammit said.

“I don’t see this match as decisive but I’m pleased that we’re going to have a tough test. Hibs can be challengers for the title and they’re showing it. Our aim is to improve on consistency.”

Forwards Joselito and Shola Shodiya Haruna are still sidelined with injuries but regular goalkeeper Reuben Gauci and Ryan Camenzuli are in line to return for the Stripes.

First round: Hibs vs Birkirkara 0-1.

The other matches

Mosta vs Balzan (today at 2pm, National Stadium).

Mosta will be looking to consolidate their top-six position while Balzan hope to revive their own bid after back-to-back defeats.

Mosta must make do without Steve Bezzina, Firas Aboulezz and Jonathan Bajada, all injured, while striker Obinna Obiefule has been down with flu this week. Ryan Grech is back from suspension.

Balzan’s cause is not helped by a long list of absentees. Jamie Pace and Renato Conceicao must serve a one-match ban while Stefan Giglio, Martin Deanov and Renie Forace are ruled out by injuries.

First round: Mosta vs Balzan 0-0.

Tarxien Rainbows vs Floriana (tomorrow at 2pm, Hibs Stadium).

A win for fourth-placed Tarxien would all but assure them of a place in the Championship Pool while three points for the Greens would keep them in the hunt.

Carlo Mamo (groin) and Karl Pulo (cruciate) are out for Tarxien.

In other news, the Rainbows will release Brazilian midfielder Luiz Romulo De Castro in January while striker Danilo is also expected to play his last match for the team as he wants to return home.

Floriana coach Stephen Azzopardi has lost two foreigners, Aman Verma and Sunday Wasiu, and Clyde Borg is suspended.

Striker Ryan Darmanin is yet to recover from a hamstring injury.

First round: Tarxien vs Floriana 3-2.

Qormi vs Ħamrun (tomorrow at 4pm, Hibs Stadium).

This derby takes on added significance in light of the teams’ struggles of late.

The Spartans have suffered six consecutive defeats since beating Qormi 1-0 while the latter have lost their last two games.

Abubakar Bello-Osagie is suspended for Qormi and defender Roderick Sammut is still out with injury. Jonathan Bondin is poised for a recall after shaking off injury.

Wing-back Angel Yoshev is out for the Spartans while Gianluca Calabretta will have a late fitness test after hurting himself in training in midweek.

First round: Qormi vs Ħamrun 0-1.