Denni (right) scored a brace in Valletta’s 4-1 win over Rabat Ajax. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Rabat Ajax 1
Avila Perez 76;
Valletta 4
Denni 11, 65; Agius 81; Nafti 90;

Denni Rocha Dos Santos gave a timely reminder of his importance to Valletta’s cause as the Brazilian striker yesterday marked his return to the starting XI with a brace that put the team on their way to a comfortable victory over bottom-placed Rabat Ajax.

Denni, who had come off the bench to inspire City to a 2-1 comeback win over Vittoriosa Stars in their previous match, again made a decisive contribution when he netted two fine goals to put Valletta in the driving seat against a gallant Rabat team.

Rabat pulled a goal back when trailing 2-0 late on but any Valletta nerves were eased as goals from Edmond Agius and Abdelkarim Nafti sealed a third successive victory and lifted Mark Miller’s team to just one point behind leaders Hibs who face Floriana today.

Miller opted to make three changes to his starting line-up as Denni was drafted in the team at the expense of his Brazilian compatriot Romulo Antoneli. Roderick Briffa and Luke Dimech were also back with Yessous Camilleri and Jason Lee Vandelannoite missing out.

Steve D’Amato, the Rabat coach, kept faith with the same players that starred in last week’s 1-0 win over Tarxien Rainbows.

As expected, it was Valletta who took the initiative. On seven minutes, Denni released Aziz Corr Nyang on the right and the winger quickly picked out Nafti at the far post but the Tunisian’s shot finished just wide.

At the other end, Rabat launched a quick raid with Moises Avila Perez transferring the ball towards the sprinting Diego Carrillo Pendas but the latter was denied by the alert Yenz Cini.

Valletta forged ahead on 11 minutes when Nafti sent a precise cross towards Denni who showed great composure to hammer his volley into the net.

Five minutes later, the Citizens almost doubled their lead when Ryan Fenech sped past his marker but his fierce drive was pushed away by Pavle Velimirovic, the Rabat goalkeeper.

Miller were forced to make his first change on 26 minutes when Hamza Barry pulled out injured. His void was filled by Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza.

Avila Perez should have pulled Rabat level but the forward was denied by the alert Cini.

Valletta remained the better side but, for all their possession, they were finding it tough to penetrate the Rabat defence.

It was the Magpies who threatened again two minutes from the break when they were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area but Pelaez’s shot flashed past the upright.

At the other end, Valletta threatened from another set-piece. This time Shaun Bajada’s shot was turned away by Velimirovic.

Rabat made a bright start to the second half. Carrillo Pendas raced past Dimech but his effort flew over.

At the other end, Nafti crossed for the unmarked Briffa inside the area but his header finished wide.

The Citizens were in desperate need of a moment of brilliance to settle the match. That duly arrived on 65 minutes when Denni picked possession some 20 metres out and let fly a rasping drive that flew into the net.

The goal hit Rabat hard and Valletta almost made it 3-0 when Mifsud Triganza produced a firm drive that was kept out by Velimirovic.

The former Birkirkara striker went close again two minutes later with a long-range shot that finished wide and a minute later Nafti showed great skill to hit an exquisite lob that also failed to reach target.

Rabat refused to throw in the towel and on 76 minutes they halved the deficit. Jonathan Bajada sent a dangerous low cross towards Avila Perez and the Spanish striker stabbed the ball past the diving Cini.

The goal gave a huge tonic to Rabat who almost drew level soon after when Adam Smeir’s shot took a deflection off Briffa but Cini was on the right spot to keep the ball out.

Valletta regrouped and soon Rabat’s hopes of a shock result were dashed. Nine minutes from time Agius sped into the area, turned past a defender before slotting the ball home.

The Citizens sealed the points in time added-on when substitute Ian Zammit delivered an inviting ball towards Nafti who headed past Velimirovic.

Rabat Ajax
P. Velimirovic-5, S. Gauci-5, D. Azzopardi-5.5, I. Carapic-5.5, D. Falzon-5.5, C. Gauci-6, J. Bajada-6 (86 A. Azzopardi), D. Pelaez-6 (83 Z. Tanti), D. Carrillo Pendas-6.5 (75 M. Licari), M. Avila Perez-6, A. Smeir-6.

Valletta
Y. Cini-6.5, J. Caruana-6, R. Fenech-6, E. Agius-7, R. Briffa-6, H. Barry (26 J.P. Mifsud Triganza-7), A. Nyang-6 (83 I. Zammit), S. Bajada-6 (85 L. Cremona), Denni-8, A. Nafti-6, L. Dimech-6.5.

Referee: Fyodor Zammit.

Yellow cards: Dimech; Agius; Gauci.

BOV player of the match: Denni (Valletta).