Boasting a star-studded squad, Valletta did justice to their reputation as the strongest team by retaining the league crown. They won it with something to spare but, throughout the season, the Whites had to draw on their experience and famed resilience to keep their bid on track. Kevin Azzopardi looks back on five key games that defined Valletta’s title success.
October 1, 2011
Mqabba vs Valletta - 2-4
The Times headline: Gallant Mqabba make City sweat
Still reeling from their heartbreaking 2-0 defeat to Hibs, Valletta were under increasing pressure to bounce back in what was, on paper, an easy match against newly-pro-moted side Mqabba.
To compound matters, the Citizens had three players suspended for this game after captain Gilbert Agius, Ryan Fenech and Steve Borg were sent off in the loss to Hibs which ended Valletta’s hopes of setting a new record of 38 league matches without defeat.
They couldn’t have hoped for a better start as, inside the first minute, Ousseni Zongo put Valletta ahead but Mqabba hit back to level matters through Marlon Briffa midway into the first half.
Valletta regained the lead through William Barbosa but, nine minutes before the end of the first half, Mqabba were back on level terms thanks to Bojan Mamic’s well-hit free-kick.
Their erratic performance in the first half did little to lift the confidence of the fans, many of whom shunned this match after the upset to Hibs.
They had to wait until 22 minutes into the second half to edge in front, Barbosa heading home from Dyson Falzon’s free-kick.
Short of defenders, Valletta suffered another blow when Jonathan Caruana had to leave the field after picking up an injury, prompting coach Jesmond Zerafa to switch Jamie Pace to centre-half.
It was only late in the match that Valletta could breathe more easily after Denni sealed their win with a fourth goal two minutes from time.
October 23, 2011
Floriana vs Valletta - 0-1
The Times headline: Barbosa gives City derby joy
Valletta were four points behind Hibs going into their first derby with Floriana. For all the hype, the match was a dour encounter with little goalmouth action but Valletta did enough to grind out a 1-0 win and maintain the pres-sure on the erstwhile unbeaten Paolites.
With Floriana hit by an early double-blow after Christian Caruana and Tyrone Farrugia had to be substituted in the opening 35 minutes after suffering injuries, Valletta were widely expected to dominate but, despite enjoying the initiative for long spells, poor finishing undid their efforts.
In the end, William Barbosa’s clinical strike on 31 minutes decided the match as Valletta prevailed 1-0 but this being a derby, the win boosted the spirits of the City fans and also gave the players an injection of confidence.
January 7, 2012
Hibernians vs Valletta - 1-1
The Times headline: Veterans shine in top clash
After the Christmas break, the highlight of the first programme of 2012 was the clash bet-ween front-runners Valletta and Hibs.
By the time the two rivals met again, Valletta had stormed to the top of the table, opening up a six-point lead over Hibs. Nevertheless, this fixture was still viewed as a top clash, also in light of the growing rivalry between the two clubs.
When Rodolfo Soares headed Hibs ahead after just four minutes, memories of their first-round reverse came rushing back for the Valletta fans.
Their fears receded when, on the half-hour, Michael Mifsud was on hand to poke the ball past Mario Muscat after Jonathan Caruana had guided Denni’s cross into the Malta captain’s path.
Valletta were in ascendancy thereafter but failed to make their superior possession count despite creating a string of chances.
Their wastefulness almost came back to haunt them in the dying stages when Steve Borg was adjudged to have wrestled Tarabai to the ground as Hibs broke on the counter.
The Paolites claimed the foul had occurred in the box but, to the evident relief of the Valletta players and fans, referee Mario Apap deemed otherwise and awarded Hibs a free-kick which came to nothing.
It was a close shave for Valletta who had had several chances to get the winner.
March 24, 2012
Sliema W. vs Valletta - 0-2
The Times headline: City breach Bonello’s resistance to go three points clear
Valletta’s meeting with Sliema Wanderers in the first round of the Championship Pool took on added importance for various reasons.
Their 1-1 draw with Birkirkara the previous week had enabled Hibs to join Valletta at the top on 32 points. An added headache for Valletta was posed by the unavailability of three first-choice Maltese players, Roderick Briffa and Edmond Agius, suspended, and Michael Mifsud, injured.
Their absence diluted the ‘homegrown’ options for Zerafa, who restored Terrence Scerri, still short of match fitness after a long absence, to the starting line-up.
Before the game, Valletta’s optimism grew as Hibs’ slip-up against Birkirkara meant that a win over Sliema would restore the Citizens’ three-point lead at the top.
In the dying stages of a first half in which they had looked short of flair and punch up front, Valletta looked to have received a boost in the shape of a penalty but Barbosa’s spot-kick was kept out by Henry Bonello, the Sliema goalkeeper.
The opening period ended goalless and, on the hour, Zerafa introduced Aleksandrs Cekulajevs for Zongo and switched to 4-4-2. The changes paid off instantly as, five minutes after his arrival, Cekulajevs scored from close range after the brilliant Bonello had tipped away Denni’s shot.
Valletta held on to their slim lead before sealing their win with a second goal in stoppage time, Barbosa atoning for his penalty miss when scoring with an angled drive after exchanging passes with Gilbert Agius.
April 7, 2012
Hibernians vs Valletta - 2-3
The Times headline: City roar back to turn tables on Hibs
With only three points separating Valletta and Hibs, this match was to have a huge bearing on the title outcome. Valletta knew that a win would take them within sight of the league title but a defeat would keep the race wide open.
It was Hibs who enjoyed the brighter start, taking a 23rd-minute lead through Luis Edison ‘Tarabai’ who rammed the ball past Andrew Hogg after being put through by Andrew Cohen.
Already handicapped by the absence of Steve Borg, suspended, Valletta’s defensive problems increased when Ian Azzopardi, who was filling in for Borg, came off with an eye injury only a minute after Hibs had opened the scoring.
Zerafa’s response was to move Barbosa, an attacking midfielder, to centre-half.
The Citizens took time to regain their composure, but six minutes from half-time, captain Gilbert Agius conjured up a fine equaliser, glancing the ball home from Denni’s corner.
Agius didn’t reappear for the second half due to a hamstring problem but Scerri, his replacement, had a towering impact on City’s attack.
It was Scerri’s cross that led Aaron Xuereb to bring down Denni in the box with Barbosa putting away the ensuing penalty.
Briffa made it 3-1 for Valletta 10 minutes from time before Clayton Failla pulled one back from a penalty.
Keeper Hogg was sent off in stoppage time but the final whistle arrived soon after, much to the delight of the Valletta clan.