Sliema Wanderers 0
Valletta 0
Champions Valletta failed to make maximum profit from Hibernians’ slip-up to Birkirkara earlier in the day as the Citizens were held to a goalless draw by a stubborn Sliema Wanderers side yesterday.
No doubt, the result was disappointing for the team of the capital who, after seeing Hibs slump to a 1-0 defeat, had the chance to go three points clear at the top with a win over Sliema.
But, the Blues had other ideas yesterday as they put on a stirring display.
Alfonso Greco’s troops withstood everything the Citizens threw at them to salvage a precious point that not only extended their unbeaten start in this season’s Championship Pool but, more importantly, kept them on course for a European berth as they are fourth in the table, two points adrift of Birkirkara.
For Valletta, yesterday’s draw lifted them one point clear of Hibs and two ahead of Birkirkara but no doubt, coach Mark Miller will hope his players show more clinical finishing after they spurned a host of chances against Sliema.
Miller made two alterations to his starting formation from the 5-0 mauling of Mosta.
Brazilian livewire Denni was back in City’s initial formation as Nigerian striker Abubakar Bello-Osagie, who picked up a knock in the last outing, was only fit enough to start on the bench.
Belgian defender Jason Vandelannoite was also handed a recall as Brazilian midfielder Gabriel was missing from the team’s 18-man squad.
Greco was forced to make one change from the team that surprised Birkirkara last week as chief striker Ivan Woods was out with a one-match ban. He was replaced by Ivan Zammit who was given the nod to face his former club.
It was Valletta who seized the initiative early on. After only three minutes, Michael Mifsud picked out Denni on the edge of the area and the Brazilian midfielder hit a fierce low drive that skimmed the upright.
City failed to maintain that early momentum as they looked rusty in their distribution of the ball and struggled to create any danger to Glenn Zammit, the Sliema goalkeeper.
Valletta finally threatened on 23 minutes when they were awarded a free-kick on the left channel.
Ryan Fenech’s inswinger was met by Vandelannoitte whose close-range header was somehow kept out by Zammit.
Four minutes later, Valletta were again dangerous from another set-piece situation when Mifsud served Fenech inside the area but the City midfielder’s shot was blocked by the alert Luca Martinelli.
Manuel Bartolo, the Valletta goalkeeper, was finally called into action on the half-hour when he dived to his right to push away Paltemio Barbetti’s low drive.
Sliema had an even better chance nine minutes from the break when Matias Muchardi sped clear inside the area before pulling the ball towards the unmarked Zammit but in came William Barbosa to deny the Sliema striker when he was about to pull the trigger.
At the other end, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino was providential in clearing the ball off the line after Fenech’s cross from a corner had flown dangerously across the face of goal.
Valletta’s best chance of the half came five minutes from the break when, from a Barbosa free-kick, the ball fell into the path of Mifsud who, despite having ample space, incredibly shot straight into the hands of Zammit.
Sliema began the second half brightly. On 52 minutes, Nigerian Stanley Ohawuchi raced clear but his curling drive finished just over.
Valletta responded a minute later when Denni delivered a cross towards Barbosa who headed just wide.
On 57 minutes, Mifsud crossed for Vandelannoite inside the area but the Belgian saw his scissors-kick finish just wide.
At this stage, Miller brought on some fresh legs when he withdrew Denni in favour of Daniel Bogdanovic.
On 64 minutes, the woodwork denied the Citizens an opener when Vandelannoite’s shot was deflected into the path of Fenech whose fierce volley came off the crossbar before finishing over.
Valletta continued to pile up the pressure. Twelve minutes from time, Zammit came to his side’s rescue when he dived full stretch to intercept Fenech’s cross towards Bogdanovic who was unmarked.
In the closing stages, it was all Valletta. Six minutes from time, Zammit did well to palm away Fenech’s cross-shot as Sliema held on to take a point off the Citizens for the second time this season.
Sliema Wanderers
G. Zammit-7, A. Muscat-5.5 (89 J. Mintoff), L. Martinelli-6.5, S. Ohawuchi-5.5 (90 J. Mifsud), P. Barbetti-7.5, M. Scerri-6, I. Zammit-5, C. Gatt Baldacchino-6.5, S. Bajada-6 (79 B. Muscat), S. Muchardi-6, S. Bianciardi-6.
Valletta
M. Bartolo-6, R. Briffa-6, I. Azzopardi-6 (81 J. Ogunnuppe), L. Dimech-6, J. Caruana-6, J. Vandelannoitte-6.5, W. Barbosa-6, R. Fenech-7.5, Denni-6 (57 D. Bogdanovic-5.5), D. Toure-5.5, M. Mifsud-6.
Referee: Clayton Pisani.
Yellow cards: Scerri; Barbosa; Ogunnuppe.
BOV player of the match: Paltemio Barbetti (Sliema).