Valletta 1
Briffa 52;
Marsaxlokk 0
Valletta are the new aristocrats of Maltese football.
The impassioned roar with which the fervent City supporters embraced the final whistle yesterday epitomised their feelings of joy and relief as a 1-0 victory over Marsaxlokk sealed Valletta’s title triumph with three games to spare.
Nine points clear but with a match in hand on neighbouring rivals Floriana, Valletta needed one point from their skirmish with Marsaxlokk to capture their 20th league championship but the indomitable City refused to settle for a draw.
Roderick Briffa, one of Valletta’s most influential performers this season, struck the all-important goal that delivered the much-craved title and kept the Citizens on course to complete their league campaign without a defeat.
It had been a cagey affair as Marsaxlokk battled bravely to try and put the brakes on the City juggernaut in order to strengthen their own Europa League bid.
Despite not putting on vintage football, Valletta were solid at the back and the technical excellence of their midfielders swayed the game in their favour as Ryan Fenech and Briffa combined to conjure up the winning goal early in the second half.
And the City fans loved it. As referee Clayton Pisani brought the hostilities to an end, the vociferous Valletta faithful stepped up their celebrations as the jubilant players and club officials joined in the fun.
The delirious Valletta players saluted the fans in the Millennium Stand before marching towards the massed ranks of supporters in the enclosure, unfurling a streamer reading ‘We are the champions’.
“I’m lost for words,” coach Jesmond Zerafa, who guided Valletta to the Premier League title in his first season in charge, said after the match.
“We deserved to win the title and we’re very happy. It’s been a collective effort... the players, committee and fans have all contributed to this success.”
The hordes of City supporters created a vibrant atmosphere as kick-off approached. Thrilled by the prospect of seeing their team wrap up the title, thousands of flag-waving fans made their way to Ta’ Qali for this match.
Their joy de vivre was further enhanced by the failure of rivals and outgoing champions Birkirkara to overcome Ħamrun Spartans in yesterday’s curtain-raiser.
As the supporters raised the volume, some of the merry-makers hoisted a giant flag bearing the portrait of club president Victor Sciriha amid chants of ‘X’riħa ta’ tazzi’ (What a smell of trophies).
Captain Gilbert Agius was preferred to Jamie Pace in the only change in Valletta’s initial XI from the 5-0 drubbing of Ħamrun Spartans.
Coach Zerafa opted for an all-Brazilian attack as Denni operated behind Andrade while Agius was also restored to his favoured station at the tip of Valletta’s midfield.
Marsaxlokk coach Patrick Curmi made two changes from the 1-1 draw with Floriana as Peter Pullicino stepped into the boots of the absent Trevor Templeman and Clive Brincat replaced Ryan Darmanin.
The choice of a defender ahead of a forward was motivated by Curmi’s decision to employ Rumen Galabov in central midfield as Martin Deanov played just behind Alfred Effiong in attack in a 4-4-1-1 formation.
Valletta were the more enterprising side early on but Marsaxlokk delivered an early warning of their counter-attacking threat when Gareth Sciberras headed the ball to Effiong who had surged into the box. The Nigerian’s cross-cum-shot was blocked by Andrew Hogg.
The City goalkeeper came to his team’s rescue again five minutes later. Showing excellent reflexes, Hogg quickly dived to his right to smother away Effiong’s goalbound strike after the Nigerian had outpaced Ramon as he chased a long pass from midfield.
The burden of expectation weighed heavily on Valletta’s shoulders in the early stages as the champions-elect struggled to hit their stride.
Midway into the first half, Ryan Fenech tried to breathe life into his team’s attacking play with a surging run down the left. His centre was deflected into the path of Gilbert Agius but the latter poked the ball wide.
With the Marsaxlokk players running all over the pitch to stymie the supply to Valletta’s forwards and nullify their opponents’ flair in midfield, the leaders were unable to gain a grip on the game.
The Blues relied mostly on vertical balls to the speedy Effiong to try and unlock Valletta’s defence but, apart from those two early opportunities, the Nigerian was ably marshalled by Ramon.
Four minutes into the second half, Marsaxlokk fashioned a good move as Pullicino’s floated through-ball flew over a posse of City defenders and into the path of Effiong who turned swiftly but Ian Azzopardi ran across the face of goal to intercept the Nigerian.
This episode only served to refocus the Valletta players’ minds. They had a glorious chance to put their noses in front when Fenech sped into the box from the right and crossed for Denni who stooped to unleash an acrobatic volley that glanced off Malcolm Licari.
It was not long before Valletta seized the lead. The second half was only seven minutes old when Fenech embarked on another dazzling run on the right before he guided a through-pass to Roderick Briffa who dinked the ball over the on-rushing Reuben Gauci. An exquisite finish.
Marsaxlokk tried to mount an instant reaction. They came close to an equaliser when Deanov’s low cross squirmed into the path of Effiong at the far post but the latter flicked wide.
With 20 minutes remaining, Andrade, picking the ball deep in his own half, set off on a jinking run that took him past several blue-shirted players and into the box but his concluding effort rolled inches wide of the far post.
Fifteen minutes from time, Valletta should have rubber-stamped their win when Briffa bore down on goal through the middle before releasing Fenech on the left but the latter’s grounder hit the base of the far post.
At the other end, Ryan Darmanin, who had come on for Pullicino, got behind the Valletta defence as he fastened onto a through-ball but Hogg rushed out of goal to snuff out the danger and ensure that the newly-crowned champions clinched the title in style.
Valletta
A. Hogg-7, S. Borg-6, J. Caruana-6, I. Azzopardi-7, Ramon-6.5, R. Briffa-7.5, E. Agius-6, G. Agius-6, Denni-5 (76 O. Temile), R. Fenech-7.5 (87 J. Pace), Andrade-6.5 (79 T. Scerri).
Marsaxlokk
R. Gauci-5, M. Licari-6, C. Mamo-5 (87 G. Caruana), C. Brincat-6, E. Yantchev-6.5, P. Pullicino-5 (59 R. Darmanin-5), F. Raimy-6, R. Galabov-6.5, G. Sciberras-6, M. Deanov-6.5, A. Effiong-6.
Referee: Clayton Pisani.
Yellow cards: Licari; Azzopardi; Mamo; Pullicino; G. Agius; Ramon; Brincat.
BOV player of the match: Roderick Briffa (Valletta).
Attendance: 3,876.