Matchday 05: Valletta 1 Sliema W. 1
21/09/2025
A last-gasp strike from substitute Evandro preserved Valletta’s unbeaten streak in the YoHealth Malta Premier League after securing a 1-1 draw against Sliema Wanderers.
On the other hand, Sliema endured fresh heartache as, for the second time, their hard-earned advantage was wiped out by their opponents.
Paul Zammit opted for two changes from their 2-2 draw against Birkirkara, restoring Thiago Espindola and captain Steven Pisani to the starting line-up in lieu of Myles Beerman and Boubakary Diarra.
In contrast, Thane Micallef underlined his faith in the old football saying “never change a winning side” as he retained the same formation for the fourth consecutive match.
Both sides mirrored each other with a 3-5-2 setup, creating some intriguing personal duels – Adam Magri Overand against Thaylor on one flank, and Shaft Brewer squaring up with Espindola on the other.
Yet, despite both coaches’ instructions to exploit the flanks, the contest remained finely balanced, with midfield congestion dictating the early exchanges.
Valletta’s modus operandi often revolved around long punts towards Jefferson in a bid to unpick Sliema’s defence.
Rashid Al Tumi, formerly of Valletta, had to remain alert, and on 28 minutes he rushed off his line to beat the Brazilian striker to the ball, heading clear outside his box.
At the other end, Sulahmana Bah sought to unsettle Valletta with his pace and trickery, but after a promising solo run down the left, he found himself crowded out by three defenders.
Struggling to break through, the Blues resorted to long-range efforts.
In the 41st minute, Miguel Baggio unleashed a fierce drive that forced a smart save from Adilson.
The game opened up in the final stages of the half.
Jackson Mendonza sparked a quick counter only to be tackled from behind by Roko Prsa, but the loose ball fell kindly to Jefferson, who drove into the area. His diagonal shot, however, was well saved by Al Tumi.
Moments later, Vito Pluto pounced on a poor clearance from Steve Borg, but the Slovenian striker fired over the bar.
After the break, another piece of trickery from Bah brought him face to face with Adilson, but the Valletta goalkeeper was quick to read the Sliema striker’s intentions and closed him out before he could pull the trigger.
There was no denying the American striker moments later, however.
Sava Radic suffered a rare lapse of concentration, allowing Bah to bring the ball under control at the edge of the box. The forward veered in from the left to the centre before arrowing a screamer into the top corner of the net.
Buoyed by his goal, Bah continued to torment the Valletta defence with his darting runs, but this time Neil Micallef managed to close him down effectively.
On 72 minutes, Micallef, aware that the game was slipping out of his side’s grasp, threw caution to the wind, introducing three strikers at once – Andrei Ciolacu, Keyon Ewurum and Evandro.
His opposite number, Zammit, responded more cautiously, replacing Fernandinho with defender Gustavo Alcino and withdrawing Plut for Diarra, clearly with an intent of absorbing Valletta’s mounting pressure.
Three minutes from time, Evandro floated a short free-kick into the box. Thaylor’s volley struck Steve Pisani’s arm, but referee Ishmael Barbara waved away Valletta’s appeals for a penalty.
Yet, at the death, Valletta struck.
A desperate long punt into the area by Thaylor was aimed at Ciolacu, but as Alcino and Magri Overand converged on the Romanian striker, the Maltese winger inadvertently left Evandro unmarked at the far post.
The City substitute made no mistake, drilling the ball past Al Tumi to snatch the equaliser to the delight of the Valletta fans.
Source: Times of Malta
VALLETTA: A: dos Santos, S. Borg, B. Paiber, Y. Yankam (A. Zammit), S. Brewer JR, N. Micallef (K. Ewurum), Y. De Jesus Messias (J. Azzopardi), S. Radić, T. Aldama, J. De Assis (A. Ciolacu), J. Mendoza (E. Pinto Gomes)
SLIEMA W: R. Al Tumi, J. Borg, A. Magri Overend, V. Plut (B. Diarra), R. Prsa, S. Mamadu Bah, M. Henrique Freire Bernardo, S. Pisani, T. Espindola De Paula, J. Fernando Gomes Junior (G. Alcino), M. Baggio Cover.
Scorers: 61′ S. Mamadu Bah (S), 96′ E. Pinto Gomes (V)
Yellow Cards: S. Radic, Y. Yankam, E. Pinto Gomes (V), R. Al Tumi, J. Gomes Junior (S).
Referee: I. Barbara
