Matchday 09: Valletta 1 Hibernains 0
25/10/2025
Valletta extended their unbeaten record as they registered a fourth successive win, beating Hibernians 1-0.
The Citizens had an edge over their opponents during the first half, taking the lead towards the end.
In the second half, the Paolites tried hard to notch the equaliser but they were unable to penetrate the Valletta rear-guard.
For Hibernians, this was a third consecutive defeat after losing to Ħamrun Spartans and Floriana in their previous two league matches.
Valletta coach Thane Micallef opted for two changes from the team which defeated Naxxar Lions as Jake Azzopardi and Evandro Gomes made way for Yannick Yankam and Shaft Brewer.
Hibernians, on the other hand, preferred Miullen and Pedro Cacho over Ayrton Attard and Cleiton.
The Citizens had the first attempt at goal on eight minutes when off a cross by Jackson Mendoza, Jefferson managed to head the ball in the direction of Yuri Messias whose first-time effort hit the crossbar.
Three minutes later, a foul by Thaylor on Pablo Alves just in front of the Hibernians bench led to a clash between the two sets of players with four players and two officials ending up being cautioned.
Hibernians replied with a good move as Bjorn Kristensen sent Miullen through on the left and the latter entered the area but his conclusion hit the side netting on 17 minutes.
Six minutes later, Valletta went close with a cross from the left by Yankam with Yuri’s effort blocked into a corner by Charleston.
Valletta managed to take the lead on 38 minutes. Sava Radic sent Aldama through and the latter lobbed the ball over goalkeeper Hugo Sacco who had rushed to the edge of the area. Despite being surrounded by Xuereb and Pedrao, Aldama placed it into the back of the net from close range.
On 41 minutes, Mailson Lima delivered a free kick from the left for Hibernians and following a short clearance the ball reached Charleston, whose fine volley from the edge ended wide.
Two minutes later, Valletta threatened once again with a cross by Thaylor from the right which was blocked by Jefferson with the ball reaching the same winger who hit high from an angled position.
Three minutes in the second half, Lucas Villela tested goalkeeper Adilson Maringa with a shot from the right. The Brazilian goalkeeper saved a free kick by Pedro Cacho five minutes later.
Hibernians were creating the better chances and Lucas Villela had a free kick ending just wide on 70 minutes and seven minutes later, Duane Bonnici just failed to connect off an inviting cross by Cleiton from the right.
The Valletta goalkeeper then performed a good save on a Lucas Caruana corner from the left on 83 minutes with the same player hitting high off a free kick from outside the area three minutes later as the Citizens held on for the win.
Source: Times of Malta
VALLETTA: A. dos Santos, B. Paiber (R. Muscat), Y. Yankam, S. Brewer JR, M. Emmanuel Mbende, N. Micallef, Y. De Jesus Messia (J. Azzopardi), S. Radić, T. Aldama (E. Pinto Gomes), J. De Assis (A. Ciolacu), J. Mendoza Usuga.
HIBERNIANS: Hugo Sacco, Lucas Villela Iapert, Miullen Natha Felicio Carvalho, Bjorn Kristensen, João Victor De Souza Teixeira, Dexter Xuereb (L. Caruana), Pablo Alves De Lima (D. Bonnici), Pedro Augusto Cacho Alves Da Silva (C. Padilha), Pedro Henrique Nunes Silva, Mailson Lima Duarte Lopes (A. Silas), Charleston Silva Dos Santos
Scorers: 37′ T. Aldama
Yellow Cards: B. Paiber, S. Brewer, E. Mbende, N. Micallef, T. Aldama (V), L. Lapert, M. Carvalho, B. Kristensen, P. Alves De Silva, M. Lopes, C. Padilha (H).
Referee: S. Petrovic
