Matchday 11: Valletta 0 Zabbar S.P.

02/11/2025

Valletta’s unbeaten run in the YoHealth Malta Premier came to an abrupt end on Sunday when they slumped to a 2-0 defeat to Żabbar St Patrick at the Tony Bezzina Stadium.

Second-half goals from Vinicius Pavia and Brian Gambarte handed three crucial points for the struggling Żabbar, who have now moved up to eighth place in the standings on 10 points.

The win was also important for Żabbar coach Aniello Parisi, who was under pressure after the team’s recent struggles. However, their performance on Sunday was a clear sign that the players were fully behind their coach as they battled hard for the three points.

On the other hand, it was a day to forget for Valletta FC, who struggled to get going and struggled to create scoring chances.

The result left Valletta in second place in the standings on 22 points, level with Ħamrun Spartans and one behind leaders Floriana.

The first half turned out to be a cagey affair, with scoring chances few and far between.

Valletta were the better side early on but had to wait until the 24th minute to come close to an opener.

It was a slick move that saw Yuri Messias exchange the ball with Jefferson before picking up Yuri Yankam inside the area. The Malta midfielder quickly found Evandro Gomes, who saw his shot saved by goalkeeper Adilson Maringa. From the rebound, the fall fell to Yankam, who saw his shot cleared off the line by Vinicius Pavia.

Gradually, Żabbar St Patrick started to get more into the picture, and on the half-hour, Gambarte played in Mario Fontanella, but his cross-shot found no takers.

Two minutes later, Abu Dumbuya picked up a short clearance, but his fierce drive missed the Valletta goal.

Żabbar’s best chance came two minutes from the break, when Pedro Cejas won possession just outside the area, but his thumping drive flew over.

After the break, one expected Valletta to step up a gear, but they continued to struggle to create any openings.

They had to wait until the 71st minute to create a chance when substitute Andrea Zammit was picked on the edge of the area, but his shot was saved in two attempts by Jonathan Grech.

However, it was Żabbar who took the lead on 74 minutes when Gambarte played in the sprinting Vinicius who, after exchanging the ball with Dumbuya, fired the ball past Maringa to send the Żabbar fans into ecstasy.

Valletta’s response failed to arrive and it was Żabbar who clinched the points three minutes from time when Mendoza’s sloppy clearance was picked by Gambarte who a firm drive that had the better of goalkeeper Adilson to secure a crucial win for the Saints.

Source: Times of Malta

VALLETTA: A. dos Santos, S. Borg (A. Zammit), B. Paiber, Y. Yankam (K. Ewurum), S. Brewer JR, M. Mbende, N. Micallef, Y. Messias, E. Gomes (A. Ciolacu), J. De Assis, J. Mendoza.

ZABBAR S.P. J. Grech, A. Dumbuya (N. James Agius), P. Santiago Cejas (H. Tchaouna), B. Gambart, S. Jovancic, Z. Leonardi, V. De Paiva (T. E. Silva), R. Scicluna, M. Marques Barbosa da Rocha, J. Pisani, M. Fontanella (J. Micallef).