Day 18 Valletta 0 Sliema W. 0 Published on: 28-01-2012

Sliema Wanderers made amends for their 5-2 defeat to Valletta in the FA Trophy as they held the champions to a goalless draw in a league match this evening.

The Blues showed excellent tactical organisation and fighting spirit to take a point off the leaders who missed the chance to open a nine-point lead over Hibs at the top.

Argentine midfielder Nahuel Pulitano Jimenez made his first appearance for Valletta while Slovenian striker Miha Robic, another new addition to the Citizens’ squad, was among the substitutes.

It was Valletta who started on the attack. After four minutes, Roderick Briffa advanced on the right wing and crossed for Michael Mifsud who volleyed high.

Pouncing on a mistake in the Sliema defence, Mifsud ran into the box but his diagonal effort flashed against the side-netting.

Jimenez, who played alongside Edmond Agius in central midfield, hit wide with a curling shot.

Valletta continued to dominate possession but the unyielding Blues kept their shape to deny their opponents space. Close to the half-hour Valletta went close when Ian Azzopardi put in a teasing cross into the box and Denni evaded his marker but his effort was pushed away by Henry Bonello, the Sliema goalkeeper.

On another occasion, Jimenez’s floated pass into the box was met by Mifsud whose shot on the turn finished wide. Sliema tried to pose Valletta problems on the counter but their efforts were easily neutralised by the Valletta defenders.

Jimenez, running into the Sliema box, had a good chance to mark his debut with a goal but he mishit his effort from Briffa’s cross.

Effiong flicked wide after reaching Jimenez’s short pass seven minutes from half-time.

There were no changes in the two teams at the start of the second period. After 12 minutes, Emiliano Lattes’s corner from the left was met by Josef Mifsud who headed over.

Midway into the second half, William Barbosa and Gilbert Agius came on for Effiong and Jimenez respectively.

Barbosa looked to have made an instant impact as, with 20 minutes remaining, the Brazilian won his team a penalty after he looked to have been tripped by Galabov inside the box. Mifsud grabbed the ball to take the penalty but his effort was saved by Bonello.

The penalty miss undermined Valletta who struggled to regain their fluency. With seven minutes left, it was Sliema who threatened but Ani’s long-range shot ended just over the bar.

In the dying stages, Zongo’s curling effort was easily saved by Bonello who was named BOV player of the match.

Source: timesofmalta.com

VALLETTA - A. Hogg, R. Briffa, E. Agius, D. Dos Santos (M. Robic), J. Caruana, I. Azzopardi, O. Zongo A. Effiong (W. Barbosa), S. Borg, M. Mifsud, N. Jimenez (G. Agius).

SLIEMA W. -  H. Bonello, J. Mifsud, A. Muscat, C. Gatt Baldacchino, R. Grech (D. Vukovic), R. Galabov, J. Ani (J.P. Mifsud Triganza), R. Bajada, E. Lattes, C. Frendo, B. Muscat.

BOV Premier League
Date: 28-01-12     Time: 16:00    Venue: National Stadium

Yellow Cards:  C. Frendo, C. Gatt Baldacchino

Man of Match: Henry Bonello (S)

Referee: Clayton Pisani