Valletta striker Jefferson de Assis (centre) charges forward against Ħamrun Spartans. Photo: Domenic Aquilina
ĦAMRUN SPARTANS 1
Hadzi 36
VALLETTA 1
Messias 12
ĦAMRUN SPARTANS
H. Bonello, R. Compri, D. Letherby (80 D. Simkus), M. Garcia, J. Mbong (46 S. Thioune), V. Polito, A. Coric, M. Hadzi (62 S. Attard), E. Marcelina (46 S. Xerri), R. Camenzuli, V. Meijer Stijner (62 N. Koffi).
VALLETTA
Adilson, S. Borg, B. Paiber (86 R. Muscat), Y. Yankam (70 J. Azzopardi), K. Brewer, N. Micallef, Y. Messias (77 A. Zammit), S. Radic, T. Aldama, Jefferson, J. Mendoza.
Referee: Matthew De Gabriele.
Yellow cards Xerri, Koffi.
Ħamrun Spartans are still in search of their first win in the YoHealth Malta Premier as they were held to a 1-1 draw by fierce rivals Valletta at the National Stadium.
It was a fair outcome to a match that saw the Citizens battle hard throughout the 90 minutes as their aggressive approach made life difficult for the Spartans.
The Spartans were rattled after conceding an early goal, courtesy of a Yuri Messias humdinger.
But the Malta champions fought back and managed to level matters when punishing their opponents for a poor defensive play.
From then on, the Spartans grew in stature but still struggled to create clear-cut chances.
It was Valletta who almost won it late on when Bonello denied Jefferson from close in as both teams had to settle with a point.
Valletta coach Thane Micallef handed a first start to Brazilian striker Jefferson who led their forward line with Yuri Messias operating just behind his compatriot.
On their part, the Spartans made a few changes from the team that played in the UEFA Conference League as Daniel Letherby, Matias Garcia, Ante Coric and Merlin Hadzi were all handed a start, while Dutch forward Valentijn Steijner made his full debut for the club.
Valletta made a bright start, and after eight minutes, Yuri Messias hit a thumping drive that was deflected to a corner.
From the ensuing corner-kick, taken by Paiber, Sava Radic saw his dipping header finish wide off the upright.
The Citizens’ brisk start was rewarded on 11 minutes when they were awarded a central free-kick.
Messias stepped up and hit a thumping drive that flew into the roof of the net off the underside of the bar with Bonello completely caught by surprise.
Ħamrun looked rattled, and three minutes later they almost drew level.
Ryan Camenzuli’s cross into the far post was met by Merlin Hadzi, and his headed effort beat Adilson but not Steve Borg, who cleared off the line.
From then on, the match lost much of its intensity with scoring chances few and far between.
The Spartans came to life just past the half-hour mark when Steijner first saw his angled header finish just wide.
But from the resultant goal kick, taken by Adilson towards Steve Borg, saw the veteran defender’s pass not controlled by Jackson Mendoza, and in came Hadzi who fired home.
The last opportunity of the half came Valletta’s way. A mintue before stoppage time, Messias picked Thaylor Aldama whose thumping volley flashed wide.
After the break, Modica replaced Emerson Marcelina and Joseph Mbong with Sven Xerri and Saliou Thioune.
Just past the hour mark, the Spartans won a central free-kick, and Coric’s effort flew just over the bar.
On 63 minutes, Shaisen Attard, who had just replaced Hadzi, almost made an instant impact when his low drive was pushed away by Adilson.
At the other end, Jackson Mendoza’s fierce drive was blocked by Bonello.
Seventeen minutes from time, Adilson had to be alert to block Daniel Letherby’s effort.
Valletta had a great chance ten minutes from time when Thaylor Aldama was put in space but his shot was providentially blocked by Camenzuli.
Both teams were struggling to keep up their intensity as scoring chances were rare.
But just before the final whistle, Valletta had a golden chance to win it.
From a Rowen Muscat free-kick, Radic nodded the ball inside the small box and Jefferson was denied by Bonello as the stalemate prevailed.
