Hibernians, Valletta share spoils in goalless draw

Champions Hibernians and leaders Valletta shared the spoils in a goalless clash in the weekend’s big match from the BOV Premier League at the National Stadium on Sunday.

A draw which puts Valletta two points ahead of second-placed duo Balzan and Gzira United, leaving the Paolites in sixth place on 18 points, two behind Floriana and Sliema.

The Citizens had a goal disallowed on the 11th minute for an offside following a short clearance by the Hibs defence, off a freekick by Denni, from which Raed Ibrahim Saleh placed the ball at the back of the net.

They created the better chances and Hibs goalkeeper Andrew Hogg performed good saves on Matteo Piciollo and then on Steve Boerg and Kyrian Nwoko. Eleven minutes in the second half, Valletta were reduced to ten men after Joseph Zerafa was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.

Photo: Copyright © Andrew Grima

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HIBS Andrew Hogg, Bjorn Kristensen (46′ Marco Antonio Morgon Filho), Jurgen Degabriele, Dunstan Vella, Rodolfo Soares, Marcelo Dias, Clayton Failla (79′ Martin Kreuzriegler), Jackson Lima, Johann Bezzina, Andrei Agius, Marco Sahanek (71′ Jorge Elias Dos Santos).
Coach: Mark Miller

VALLETTA Henry Bonello, Steve Borg, Ryan Camilleri, Juan Cruz Gill, Santiago Malano, Matteo Piciollo (75′ Michael Mifsud), Kyrian Nwoko (86′ Rowen Muscat), Jean Borg, Joseph Zerafa, Raed Ibrahim Saleh, Denni Rocha Dos Santos (63′ Claudio Pani).
Coach: Zoran Popovic

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri
Assitant Referees: Duncan Sultana, Thomas Debono
Additional Assistant Referees: Alan Mario Sant, Etienne Mangion
Fourth Official: Roberto Vella
Yellow Cards: Gill, Zerafa, Borg, Bonello, Dias, Agius, Bezzina, Marquinho
BOV Player of the Match: Ibrahim Raed Saleh (V)
Attendance: 2,087