Third consecutive BOV Super Cup win for Valletta

Champions Valletta registered their third consecutive BOV Super Cup win as they beat U*BET FA Trophy winners Hibernians 3-1. This was also the tenth success for the Citizens in this competition.

They held the initiative throughout the ninety minutes, taking a comfortable three-goal lead although the Paolites narrowed the gap just before the break. In the second half, Valletta continued to dictate matters although they failed to increase the lead.

Valletta lacked the injured Jonathan Caruana and Denni Rocha dos Santos but Brazilian striker Leandro da Silva Almeida was making his debut for Mark Miller’s side. Hibs coach Michael Woods, on the other hand, could not count on Clayton Failla, Jonathan Pearson, Triston Caruana and Jean Paul Farrugia. However two new foreigners were in the Paolites’ squad – strikers John Nwoba and Anderson Mendes Ribeiro, who played for Mqabba and Hamrun Spartans respectively last season.

The two teams shared the exchanges in the early stages but on the 25th minute, the Citizens managed to take the lead when Michael Mifsud received a pass on the right and with a fierce shot, he beat goalkeeper Mario Muscat.

Six minutes later, Valletta doubled the score when Michael Mifsud received a through pass on the left and following a good run, he released the unmarked Leandro Almeida whose rising shot gave Muscat no chance.

On the 34th minute, Dyson Falzon scored the third goal as he flicked the ball past the Hibernians custodian after being served by Briffa.

Hibernians reduced the gap three minutes in added time thanks to a long-distance shot by Jackson Di Lima Siqueira which gave goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo no chance.

On 51 minutes, off a short freekick by Jackson Lima, Andrew Cohen’s rising shot was tipped into a corner by Bartolo. On the other side of the pitch, two shots by Michael Mifsud from the right were blocked by Mario Muscat. A freekick by William Barbosa ended just wide on 71 minutes.

A cross shot by Edward Herrera from the right almost surprised Manuel Bartolo on 79 minutes, hitting the bar but the ball was cleared into a corner by Ricardo. A minute later, substitute Anderson Mendes Ribeiro hit the crossbar with a header following a cross from the left by Pisani. Another substitute, Ian Zammit, had a shot from outside the area neutralised by Mario Muscat deep into stoppage time.

Photos courtesy of Bank of Valletta

[nggallery id=371]

VALLETTA Manuel Bartolo, Roderick Briffa, Ian Azzopardi (64′ Kevin Sammut), Steve Borg, Ricardo Barreto da Rocha, Joao Gabriel da Silva (83′ Edmond Agius), William Barbosa, Michael Mifsud, Leandro da Silva Almeida (84′ Ian Zammit), Dyson Falzon, Ryan Fenech.
Subs not used: Yenz Cini, Kurt Magro, Gilbert Agius.
Coach: Mark Miller
Asst. Coach: Gilbert Agius

HIBS Mario Muscat, Adrian Pulis (46′ Steve Pisani), Ryan Camilleri, Rodolfo Soares, Marcelo Dias (72′ Anderson Mendes Ribeiro), Andrew Cohen, Bjorn Kristensen, Edward Herrera, Jason Vandelannoite, Jackson di Lima Siqueira, John Nwoba (75′ Johann Bezzina).
Subs not used: Daniel Balzan, Ayrton Azzopardi, Brandon Muscat, Keith Tanti.
Coach: Michael Woods
Asst. Coach: Richard Mercieca

Referee: Paul Caruana
Assistant Referees: Konrad Borg, Chris Francalanza
Fourth Official: Malcolm Spiteri
Yellow Cards: Dias, Barbosa, Azzopardi
Scorers: 25’ Michael Mifsud, 31’ Leandro Almeida, 34’ Dyson Falzon; 45+3’ Jackson Lima Siqueira (H)
Attendance: 1,900