Leaders Birkirkara stay two points ahead of Valletta after the two teams shared the spoils in a goalless draw in this weekend’s big match. A draw which leaves a status quo with five more games to play for each team.
Birkirkara held the initiative during the first half with the Citizens seeming more concerned on defending. After the break, Valletta improved but the Yellows still had an edge over their opponents.
The Stripes had the first attempt at goal on the 20th when a cross by Jhonnattann from the right, following a short freekick by Shodiya, was partially saved by Revishvili with the ball cleared into safety with particular difficulty.
Birkirkara appealed for a penalty on the 27th when Shola Shodiya beat Steve Borg on the run, ending on the ground inside the area but the referee waved play on.
Georgian goalkeeper Nukri Revishvili turned into a corner a good attempt by Shodiya and six minutes from the end of the first half, the Nigerian midfielder’s close range header ended just over the bar.
On the hour, Valletta went close with a freekick from the right by Shaun Bajada which was neutralised by Haber.
In the remaining minutes, shots at goal were quite rare with the two goalkeepers hardly tested.
Photo: Copyright © Paul Zammit Cutajar
VALLETTA Nukri Revishvili, Jonathan Caruana, Steve Borg, Edmond Agius, Ryan Fenech (57′ Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza), Roderick Briffa, Oscar Reyes Sanchez, Lateef Elford Alliyu (57′ Hamza Barry), Alan da Silva Souza, Shaun Bajada, Irakli Maisuradze.
Subs not used: Yenz Cini, Luke Montebello, Llywelyn Cremona, Dario Tabone, Luke Dimech.
Coach: Andre PausB’KARA Justin Haber, Zach Muscat, Nikola Vukanac, Alejandro Mendoza Corujo, Joseph Zerafa, Gareth Sciberras, Paul Fenech, Haruna Shola Shodiya (85′ Ronaille Calheira Seara), Edward Herrera, Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao (90′ Kurt Zammit), Frank Temile (80′ Ryan Camenzuli).
Subs not used: Reuben Gauci, Daniel Zerafa, Rowen Muscat, Terence Vella.
Coach: Paul ZammitReferee: Alan Mario Sant
Assistant Referees: Mitchell Scerri, Duncan Sultana
Additional Assistant Referees: Fyodor Zammit, Philip Farrugia
Fourth Official: Mario Apap
Yellow Cards: Alan, Herrera, Agius
BOV Player of the Match: Haruna Shola Shodiya
Attendance: 5,551