Valletta and Hamrun play goalless stalemate
There was nothing to celebrate about this 0-0 draw between old rivals Valletta and Hamrun Spartans although the latter may see more good in a point than their opponents.
Perhaps Valletta are not yet as clinical as they would like to be, and need to be more ruthless, having failed to score in two consecutive matches now.
In the first half you could tell Hamrun were in for a beating but Valletta failed to turn their supremacy into goals and after dropping their rhythm in the second they had to settle for a draw that leaves them on equal points with Gzira United and Balzan. Valletta’s next opponents are Floriana.
The Spartans did not set out merely to absorb pressure and avoid a of being run ragged. They were just made to look that way in the first half as Valletta controlled possession and tried to weaken a well-organised defence with the quality of their distribution and movement.
The Citizens often attack on the flanks but Denni prospered in space in central areas. He kept finding space and running past defenders at will.
Valletta, unbeaten in their previous five matches, were almost an unchanged side, with the only exception that Umeh Uchenna filled in for the suspended Joseph Zerafa. Valletta were the more threatening team throughout the first 45 minutes, with Denni, Nwoko and Piciollo irrepressible.
They pressed Hamrun urgently and Nwoko had an early sighter but his close range shot was blocked by Souza.
Piciollo hit Uchenna’s cross first time but keeper Galea held out his effort before he was forced to leave the pitch, after lengthy treatment, and be replaced by Steve Sultana in goal.
The latter was called to effect his first save short of the break, rushing out of his line to block Nwoko.
Despite all Valletta’s flurry, it remained goalless at halftime.
Valletta remained dominant but were creating fewer clear openings in the second half.
Sensing that their momentum was also dipping, coach Popovic replaced Piciollo with Michael Mifsud on the hour and later withdrew Denni and introduced Rowen Muscat.
Hamrun changed too, putting in Lydon Micallef for Clavero, but the game did not change significantly; if anything, it regressed.
Mifsud tried to get Valletta going but he was largely alone again. There was little clarity, little imagination, little pace to the play, and not much sign of a striker – either to take chances or make them. There was little threat in the movement of the men playing up front.
Valletta seemed to lack acceleration, an extra gear and imagination, too.
Hamrun, instead grew in composure as they were having more time on the ball and could control the proceedings with far more ease to limit any danger.
On 77 minutes, from a Muscat corner, Malano headed staright on the Hamrun keeper.
That would be the only shot on target of the second half. Valletta knew that a draw was not so benefitting for them and tried to take a step forward. Three more minutes were added, hearts in mouths, but there was to be no drama as the stalemate prevailed.