YoHealth Malta Premier – ‘Draw results the order of the day’

The past weekend brought against each other four of the most traditional team’s on the island, Valletta crossed swords with Floriana whereas on Sunday we witnessed the top of the table clash between Floriana and Hamrun Spartans.

Following MD 25 few things changed since five out of six matches ended in a draw result. It was only Marsaxlokk who managed to gain the maximum points at the expensed of basement side Mosta. These were three valuable points for the Seasiders who were coming from a defeat against Hamrun Spartans. As regards Mosta it seems that it’s difficult for them to avoid the final two places in the standing and therefore avoid a relegation play off.

Floriana look as if the were going to break the jinx and get the maximum points from their match against Hamrun. The clock ticked 96 minutes with the additional six minutes given by the match official. And as Floriana were about to celebrate an important win, Matthew Guillaumier popped up and fired a well placed shot from the edge of the area. Though I personally think that the result was fair, Floriana will feel undone and dejected after suffering a very late equalizer. A result which left everything the same at the summit, Floriana still holding a two point advantage over the same Spartans,

Another tight match, tense more than the above mentioned was that between Valletta and Hibernians. Both teams, the latter more than the former are in dire needs of points. Following the Lillywhites opener, Hibernians pressed for the equalizer which materialized midway in the second half, but it was at an expense.

Stakes were high during this match and harsh tackles between the players were there to see at regular intervals. Even on the terraces it looked that animosity was the order of the day since even after the final whistle a section of both sets of supporters kept teasing each other with some minor incidents being recorded.

But an interesting yet childish incident happened when the Paolites drew level. It was Miullen who equalised but on finding the net he took of his shirt and since he was already booked, the Brazilian striker was given the marching orders. Obviously players have to be more smart during such instances and though I understand the euphoria on finding the net in such an important match, everyone has to be responsible for his actions. They could have gone for the win but their debutant coach Andrei Agius had to adapt to save a point, which he in fact did.

‘This is the least that we deserved      ‘

–       Giacomo Modica, coach Hamrun S. FC

‘We are happy that we finally got the point which is the least the we deserved’.  This was the first reaction by Hamrun Spartans coach Giacomo Modica following the dramatic ending of the match against leaders Floriana. Modica had more to say. ‘We dominated the match with a lot of possession and even some chances which came our way. With all respect to Floriana who are a great team they played a next to perfect tactical game but never threatened apart from the goal in the first minutes. In fact our goalkeeper Bonello was never called into action. So that confirms that on the day we were the better team’

‘ It was a bit hard on us   ‘                              

–       Daniel Portela, coach Floriana FC

‘It was a good result for us keeping also the lead at the summit. But we are disappointed since we were so near to get the win.’ These were the first comments given by Floriana coach Daniel Portela following the 1-1 draw against champions Hamrun Spartans. The Greens gaffer added. ‘ Congratulations both to Hamrun and also to my players who gave their all and showed the progress that the team has made during this season. But yes I must admit it was hard on us even after having six minutes of added time and conceding in the last seconds of it. But that is football and we must move on.’

CURIOSITIES 

v  The top of the table clash between Hamrun Spartans and Floriana had an attendance of 2,400 spectators. It was a good crowd for a Sunday afternoon match though let’s hope that in the coming weeks attendances will be on the increase when the Closing Round goes into the Top Six and Bottom Six phase.

v  The goal scored by Dervisagic for Floriana was the first one conceded by Hamrun after a lengthy spell. In fact  the last goal that the Spartans let go was in the first match of the Closing Round, the 2-1 win against Tarxien Rainbows.

v  Though Zabbar SP know that they are going to form part of the bottom six, positive results kept coming their way under the stewardship of Gilbert Agius. They have gained points against top clubs like Valletta, Hamrun S. and Gzira United and this will help them in believing more that  they can avoid the drop when the last part of the campaign kicks off.

CLOSING ROUND TABLE 

Floriana           21

Hamrun S.      19

M’Xlokk           17

Gzira Utd.        14

Naxxar L.        14

Valletta            13

Sliema W.       13

B’Kara             12

Hibernians       11

Zabbar SP       6

Tarxien R.       5

Mosta              1

RESULTS – MD 25