Ħamrun Spartans remain in search of their first victory in the YoHealth Malta Premier League after being held to a 1-1 draw by fierce rivals Valletta at the National Stadium.
Valletta made the brighter start and took the lead after 12 minutes when Yuri Messias unleashed a stunning free-kick that crashed in off the underside of the bar, leaving goalkeeper Henry Bonello helpless. The Citizens, with Brazilian striker Jefferson making his first start, pressed hard in the early stages and caused plenty of problems for the Spartans’ backline.
Ħamrun, fielding several changes from their European commitments—including starts for Daniel Letherby, Matias Garcia, Ante Coric, and Merlin Hadzi, plus a debut for Dutch forward Valentijn Meijer Steijner—gradually found their rhythm. They equalised on 36 minutes when a defensive mix-up allowed Merlin Hadzi to pounce and fire home from close range.
The second half was evenly contested, with few clear-cut chances. Ħamrun’s Shaisen Attard forced a good stop from Adilson shortly after coming on, while Valletta’s Thaylor Aldama saw his strike blocked by Ryan Camenzuli. The best opportunity to win it fell to Jefferson in the dying minutes, but Bonello produced a crucial save to preserve the draw.
In the end, both sides had to settle for a point in a fiercely contested derby, leaving Ħamrun still searching for their first league win of the new season.
Match Statistics
Final Score: Ħamrun Spartans 1–1 Valletta
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Goals: Hadzi 36’ (Ħamrun); Messias 12’ (Valletta)
Ħamrun Spartans XI: H. Bonello, R. Compri, D. Letherby (80 D. Simkus), M. Garcia, J. Mbong (46 S. Thioune), V. Polito, A. Coric, M. Hadzi (62 S. Attard), E. Marcelina (46 S. Xerri), R. Camenzuli, V. Meijer Stijner (62 N. Koffi).
Valletta XI: Adilson, S. Borg, B. Paiber (86 R. Muscat), Y. Yankam (70 J. Azzopardi), K. Brewer, N. Micallef, Y. Messias (77 A. Zammit), S. Radic, T. Aldama, Jefferson, J. Mendoza.
Referee: Matthew De Gabriele
Yellow Cards: Xerri (Ħamrun), Koffi (Ħamrun)
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