Valletta maintained their 100 per cent record in the VBET Malta Premier after overcoming Gżira United with a 3-0 victory.
The final scoreline, however, did not tell the full story of a match in which Gżira held the upper hand for much of the first half and created the better opportunities.
Valletta struggled to establish themselves in the opening stages as the Maroons started brightly. Maxuell Maia released Andy Borg after just five minutes, with the latter’s cross-shot being palmed away by Valletta goalkeeper Adilson Maringa.
The match was interrupted after 12 minutes when referee Slobodan Petrovic was forced off through injury and replaced by fourth official Ishmael Barbara.
Gżira thought they had been awarded a penalty on 20 minutes when Maxuell Maia went down under a challenge from Sava Radic. However, Valletta requested a Football Video Support review and, after examining the footage, Barbara overturned his original decision and booked Maia for simulation.
Valletta gradually began to create opportunities, with Sekulic sending a dangerous free-kick across the face of goal. Their best chance of the first half came in added time when Andrea Zammit squared for Jake Azzopardi, who fired over with only goalkeeper Elia Colombo to beat.
The Citizens emerged a transformed side after the interval and thought they had taken the lead on 48 minutes when Zammit found the net, only for the goal to be disallowed for a foul by Thaylor Aldama in the build-up.
Zammit then missed another excellent opportunity before Valletta finally made the breakthrough on 65 minutes.
Gżira goalkeeper Colombo’s attempted clearance was intercepted by Jake Azzopardi, who quickly released Zammit. The young forward made no mistake, firing a powerful effort past the goalkeeper to hand Valletta the lead.
The match was briefly halted shortly before the opening goal when Gżira striker Maxuell Maia collapsed on the pitch. After receiving medical attention, he was taken to hospital for further checks.
Gżira attempted to respond and Andy Borg came close to levelling the score on 72 minutes, but his effort from inside the area flew just over.
Valletta doubled their advantage eight minutes from time through substitute Roko Prsa. The Croatian midfielder was initially ruled offside after being sent clear by Alex Tanque, but a Football Video Support review confirmed that he had been onside and the goal was allowed to stand.
The Citizens completed the scoring in the closing stages. Keyon Ewurum’s powerful effort was only partially saved by Colombo, with Prsa collecting the rebound and setting up Aldama, who fired home to make it 3-0.
The victory gives Valletta a second successive win and another clean sheet as they continue their impressive start to the season.
For Gżira United, it was a second defeat in as many matches, despite an encouraging first-half performance which ultimately went unrewarded.
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
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