Balzan 1
Moises 47;
Valletta 1
Bello-Osagie 59;

The odds looked to have been further skewed against Balzan when, 25 minutes into the second half of their clash with champions Valletta, Brazilian defender Renato Conceicao was shown a straight red card for violent play.

With the score tied at 1-1, Valletta were widely expected to turn the screw and make their numerical advantage count against depleted opponents, who a week before at the same venue, also had a man sent off in their capitulation to Hibs.

But, the outcome was entirely different this time around as Balzan showed admirable resilience to weather Valletta’s late pressure and salvage a point, thus preserving their unbeaten record against the champions this season after the first-round meeting had also ended one-all.

Coming from four consecutive victories, Valletta were fancied to extend their winning streak, moreso after title rivals Hibs had succumbed to a surprising defeat to Floriana, but Mark Miller’s men failed to sparkle yesterday.

They did hold possession for long spells but they often ran into a sea of red shirts as Balzan crowded their midfielder and defence with the likes of Stefan Giglio and Jamie Pace clearly determined to impress against their former employers.

Not only did Balzan do well, they were dangerous every time they counter-attacked with Elie Moises crowning a fine debut with a goal.

Moises was a strong contender for the man-of-the-match award but he was eclipsed by another debutant, Abubakar Bello-Osagie, who also capped a fine display by scoring Valletta’s equaliser.

A win would have sent Valletta four points clear at the top but the draw means that they failed to take full advantage of Hibs’ slip-up as they are now only two points ahead.

Signed on loan from Qormi on transfer deadline day, Bello-Osagie was a surprise inclusion in Valletta’s starting XI yesterday. The Nigerian winger was chosen ahead of Brazilian midfielder Gabriel in the only change from the 6-0 drubbing of Ħamrun Spartans.

Bello-Osagie flanked Demba Toure in attack as Michael Mifsud, handed the captain’s armband in the absence of the injured Roderick Briffa, started on the right wing.

Apart from Briffa, Steve Borg, injured, and Brazilian forward Denni, suspended, were also out of contention for the champions.

Brazilian playmaker Pedrinho, Renie Forace, Yessous Camilleri and Matthew Mendy were missing for Balzan but they were buoyed by the return of Brazilian striker Elton and the availability of Ivorian striker Moises.

Moises threatened to make an instant impact as, barely a minute into the game, he raced through to reach a long pass from midfield but the on-rushing Yenz Cini made himself big and repelled the Balzan striker’s effort.

Despite the wealth of attacking talent in their ranks, Valletta failed to muster a scoring opportunity in the opening exchanges.

A fluid move prised open the Valletta defence as Elton, roaming outside the box, released Dylan Grima who charged into the box from the right before hitting a dangerous pass towards the far post only for Jacob Borg to fire against the side-netting.

Valletta countered with Daniel Bogdanovic flicking the ball forward to Mifsud who evaded his marker but his scrambled shot was easily blocked by Daniel Miguelez Martinez, the Balzan goalkeeper.

On 19 minutes, Jason Vandelannoite advanced down the right before arrowing a cross into the box but Bello-Osagie’s header was too central to unsettle Martinez.

Balzan’s propensity to pour forward in the early stages surprised the Citizens but the champions began to find their rhythm as the first half wore on.

Danger beckoned for the Citizens when Elie Moises set off on a run down the inside-right channel but Luke Dimech shackled the Ivorian forward who lobbed wide.

At the other end, a prolonged City move had Balzan on the ropes but Martinez came to the rescue.

It was Vandelannoite who supplied another teasing cross from the right and Bello-Osagie rose to head the ball but he only managed to nudge it past Martinez. From the ensuing melee, Ryan Fenech’s close-range drive was kept out by Martinez who had to react quickly to stop Toure’s follow-on attempt.

There was another chance for Valletta when William Barbosa picked out Bogdanovic inside the box but the latter was denied by Martinez.

Bello-Osagie continued to vindicate his presence in the team as the Nigerian embarked on a coruscating run from his team’s half before serving Mifsud whose angled effort rolled wide.

Three minutes from half-time, Valletta appealed for a penalty when Bello-Osagie went down after being challenged by Jamie Pace but referee Andre Arciola waved play on.

Miller switched to a three-man defence with Vandelannoite taking up the holding midfield role but any hopes that this tactical change would reap instant dividends were dashed when Balzan struck less than two minutes into the second half.

Picking up possession in midfield, Moises ran through the static Valletta defending before slotting past Cini from a tight angle.

The pressure was now on Valletta to cancel out the deficit. They went close when Mifsud’s cross was met by Toure but the latter’s header was saved by Martinez.

On 57 minutes, Dimech sent his header over the bar from Barbosa’s free-kick but not before long Valletta equalised thanks to Bello-Osagie who scored with a rising shot after his initial pass for Toure was intercepted by Conceicao

Buttressed by their equaliser, Valletta came close to taking their lead but Mifsud’s effort sailed just wide.

Tempers became somehow heated on the pitch, culminating in Renato Conceicao’s dismissal for swinging his arm at Mifsud. The Brazilian was seen exchanging angry words with some Valletta fans in the VIP zone as he was walking towards the dressing room.

Zammit, the Balzan coach, followed Conceicao as he was ordered off the bench by under-fire referee Arciola for dissent after the Reds had a penalty appeal, for an alleged handball by Dimech, turned down.

As was to be expected, Valletta seized control but they couldn’t find a way through the Balzan defence.

Balzan
D.M. Martinez-7, A. Agius-6, J. Borg-6, R. Conceicao, S. Giglio-6.5, J. Pace-7, B. Bondin-6.5, D. Grima-6 (56 C. Caruana-5), F. Aboulezz-6.5, Elton-6 (80 R. Darmanin), E. Moises-7.5.

Valletta
Y. Cini-6, J. Vandelannoite-6, I. Azzopardi-6, J. Caruana-6, L. Dimech-7, W. Barbosa-6.5 (83 Gabriel), R. Fenech-5.5, M. Mifsud-5.5, D. Toure-5 (86 J. Ogunnuppe), D. Bogdanovic-5.5 (60 D. Falzon-6), A. Bello-Osagie-8.

Referee: Andre Arciola.

Yellow cards: Caruana; Bell-Osagie; Bondin.

Red card: Conceicao (B) 70.

BOV Player of the match: Abubakar Bello-Osagie (Valletta).

Attendance: 644.

Standings