Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/673696
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 1 MAY 2016 Sport 50 SPORTTODAY PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY ATTARD Valletta seal championship with draw against Hibs Valletta ................................. 1 Hibernians ............................. 1 CHAMPIONS Valletta ended the cam- paign four points clear at the top after a final-day win over second-placed Hiber- nians. In the final game of the season, Valletta's players and fans celebrated their side's 23rd title with a gritty performance against their rivals. With Hibs looking at spoiling the Citi- zens's party, the Paolites created the better chances in the first 45 minutes. Yet, Valletta also went close to opening the score in what was a hotly contested first half. Goalkeepers Henry Bonello and Justin Haber were kept busy throughout the game with the Paolites creating the first goalscoring opportunity on the 26th when a Jorginho strong shot was saved by the Valletta keeper. Two minutes later, Haber was called into action but Valletta striker Jhonnattann's shot scraped past the post. Hibs once again went close to opening the score when Marcelo Dias outpaced Valletta defender Ian Azzopardi to pass the ball to Gilmar. Despite Valletta's calls for an off- side, the Brazilian put his compatriot Jorg- ingho through but his effort was saved by Bonello. Hibs then had a penalty appeal turned down after Umeh Calistus's shot appeared to come off Andrei Agius's arm. Minutes later, Jorginho missed another inviting chance for Hibs but he mishit his shot after being put through by Malta international Bjorn Kristensen. Just before the break, Bonello was once again called into action when he blocked Jorginho's attempt after the Brazilian latched on a moment of indecision in the Valletta defence. From the subsequent counter-attack, Val- letta's Argentine striker Federico Falcone and Abdelkarim Nafti combined but the Tunisian's shot went high. After the break, it was the newly-crowned champions who took the lead on the 60th minute when Nafti put Falcone through and the unmarked Argentine slotted the ball past Haber. However, Valletta's lead only lasted five minutes, with Hibs equalizing through Marcelo Dias whose header gave Bonello little chance. VALLETTA Henry Bonello, Jonathan Caruana, Ian Azzopardi, Ryan Camilleri, Juan Cruz Gill, Roderick Briffa, Federico Falcone, Claudio Pani, Uchenna Calistus Umeh (59' Romeu Pericles Romao), Jhonn- attann Benites da Conceicao (75' Michael Mifsud), Abdelkarim Nafti (74' Llywelyn Cremona). Subs not used: Nicky Vella, Daniel Camill- eri, Jean Borg, Jurgen Suda. Coach: Paul Zammit HIBERNIANS Justin Haber, Rodolfo Soares, Andrei Agius, Jonathan Pearson, Marcelo Dias (84' Joseph Essien Mbong), Clayton Failla, Bjorn Kristensen, Jackson di Lima Siqueira, Andrew Cohen (72' Jurgen Degabriele), Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro, Jorge da Silva Pereira. Subs not used: Jurgen Borg, Diosdado Mbele Mangue, Daniel Buckle, Zach Scerri, Dusn- tan Vella Coach: Branko Nisevic Referee: Mario Apap Assistant Referees: Mitchell Scerri, Roberto Vella Additional Assistant Referees: Esther Azzo- pardi, Glen Tonna Fourth Official: Paul Apap Yellow Cards: Nafti, Umeh, Kristensen, Dias Scorers: 60' Federico Falcone, 65' Marcelo Dias BOV Player of the Match: Federico Falcone Attendance: 5,408