Valletta, under the guidance of new coach Zoran Popovic, always fancied their chances of qualification against inferior opponents from San Marino, SS Folgore, in this First Qualifying Round of the UEFA Europa League.
After taking a two-goal advantage, and keeping a clean sheet, in yesterday's first leg at Hibernians Stadium, Valletta's chances still look optimal, but considering their technical superiority, Valletta were expected to put the tie to rest.
Valletta's performance was nothing to shout about yesterday but after a shambolic first half, bereft of any goalmouth action, the Citizens took the lead before the break and added a second soon after the restart to put themselves in the groove ahead of next week's return leg.
Valletta, played with a four-man defence, Borg and Camilleri in the centre, Romao and newcomer Joseph Zerafa advancing down the flanks when the side had possession. Gill provided cover in front of the defence while Pani, Malano and Umeh roamed in midfield behind Velasco and Mifsud, the latter playing in a very wide role on the left. Henry Bonello was back in goal, upon his return from Birkirkara.
For much of the first part of the opening half, the match was rather stale. Folgore were sharp on the ball, closing all avenues and going forward on counter attacks.
Valletta took long to get going, as they hoofed long balls forward, for Mifsud and Velasco to chase, with little purpose. They failed to create clear cut chances, even if the Folgore defence did not look particularly strong.
It took the Citizens 24 minutes to go inside the opposing area. With Mifsud chasing a Pani pass but Folgore keeper Luca Bianchi blocked at his feet.
With halftime looming, and proceedings becoming increasingly scrappy, Valletta awoke from their slumber to take the lead. Uchenna sent a deep cross from the right inside the Folgore area and defender Steve Borg rose to head the ball past keeper Bianchi.
(Photos Domenic Aquilina)
Valletta started rolling the ball with much more confidence in the second half. And with Folgore looking a bit sleepish, the locals hit them with a sucker punch after only three minutes. Ucheh was again the provider with a through ball for Maximilianno Velasco to chase, advancing from the middle and steer low past the helpless Folgore keeper.
With Valletta now firmly in control, Folgore were lucky to get away with no more. Mifsud tried to go for goal from the byeline on the left but was foiled by the keeper.
On 52 minutes Bianchi saved shots from Malano and Ucheh.
The vistors could hardly make a reaction and it was only on 70 minutes that Paradisi went close with his low effort.
Ten minutes from time, Ucheh had to leave the pitch with some muscle strain, to be replaced by Jean Borg, after Velasco had also been substituted.
Roderick Briffa also tasted European action with his late inclusion as Valletta ended the match more potent going forward. On 82 minutes the Folgore keeper held out Mifsud's cross shot from the left. Bianchi also turned Mifsud's powerful drive into a corner in added time to save his side from further derision.
Late goals condemn Balzan
Videoton Balzan 2-0
Balzan suffered two late goals yesterday in Hungary as they were beaten by Videoton 2-0 in the first leg of the Europa League.
Videoton's Marko Scepovic missed a penalty on 73 minutes, but the same player broke the deadlock six minutes later when served by Geresi.
Videoton's second goal was scored on 94 minutes throughDanko Lazovic.
Ten-man Floriana suffer 3-0 defeat against Red Star
Red Star Belgrade Floriana 3-0
Ten-man Floriana suffered three goals against former European champions Red Star Belgrade yesterday in the first leg of the Europa League first qualifying round.
Red Star took the lead on the stroke of half time when they won a penalty, with Floriana's defender Ruiz shown the red card.
From the penalty spot Richmond Boakye made no mistake.
Floriana suffered the other goals late in the game with Slobodan Srnic making it two on 79 minutes, and with Richmond Boakye scoring the third and final goal on 89 minutes.
from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/2uqhklw
via IFTTT
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