Valletta and Mriehel ESS crowned as champions
Valletta won the Elite title in the second leg of the final against Luxol. After a goalless first half, the match was more entertaining in the second half, which ended in a penalty shootout.
Valletta broke the deadlock in the fourth minute of the second half, from an inviting cross to Jovica Milijic who put the ball at the back of the net. Five minutes later, Luxol’s Zvezdan Vukovic levelled matters.
With less than two minutes from the end, Dylan Musu regained the advantage for the Citizens and put their supporters on celebration mode.
In the last second, Luxol’s Emil Andrei Raducu tested his luck and shot to goal against all odds. This 2-2 tie meant that the winner had to be decided after a penalty shootout.
Valletta’s Gia Nikvashvili missed the first penalty as he was denied by Luxol’s goalkeeper Christian Cassar. Celino Alves who returned from an injury, scored Luxol’s first penalty. Valletta’s Camilo Andres Gomez Vanegas scored the equaliser, while Luxol’s Andy Mangion missed the target. Meanwhile Milijic and Raducu netted their respective shots. Finally the Lilywhites resumed their celebrations as Musu scored with Maicon Silva missing the target for Luxol.
It was then time for Valletta’s jubilation which culminated in their captain Melvin Borg being presented with the trophy by FMA Honorary president Mark Borg and treasurer Mireille Vella.
Mriehel champions Mriehel ESS were declared Division One Champions after beating Tarxien JMI with the end result of 8-7. Mriehel ESS made it through Faisal Alnakuoo’s brace, a goal apiece for Victor Diego Viera Marinho, Essa Benatiya u Ayoub Ahmad and own goals by Radovan Duric, Uros Markovic and Craig Pickard. Tarxien JMI’s scoresheet included braces from Radovan Duric, Armando Djepali and William Barbosa, together with Craig Pickard’s goal.
After the final whistle, Mriehel ESS captain Marwan Tellisi was presented with the trophy by FMA Honorary president Mark Borg and treasurer Mireille Vella.