VALLETTA FC
Y. Cini
R. Camilleri
M. Picciolo (S. Dimech 62’) J. Borg
E. Pena Beltre
J. Zerafa (E. Sala 53’) Packer
R. Muscat
M. Fontanella
Y. Messias
K. Tulimieri (N. Pulis 62’)
Referee: Ass.Referees: Scorers: Yellow cards:
Stephan Klossner (Switzerland)
Remy Zgraggen, Efe Kurnazca (Switzerland) R. Murtazayev 25’, 68’, M. Tomasov 37’, 89’ E. Pena Beltre, K. Tulimieri Astana cruised to the play-off stage of the UEFA Europa League with another easy victory over Valletta to qualify 9-1 on aggregate. As was the case in the away match, Astana proved to be too strong for the local champions.
However Valletta gave their all, and their overall European adventure this season can be considered as a positive run, with the qualification at the expense of Luxembourg’s Dudelange being the highlight of the
European run.
Astana missed a god chance on five minutes with Tomasov hitting wide when well placed, and two minutes later Cini blocked Maevski’s effort.
Valletta responded with a Packer freekick and a Rown Muscat shot that was blocked by Eric.
Astana continued to dictate and Rotariu had two attempts missing the target. On 25 minutes Astana broke the deadlock when Muzhikov passed towards the unmarked Murtazayez who beat Cini.
On 32 minutes Fontanella’s shot was blocked by Eric and four minutes later the Astana custodian was again called in action to block a Packer freekick. At the other end Astana punished the Valletta defence when Maevski passed towards Tomasov who made no mistake in front of goal.
In the dying minutes of the first half, a Rotariu shot went off target and a Yuri Messias shot was blocked by Eric.
At the start of the second half Valletta tried to get back in the game with a Messias shot turned into a corner and a Fontanella shot missed the target. On 55 minutes Sigurjonsson missed a sitter in front of goal.
Half way through the second half Astana scored a third goal, again through Murtazayez following a Rukavina move. The match was all over now even though Valletta kept insisting on scoring at least a consolation goal, but Eric again denied Yuri Messias.
Five minutes from time, substitute Janga hit the post for Astana and four minutes later Astana completed the rout with the fourth and final goal, again scored by Tomasov for his second goal of the evening.