Valletta relegated to Challenge League
Valletta were relegated from the top division for the first time in their 118-year history amid tears and scenes of disapproval from their supporters yesterday.
The Lilywhites were relegated after failing to take any points from their encounter against Naxxar at the National Stadium.
Valletta looked doomed for much of the season but their 1-0 win over Balzan last weekend, had given them a lifeline.
A draw for Naxxar would have been enough to confirm their Premier League status ahead of their derby against Mosta next weekend. However, it seemed that amassing just one point was not on the Naxxar players’ minds.
And the Lions could not have hoped for a better lift-off.
They broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion inside the first two minutes. Retrieving possession inside Valletta’s half, Takuma Yamaguchi strode forward, and outsmarted Santiago Ferraris, before unleashing a stunning drive that soared into the top corner as goalkeeper Alessandro Guarnone looked on helplessly.
Yamaguchi’s screamer, arguably one of the best goals of the season so far, had a galvanising effect on Naxxar. Neil Pace Cocks sent in a teasing low freekick from the left which was turned into a corner by the Italian goalkeeper.
Reprieved, Valletta tried to raise their efforts. Brandon Paiber swung in a cross from the right, and Federico Falcone rose over friends and foes but Lions shotstopper Matthias Debono was alert as he nudged the ball away.
Yet, Vallletta’s problems in dealing with Naxxar’s incursions down the flanks were evident again past the half-hour mark. Yamaguchi dashed forward before squaring for Augusto Pablo Carvalho who hit a rising shot behind Guarnone.
Avoiding defeat never looked likely for Valletta from the moment the excellent Naxxar made it 2-0.
In the 41st minute, Pace Cocks laid the ball for Robinson Blandon who fizzed a low shot past Guarnone and into the corner.
The rhythm dropped in the second half as Valletta looked resigned to the impending defeat and eventually relegation into the Challenge league.
Yet, there was still time for Naxxar to score goal number four. De Carvalho and Blandon combined well in the 65th minute with the former squaring for Blandon to light up the Naxxar stand with a bullet shot that ripped past Guarnone.
Meanwhile, Balzan and Mosta shared the spoils in a goalless draw, a result that left both teams fighting for survival along with Sta Lucia.
The two teams shared the exchanges for long stretches although Balzan had an excellent opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty towards the end of the first half.
Mosta had the first attempt at goal on seven minutes with Gustavo Chara heading just over the bar off a Nathan Agius corner from the left.
Balzan replied with a good move between Ryohei Michibuchi and Aleksa Andrejic who rounded a defender inside the area only for his conclusion to be blocked by the same Japanese midfielder on 27 minutes.
Chidera Henry Nwoga tested the Balzan goalkeeper with a header off a cross by Zachary Brincat on 32 minutes as the Blues kept pushing to open the score.
Balzan’s Andrejic then concluded a good run on the left flank with a diagonal shot which just missed the target on 38 minutes.
Four minutes from the end of the first half, Balzan were awarded a penalty after Jake Vassallo floored George Blackwood inside the area but the Australian forward’s effort from the spot was pushed away by David Akpan.
In the second half, the two teams shared the exchanges as the focus seemed to be more on avoiding conceding a goal.
Santa Lucia moved out of the relegation zone when they beat Gżira United 2-1.
Santa Lucia had a perfect start, taking the lead after just three minutes when Carlos Moreira beat goalkeeper Darien Zarkov with a great curling shot.
The Maroons replied with a Gabriel Bohrer long-distance effort which was blocked by Celio with Jackson Mendoza heading the ball over the bar off the rebound.
On 32 minutes, Mrdja was floored inside the area by Farid Romero Zuniga. Referee Ishmael Barbara ordered a penalty and Carlos Moreira converted.
In the second half, the Maroons went all out in search of a goal which would reopen the game but only had a Dacosta Boadu goal to show on 87 minutes as the Saints held on for the win.
Kwasi Donsu scored a late equaliser as held Birkirkara to a 2-2 draw.
The Stripes took just five minutes to take the lead through Paul Mbong.
But Degran Jackson punished the Birkirkara defence when his low shot hit the net.
Birkirkara continued to push forward in the second half and Simon Zibo restored their lead with a fine volley.
Still, Sirens refused to buckle and Kwasi Donsu earned his team a point with a bullet shot.