After 72 matches in the men’s division, the one-off Malta FA Jubilee Cup, sponsored by Enemed, came to an end on Monday evening in spectacular fashion with Valletta beating Sliema Wanderers 3-1 in the final. It was a much-deserved win for the rejuvenated Citizens who, after spending a season in the second tier of the Maltese football pyramid, are back amongst the elite of football.
The Wanderers reached the Final by beating St Andrews after penalties in the 1st round, followed by narrow wins against Birkirkara (3-2) and Mosta (2-0) while last Wednesday Sliema beat Zabbar St Patrick, again after the penalty shootout. Valletta had the better of Tarxien Rainbows in the other Semi-Final (2-0), with the Citizens defeating Challenge League sides Melita (1-0) and Mgarr United (4-0) in the first two rounds, followed by a 2-0 victory over champions Hamrun Spartans in the Quarter-Finals.
While the Blues fielded the same starting eleven as in their Semi-Final with Zabbar, Valletta coach Thane Micallef changed his line-up on two places with centre-back Emmanuel Mbende replacing the suspended Neil Micallef while Zachary Cassar was roped in instead of Evandro Gomes as progressive left wing back.
The two rivals were feeling each other out in the opening phase, with Roko Prsa producing the first shot on target on 13 minutes with Valletta goalkeeper Maringa saving rather easily. Four minutes later on the other side, Yuri sent Andrea Zammit through on the left flank with Rashed Al Tumi blocking the attempt of the fresh Malta international with difficulty. On 20 minutes, a Yuri long-distance attempt sailed inches wide after receiving from Shaft Brewer who created havoc on the right flank moments before.
Valletta took the lead on the half hour mark. Steve Borg intercepted an Adam Magri Overend pass in the Valletta box and went on an impressive run down the left, laying off to Yuri just before the Sliema box, who rather easily beat Murilo Freire to kick the ball home with an excellent grounder.
Not much later, Sliema coach Paul Zammit used their first FVS challenge when Prsa was allegedly brought down in the box but, after revision, the former Spartans player was adjudged to be in an off-side position. Sliema pressed however and on 42 minutes, Magri Overend picked up a loose ball just outside the area and volleyed towards goal with the ball going wide. Just before the end of regular time, Miguel Baggio tested Maringa with a long-distance scorcher which was paraded well by the Brazilian goalkeeper.
In the first five minutes after the break, Sliema initially threatened but it was Yuri who wasted two good chances, with especially the second one being a wonderful opportunity to double after an inch perfect pass of Andrea Zammit but the nippy Brazilian failed to conclude.
On 65 minutes, Maringa was called into action, parading a scorcher by Magri-Overend. Not much later on the other side, an Al Tumi clearance error created havoc in the Sliema box with eventually both Yuri and Yannick Yankam failing to double.
With 15 minutes regular time left, Valletta were awarded a penalty when, after a free-kick action, Sava Radic was held by Bah in the box. Despite the FVS review, the decision was standing with Yuri sending Al Tumi the wrong way to double for the Citizens. On 83 minutes, Valletta captain Brandon Paiber decided the match with a brilliantly taken top corner free-kick from just outside the area.
On 86 minutes, the Blues regained some hope when substitute Fernandinho slalomed his way through the Valletta box, beating Maringa with an excellent left-footed grounder which was the first goal conceded for Valletta in this competition. It proved to be too little too late however for the Blues, with Valletta cruising comfortably to win another one-off competition, after winning the National League Anniversary Cup in 2010, the Centenary Cup in 2000 and the prestigious Malta Cup in 1943.
Source: MFA
Photo: MFA
