Valletta face uphill battle to qualify for next round

Valletta must now win by at least a two-goal difference when they play at the Aukstaitija Stadium in Panevezy next week.

Ekranas showed they were the better side from the start of the match.

Ekranas managed to take the lead on the 15^th minute when striker Uchenna Umeh dribbled past Valletta goalkeeper Andrew Hogg to place the ball in the empty net.

On the 21^st minute, Dainius Gleveckas made it 2-0 after he slotted the ball in off a corner kick by Ramunas Radavicius.

Five minutes from the end of the first half, Valletta’s Jonathan Caruana brought down Uchenna Umeh inside the area resulting in the referee ordering a penalty shot. Ramunas Radavicius converted to make the score 3-0.

A minute later, Valletta were back in the match after a fantastic shot from Michael Mifsud left no chance for the visiting sides goalkeeper.

In the second half, Valletta played much better with numerous scoring opportunities.

The only goal in the second half arrived on the 90^th minute after Andrius Joksas handled the ball inside the area to have the referee point to the penalty spot. William Barbosa da Silva made no mistake for Valletta to make the final score 3-2.

VALLETTA FC - A.Hogg, E.Agius, S.Borg, G. Agius, J.Pace (A.Effiong), R.Briffa, J.Caruana, W.Barbosa, R.Fenech (K.Sammut), I.Azzopardi, M.Mifsud

Booked - Barbosa , E.Agius, Caruana

FK EKRANAS - E.Zubas, A.Joksas, D.Gleveckas, I.Dedura, M.Dusan, A.Kucys, M.Alonso (A.Velicka), M.Andjelkovic, R.Radavicius (M.Skimderis), C.Umeh Uchenna (T.Markevicius), A.Vertelis

Booked - Dedura , Alonso, Gleveckas

Scorers – Umeh Uchenna 15 min., Gleveckas 20 min., Radavicius 40 min. Pen. (E), Mifsud 41 min., Barbosa 90 min. pen. (V)

Referee - Pavle Radovanovic (Montenegro)