Valletta bow out of Champions League

FC Ekranas - 1
Valletta - 0
(Ekranas qualify 4-2 on aggregate)

Valletta were attempting to overcome a one goal deficit in Lithuania although the number of home goals suffered was always going to be crucial to their qualifying.

Valletta started without a number of key players including Jonathan Caruana and Denni dos Santos.

The Lilywhites’ hopes were dashed immediately when after 4 minutes a lofted free kick found Deduras who headed home from close range. Ekranas looked in control of the game as they were in Malta and on 9 minutes another lofted free kick again found Deduras whose header ended up just wide.

Valletta appeared pretty toothless upfront with both Effiong and Mifsud well marshaled by the burly Lithuanian defence. However on 22 minutes, Effiong almost sprang the offside trap but in the end he was crowded out by three defenders.

The game continued pretty staid as Ekranas easily controlled Valletta’s efforts. On 37 minutes, Kucys had a fine header from a corner which ended up just wide. On 42 minutes Valletat were unlucky not to score as a loose ball fell to Barbosa who failed to connect from close range.

The second half began with Gilbert Agius trying a hopeful shot from far out but which was well saved by Rubas. On 53 minutes, Ryan Fenech had a fine cross shot which was deflected for a corner.

Valletta continued penetrating forward but with little success as Ekranas defended stoutly. On 74 minutes, Ian Zammit let fly from a distance but his effort went well wide as Valletta seemed resigned to their fate.

Ekranas almost made it two on 84 minutes when Matevic saw his last ditch effort blocked by the Valletta defence but on the counter, Valletta almost equalized with Mifsud hitting the outside of the post after a cross by Falzon.

FC Ekranas: Rubas, Radavicius, Kucycs (Rikonas 82’), Juksas, Alonso (Velita 68’), Dedura, Donkevicius, Matevic, Umeh (Morotz 88’), Andjelkovic, Vertelius

Valletta FC: A Hogg, I Azzopardi, D Falzon, S. Borg, R Fenech, G Agius, E Agius, Barbosa, M Mifsud, A Effiong (I Zammit 67’), K Sammut (D Dos Santos 55’)

Goals: Dedura 4’

Booked: K Sammut, Andjelkovic, Tomkevicius, S Borg, Juksas, Matovic, Dos Santos

Referee: A Constantin (Rumania)