Valletta lose chance to go top

The victory for Naxxar boosts their chances to secure their place in the top half of the table.

Naxxar looked the better side at the beginning of the match but Valletta had the first chance on goal on the 8^th minute. Denni had his shot turned into a corner by goalkeeper Julian Azzopardi.

Naxxar took the lead on the 23^rd minute. Andre Rocha da Silva served Ryan Gilmar Cassar and off the latter's cross, Terence Scerri beat goalkeeper Yenz Cini with his powerful shot.

Valletta were unluck not to score the equaliser on the 33^rd minute when Abdelkarim Nafti hit the crossbar with his direct freekick.

Naxxar doubled their lead on the 39^th minute. Off a corner by Ryan Gilmour Cassar, a header by Andre Rocha da Silva was partially saved by goalkeeper Yenz Cini and off the rebound, Thiago Lopes de Souza made sure he found the back of the net.

Valletta went close to reducing Naxxar's lead when Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza's powerful shot hit the side of the net.

In the second half, Naxxar continued to defend well and frustrate Valletta.

The match turned for the worse for Valletta on the 59^th minute when Steve Borg was sent off for his second bookable offence.

Valletta managed to reduce the gap on the 88^th minute. A powerful shot by Ryan Fenech from outside the area beat goalkeeper Julian Azzopardi.

The comeback was just too late for Valletta as Naxxar ruined their chances to go to the top of the standings before the big match between Birkirkara and Hibernians today.

NAXXAR LIONS Julian Azzopardi, Victor Bellia, Angus Buhagiar, Ryan Gilmour Cassar, Gilmar Da Silva Ribeiro, Andrew Decesare, Pablo Doffo, Thiago Lopes De Souza, Andre' Rocha Da Silva (86' Jeremiah Ani), Terence Scerri (77' Mattia Del Negro), Evaldo Silva Dos Santos.
Subs not used: Luke Pecorella, Duane Bonnici, John Debono, Jurgen Debono, Daren Falzon.
Coach: Winston Muscat

VALLETTA Yenz Cini, Jonathan Caruana, Steve Borg, Ryan Fenech, Edmond Agius (82' Hamza Barry), Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (71' Ian Zammit), Oscar Reyes Sanchez, Raimi Bakare (56' Shaun Bajada), Rocha Dos Santos, Abdel Karim Nafti, Luke Dimech.
Subs not used: Dyson Falzon, Llywelyn Cremona, Yessous Camilleri, Manuel Bartolo.
Coach: Mark Miller

Referee: Mario Apap

Assistant Referees: Mitchell Scerri, Duncan Sultana

Fourth Official: Andre Arciola

Yellow Cards: Decesare, Dimech, Evaldo, S. Borg, Bakare, Bellia, Fenech

Red Cards: 59' Steve Borg (V)

Scorers: 23' Terence Scerri (N), 39' Thiago Lopes De Souza (N); 88′ Ryan Fenech (V)

BOV Player of the Match: Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro