Vittoriosa defeat Rabat to keep survival hopes alive

Rabat managed to take the lead as early as the seventh minute when they were awarded a penalty. Ryan Micallef was brought down inside the area by Clive Brincat to have the referee immediately point to the penalty spot. Ryan Micallef beat goalkeeper Mario Muscat from the spot to give Rabat the lead.

Vittoriosa started to increase the pressure to try to get back in the game.

Vittoriosa came close to scoring on the half-hour mark. Off a freekick by Oscar Guerrero, Clive Brincat was unlucky to hit the woodwork with his header.

Two minutes later, Vittoriosa finally managed to get back in the game when they leveled matters. Marcelo Pereira had his shot just beat goalkeeper Pavle Velimirovic to make the score 1-1.

Vittoriosa continued to control the match and they managed to take the lead on the 43rd minute. Off a pass by Oscar Guerrero, Marcelo Pereira made his way past the Rabat defence before he slotted the ball past Pavel Velimirovic.

RABAT AJAX Pavle Velimirovic, Shaun Gauci, David Azzopardi, Zachary Tanti, Ivan Carapic, Joseph Caruana, Diego Carrillo Pendas, Sorin Virgil Oproiescu (78′ Patrick Borg), Ryan Micallef (52′ Aidan Azzopardi), Malcolm Licari (78′ Chris Vella), Jonathan Bajada.
Subs not used: Andrew Zammit, Patrick Borg, Stefan Cortis, Etienne Scicluna, Luke Cauchi.
Coach: Steve D’Amato

VITTORIOSA STARS Mario Muscat, Clive Spiteri, Carl Sammut (66′ Luke Vella Critien), Samir Arab, Marcelo Pereira, Oscar Guerrero, Ousmane Sidibe, Siraj Arab Eddin (62′ Michael Camilleri), Francisco Arriagada Mella (83′ Mark Barbara), Clive Brincat, Malcolm Buttigieg.
Subs not used: Sean Cini, Ryan Mifsud, Sheldon Grech, Federico Santaguida.

Refeee: Philip Farrugia
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Roberto Vella
Fourth Official: Paul Caruana
Yellow Cards: Brincat, Oproiescu, Arab Eddin, Carrillo, Licari
Scorers: 7′ Ryan Micallef pen (R); 32′ Marcelo Pereira (V); 43′ Marcelo Pereira (V)
BOV Player of the Match: Marcelo Pereira