Valletta declared champions after victory over Birkirkara

Birkirkara - Valletta 0-2

Birkirkara only needed one point to retain the title that would have given them their fifth title and third one in the last five years.

It would be a nightmare ending for Birkirkara after their excellent performances throughout the season with a run of thirteen consecutive victories between October and January while Valletta remained unbeaten in 2014 with a positive run of fifteen matches.

Valletta took the shock lead just after two minutes of play. A freekick by Shaun Bajada left no chance for goalkeeper Justin Haber.

Birkirkara’s Zach Muscat had his header tipped into a corner by goalkeeper Nukri Revishvili after ten minuted of play.

On the 25th minute, off a cross by Abdelkarim Nafti, Alan da Silva Souza came close to scoring for Valletta, but goalkeeper Justin Haber made sure the ball stayed out of the net.

Luke Montabello came close to scoring on the 28th minute. Off a cross by Abdelkarim Nafti, Montabello’s header went just wide.

Two minutes later, off a cross by Alan da Silva Souza, it would be Montabello again trying his chances with another header but it was deflected into a corner.

Birkirkara came close to scoring on the 35th minute when a shot from inside the area by Paul Fenech went over the net.

From the start of the second half, Birkirkara started to take control of the match as they tried to score the priceless equaliser that would enable them to retain the League title.

Valletta’s goalkeeper Nukri Revishvili made a good save following a freekick by Paul Fenech on the 70th minute.

Birkirkara were again denied by the Valletta goalkeeper on the 83rd minute. The Georgian goalkeeper intercepted a pass by Frank Temile before Ronaille Calheira Seara could get to the ball in front of goal.

Birkirkara started to increase the pressure and came close on a number of occasions.

On the 84th minute, Revishvili performed another great save when he denied Frank Temile from scoring from exactly in front of goal.

On the 90th minute, Valletta almost lost it all when a shot by Frank Temile would scrape past the post.

Birkirkara would eventually regret their missed scoring opportunities when on a counter attack in added time Valletta’s Roderick Briffa sealed the victory for Valletta with his goal from close range.

Immediately the Valletta supporters made it to the field celebrating and with two minutes remaining the referee brought the match to a close.

BIRKIRKARA:  Justin Haber, Zach Muscat, Nikola Vukanac, Matheus Bissi da Silva (59′ Frank Temile), Joseph Zerafa, Paul Fenech, Gareth Sciberras, Rowen Muscat (72′ Ronaille Calheira Seara), Edward Herrera, Haruna Shola Shodiya, Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao.

Subs not used: Reuben Gauci, Ryan Scicluna, Daniel Zerafa, Ryan Scicluna. Terence Vella.

Coach: Paul Zammit

VALLETTA: Nukri Revishvili, Jonathan Caruana, Steve Borg, Ryan Fenech (87′ Edmond Agius), Luke Montebello (81′ Lateef Elford-Alliyu), Alan da Silva Souza, Shaun Bajada, Denni Rocha dos Santos (75′ Roderick Briffa), Irakli Maisuradze, Abdelkarim Nafti, Luke Dimech.

Subs not used: Yenz Cini, Ian Azzopardi, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, Llywelyn Cremona.

Coach: Andre Paus

Referee: Chris Lautier

Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Roberto Vella

Additional Assistant Referees: Mario Apap, Trustin Farrugia Cann

Fourth Official: Paul Apap

Yellow Cards: P. Fenech, S. Borg, A. Nafti, N. Revishvili

Scorers: 2′ Shaun Bajada, 90+4′ Roderick Briffa

BOV Player of the Match: Shaun Bajada

Attendance: 10,633