YoHealth Malta Premier – Opening Round
VALLETTA……..0
BIRKIRKARA…0
Newcomers Valletta held Birkirkara to a hard-earned draw in a cagey opener at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali. The first half was predominantly played in midfield, with both sides cancelling each other out and neither goalkeeper particularly involved. As the interval approached, Valletta gained the upper hand and became dangerous on three occasions through Andrei Ciolacu and Jackson Mendoza, but the breakthrough would not come.
Valletta emerged stronger after the restart and pressed high. In 52 minutes, Yannick Yankam’s inviting cross was met sweetly by Shaft Keith Brewer Jr, whose first-time volley thundered against the crossbar with Miguel Ángel Martínez beaten. Five minutes later, Brandon Diego Paiber tested the Birkirkara goalkeeper with a dipping free kick from around 25 metres, extending the home side’s bright spell.
From the hour mark, the momentum swung. Birkirkara began to find space in transition and pushed Valletta back, with Kemar Reid especially lively. On 72 minutes, the winger curled a fine effort inches past the far post, and on 81 minutes, Leandro Lautaro Lacunza’s teasing cross was met by Lucas “Macula” Ribeiro de Oliveira, his header flashing a whisker wide of Adilson Aguero dos Santos’ upright. In the first minute of stoppage time Sava Radić rose to meet a corner but glanced wide, the final scare of a contest that ultimately belonged to the defences. Both sides were disciplined without the ball. Valletta were the better team for the first hour, yet Birkirkara took the upper hand late on, and neither managed to find the decisive finish.
Formations
Valletta (4-3-3): Adilson Aguero dos Santos; Thaylor Aldama, Steve Borg, Sava Radić, Neil Anthony Micallef; Jackson Mendoza, Brandon Diego Paiber, Yannick Yankam; Shaft Keith Brewer Jr, Andrei Ciolacu, Yuri De Jesus Messias.
Birkirkara (4-3-3): Miguel Ángel Martínez; Francisco López Garrone, Manuel Ignacio Morello, Luis Mario Córdova Mina, Leandro Lautaro Lacunza; Donovan Stéphane Makoma, Shaun Dimech, Lucas “Macula” Ribeiro de Oliveira; Kemar Reid, Franklin Olanitori Sasere, Kurt Zammit.
Referee: Ishmael Barbara.
