The final Top Six places in the YoHealth Malta Premier League Closing Round were confirmed on Saturday following an afternoon of decisive results across several fixtures.
Naxxar Lions and Valletta secured the remaining qualification spots for the championship phase. They will join Floriana, Ħamrun Spartans, Marsaxlokk and Gżira United in the Top Six as the league enters its second phase. For Naxxar Lions, this marks their first appearance in the Top Six since the current league format was introduced.
Meanwhile, the Bottom Six phase will include three former Premier League champions. Sliema Wanderers, Hibernians and Birkirkara will compete in the relegation phase alongside Żabbar St Patrick, Tarxien Rainbows and Mosta.
The first goals of the afternoon came in the match between Floriana and Birkirkara. Kenan Dervišagić put Floriana ahead after four minutes, but Kemar Reid equalised soon after as Birkirkara challenged the league leaders. Floriana regained the lead when Jake Grech converted a penalty, a result that would have confirmed them as leaders of the Opening Phase of the Closing Round at that stage. Birkirkara later earned a 2-2 draw through a late goal by Jan Busuttil.
In the fixture between Sliema Wanderers and Gżira United, Uroš Đuranović opened the scoring in the eighth minute. Roko Prša added a second goal for Sliema just before half-time. Late in the match, Gżira reduced the deficit through an own goal by Murilo Henrique, creating tension, but Sliema held on for the win. Despite this victory, Sliema missed out on a Top Six place as other results went against them.
Naxxar Lions moved ahead against Hibernians when Louis Pahama scored early. João Victor later doubled the lead for Naxxar, while Kurt Shaw scored a consolation for Hibernians. The win secured Naxxar’s place in the Top Six for the first time in the league’s current format.
At the National Stadium, Marsaxlokk faced Valletta. The first half ended goalless, with Marsaxlokk already assured of a Top Six spot and Valletta needing a draw to qualify. Early in the second half, José Arias gave Marsaxlokk the lead after an individual effort. Valletta responded immediately through Andrea Zammit, who finished from close range to equalise and confirm Valletta’s qualification for the championship phase.
Saturday’s results confirmed that Naxxar Lions and Valletta secured the final Top Six places. The championship phase will now feature Floriana, Ħamrun Spartans, Marsaxlokk, Gżira United, Naxxar Lions and Valletta. The Bottom Six phase will include Sliema Wanderers, Hibernians, Birkirkara, Żabbar St Patrick, Tarxien Rainbows and Mosta.
