Watch: Valletta relegated to Challenge League after Naxxar defeat

Mosta live to fight one last time after Balzan stalemate

NAXXAR LIONS 4

Yamaguchi 2; De Carvalho 31; Blandon 41, 65

VALLETTA 0

Valletta were relegated from the top division for the first time in their 120-year history amid tears and scenes of disapproval from their supporters on Sunday.

The Lilywhites were relegated after failing to take any points from their encounter against Naxxar at the National Stadium.

Valletta looked doomed for much of the season but their 1-0 win over Balzan last weekend, had given them a lifeline.

Juan Gill Cruz’s choice underlined his loyalty to the old adage ‘never change a winning side’ as he confirmed the same line-up that started against Balzan, which had broken a streak of 10 winless games.

At the other end, the inclusion of Edson Farias instead of Maicon represented the only change in Naxxar’s starting formation from the draw against Sliema Wanderers.

A draw for Naxxar would have been enough to confirm their Premier League status ahead of their derby against Mosta next weekend. However, it seemed that amassing just one point was not the Naxxar players’ minds.

From the onset, Valletta looked to be in for a hard time against what seemed to be a more adventurous Naxxar side. And the Lions could not have hoped for a better lift-off.

They broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion inside the first two minutes. Retrieving possession inside Valletta’s half, Takuma Yamaguchi strode forward, and outsmarted Santiago Ferraris, before unleashing a stunning drive that soared into the top corner as goalkeeper Alessandro Guarnone looked on helplessly.

Yamaguchi’s screamer, arguably one of the best goals of the season so far, had a galvanising effect on Naxxar. Neil Pace Cocks sent in a teasing low freekick from the left which was turned into a corner by the Italian goalkeeper.

Reprieved, Valletta tried to raise their efforts. Brandon Paiber swung in a cross from the right, and Federico Falcone rose over friends and foes but Lions shotstopper Matthias Debono was alert as he nudged the ball away.

Yet, Vallletta’s problems in dealing with Naxxar’s incursions down the flanks were evident again past the half-hour mark. Yamaguchi dashed forward before squaring for Augusto Pablo Carvalho who hit a rising shot behind Guarnone as the Lions kept their foot on the accelerator.

Avoiding defeat never looked likely for Valletta from the moment the excellent Naxxar made it 2-0.

In the 41st minute, Pace Cocks laid the ball for Robinson Blandon who fizzed a low shot past Guarnone and into the corner.

The rhythm dropped in the second half as Valletta looked resigned to the impending defeat and eventually relegation into the Challenge league.

Yet, there was still time for Naxar to score goal number four. De Carvalho and Blandon both turned in majestic displays as they combined well in the 65th minute with the former squaring for Blandon to light up the Naxxar stand with a bullet shot that ripped past Guarnone.

Meanwhile, Balzan and Mosta shared the spoils in a goalless draw. The two teams shared the exchanges for long stretches although Balzan had an excellent opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty towards the end of the first half.

Mosta coach Joseph Grech opted for one change from the team which defeated Hibernians last week as Tegwi Thomas Shedrack was preferred to Jamie Scerri. On the other hand, for Balzan, Ivan Bozovic and Ryohei Michibuchi were back in the starting line-up, replacing Andre Prates and Jan Busuttil.

Mosta had the first attempt at goal on seven minutes with Gustavo Chara heading just over the bar off a Nathan Agius corner from the left. On 23 minutes, a header by Evans Aneni was parried by Rudy Briffa following an Agius freekick from the right. A cross shot by Armen Havhannisyan was deflected into a corner a minute later.

Balzan replied with a good move between Ryohei Michibuchi and Aleksa Andrejic who rounded a defender inside the area only for his conclusion to be blocked by the same Japanese midfielder on 27 minutes.

Chidera Henry Nwoga tested the Balzan goalkeeper with a header off a cross by Zachary Brincat on 32 minutes as the Blues kept pushing to open the score.

Five minutes later, a cross shot by Hovhannisyan was parried by Briffa.

Balzan’s Andrejic then concluded a good run on the left flank with a diagonal shot which just missed the target on 38 minutes.

Four minutes from the end of the first half, Balzan were awarded a penalty after Jake Vassallo floored George Blackwood inside the area but the Australian forward’s effort from the penalty spot was pushed away by David Udoh Akpan.

Just before the end of the first half, a powerful long-distance shot by Ivan Bozovic scraped past the post for Balzan.

In the second half, the two teams shared the exchanges as the focus seemed to be more on avoiding conceding a goal.

Ten minutes from time, Balzan went close but Akpan once again came to the rescue, turning into a corner a fine Jan Busuttil effort.