Valletta FC’s exploits in the Jubilee Cup and the fact that they were only eliminated from the Final Four on penalties had already underlined the revival of the Lilywhites, yet the absence of European football next season could have choked their celebrations.
So, Saturday’s final against Gżira United became a roller-coaster of emotions, not only because of the prize at stake – silverware and qualification to European football – but also because it marked the farewell of their historic captain Steve Borg.
Valletta started nervously, although within the opening 10 minutes they carved out a glorious chance to take the lead when Andrea Zammit forced a smart save from Gżira goalkeeper Edoardo Colombo.
Valletta coach Thane Micallef reacts to the Trophy success.
But after that, perhaps emotions took over.
Gżira gained territorial supremacy and pinned Valletta inside their own half, deservedly taking the lead through a precise diagonal finish by Andre Carlos Penha da Costa.
Here, the Maroons completely took control of the contest.
Valletta coach Thane Micallef reacted with tactical intelligence, trying to plug the gaps at the back as the movement of Brooklyn Borg as a false nine was causing havoc in the Valletta defensive line.
“We started well and created the first chance but then Gżira took over and deservedly went ahead,” Steve Borg, who was playing his final match of his career, said.
“The coach made some tactical tweaks as Gżira were all over us, in a bid to at least stay within touching distance and avoid conceding a second goal.”
In the second half, Valletta threw caution to the wind.
Valletta president Claudio Grech speaks after the FA Trophy final.
Micallef sacrificed midfielder Yannick Yankam and introduced striker Ahmed Adebayo – and from that moment on, the Lilywhites never looked back.
Valletta found their equaliser in the 64th minute following a cleverly-worked quick corner. The ball arched towards Jake Azzopardi, who instinctively struck a ferocious first-time volley into the net.
It was a goal that perfectly encapsulated Azzopardi’s graft, courage and guts – the moment in which the home-grown talent truly came of age.
“My first goal of the season was long coming, yet it couldn’t have arrived at a better moment,” said Azzopardi, who was deservedly voted player of the match.
It capped a memorable season for the young midfielder. Although he started the campaign on the bench, Micallef gave fringe players an opportunity to shine in the Jubilee Cup and Azzopardi grabbed his chance with both hands, never relinquishing his place afterwards and even leaving established names such as Jackson Mendonza in his wake.
Valletta midfielder Jake Azzopardi speaks on his man-of-the-match performance in the FA Trophy final.
“Last year in the Challenge League I was playing regularly, so this season I was determined to fight for my place despite the arrival of more foreign players. The season did not start the way I wanted, but once I got my opportunity, I never looked back,” he added.
The winning goal from Emmanuel Mbende, which ultimately handed the trophy to Valletta, came courtesy of an unfortunate mistake by Colombo.
Yet there can be no arguments about Valletta’s merits.
“It was no fluke and it was not down to tactics or changes in personnel,” insisted Micallef. “It was all about the character and cohesion within the team. We created an incredible spirit this year.”
And the signs suggest that more home-grown hopes are already knocking on the door at Valletta.
“More players like me are ready to challenge for places in the starting XI. The future is bright for Valletta,” Azzopardi said.
An emotional Steve Borg after ending his career with the FA Trophy.
For Borg, however, the future lies away from the field of play and in plain clothes.
Asked whether this remarkable season had tempted him into reconsidering his retirement, the veteran defender remained firm.
“At the moment I am speechless. There is no club like Valletta with this character. Today was more important for the club to return to European football than for me to have a happy ending to my career,” he said.
“Perhaps we were not at our best, but we richly deserved this qualification because, after Floriana, we were the most consistent team.
“No, my decision to retire remains the same.”
Although it may feel like a cold shower for Valletta supporters, Borg closes the curtain on a glittering career with the Lilywhites, winning no fewer than five league titles and six FA trophies.
The competition, founded in 1933 following a donation from the Football Association and modelled on the FA Cup, has now returned to the Capital City for the 15th time.
Last year, in an interview on the SportsDesk podcast, club president Claudio Grech had insisted that Valletta would once again become a major force.
His words proved prophetic, although not even the most optimistic Valletta supporter could have anticipated a season quite like the one that has just ended.
“I am very pleased with what we achieved this year. We won two out of three competitions and only lost the Final Four on penalties. I am also proud of the team we built around the club – not only the players on the pitch, but also the organisation behind the scenes, whose work is often underappreciated,” Grech said.
As for next season, however, the Valletta president preferred not to look too far ahead.
“Please, let me enjoy this moment. We can speak about next year another time,” he concluded.
