Valletta         1
FK Kukesi      1

A late equaliser dashed Valletta’s hopes of qualifying to the next round, with Kukesi’s away goal proving to be decisive. In a rather scrappy encounter, in which the strong wind played an important role, Valletta had managed to break the deadlock with a great Malano goal half way through the second half.

Valletta however failed to hold on to their precious lead with Kukesi scoring the all important goal with practically their only shot at goal. It was surely a disappointing result for the Citizens who paid dearly for the missed chances, especially in the first leg seven days ago in Albania.

Valletta should have given more yesterday, especially in the first half when they had the wing at their backs. After a promising start in search of an early goal, Valletta reduced their tempo, and maybe lost much of their possibilities.

Even after taking the lead Valletta looked rather shaky at the back, and the goal suffered could have been avoided. Joseph Zerafa, Alba and Malano were arguably the best for the local champions, who now continue their European adventure in the Europa League.

Valletta were found wanting in attack were Fontanella and Piciollo looked very far from their best form. Valletta missed a golden opportunity yesterday as Kukesi are surely not a better outfit than Danilo Doncic’s boys.

Valletta started like a house on fire winning a couple of corners and putting the Kukesi rearguard in apparent trouble. An Alba cross shot forced Frasheri to his first save and a Piciollo header went over the bar.

After the initial fury from the locals, Kukesi settled down and the match was rather cagey. Valletta had the strong wind at their backs in the first half and held the initiative for long stretches, but the Kukesi goalkeeper was rarely called in action.

On 27 minutes Piciollo tried his luck from a distance but his effort sailed over the bar. Four minutes from the break a Joseph Zerafa cross shot almost deceived the goalkeeper who turned into a corner.

No changes were made at the interval, but now Valletta had another opponent to face, the strong wind which was now in favour of Kukesi. However Valletta went on the attack with Fontanella failing to connect from an ideal position.

On 53 minutes Valletta finally produced a good move between Fontanella and Malano, with the latter’s shot going wide. On the hour Kukesi had a highly disputed indirect freekick inside the box, but Cyrbja’s shot was blocked by the Valletta defenders.

On 67 minutes Valletta broke the deadlock when Joseph Zerafa powered his way on the left flank before crossing towards Santiago Malano who first-timed beautifully home from the edge of the area, for a great goal indeed.

Valletta tried to control their opponents and operate in counter breaks. On 78 minutes a Ryan Camilleri shot from a corner action sailed over the bar. Six minutes from time the City fans were silenced when a Musolli grounder from a distance was partially saved by Bonello and Irakli Dzaria was on hand to slot home from close range.

Valletta: H. Bonello, S. Borg, R. Camilleri, M. Santiago, M. Piciollo, E. Pena Beltre, J. Zerafa (K. Nwoko 87 min), R. Saleh (J. Cruz Gill 83 min), R. Muscat, M. Alba (B. Gavrila 89 min), M. Fontanella.

FK Kukesi: S. Frasheri, Y. Shameti, A. Alla, V. Zguro (D. Spehar 57 min), S. Plaku, D. Shkodra (H. Harba 57 min), A. Cyrbja (V. Ethami 65 min), S. Rumbullaku, B. Musolli, W. Cordeiro Melo, I. Dzaria.

Referee: Igor Pajac (Croatia)

Ass. Referees: Ivica Modric, Vedran Durak

Fourth official: Fran Jovic

Scorers: Santiago Malano 67 min, I. Dzaria 84 min

Yellow cards: J. Zerafa, V. Zguro, M. Alba, S. Rumbullaku