Valletta FC        1

HSK Zrinjski      2

(Zrinjski qualify 3-2 on aggregate) 

Valletta FC: H.Bonello, S.Borg (J. Borg), R. Camilleri, S. Malano (JG Cruz), M. Piciollo, J. Zerafa, R. Saleh, R. Muscat, M. Alba, B.Gavrila (K. Nwoko), M. Fontanella.

Zrinjski: A. Soldo, M. Gali, H. Barisi, S. Pezer, P. Stojkic (A. Kadusic), O. Todorovic, M. Perisic (N. Lastro), S. Jakovljevic, E. Rustemovic, M. Filipovic (T. Jovic), B. Bilbija.

Referee: R. Obrenovic (Slovenia).

Asst refs: G. Kordez, T. Pospeh.

4th official: D. Peric.

Scorers: H. Barisic 30, S. Borg 56, M. Filipovic 66,

Yellow cards: M. Galic, S. Jakovljevic, M. Alba, S. Borg, J. Zerafa.

Red cards: M. Galic.

A gift goal on 66 minutes sent Malta champions Valletta crashing to defeat and elimination from the competition yesterday.

Hrvoje Barisic had given the Bosnians a first half lead. Steve Borg equalised for Valletta early in the second half, but Filipovic scored what proved to be the winner for Zrinjski.

The citizens had fought back admirably early in the second half to cancel Zrinjski's lead, but unfortunately goalie Bonello miskicked a harmless looking ball (there might also have been a deviation) and the 10-man Bosnians could cruise home to victory and qualification.

It was a disappointing result for Valletta who played their hearts out to advance into the third round of a European competition.

With the 1-1 scoreline from the first leg favouring Valletta, it was no surprise that Zrinjski started yesterday's match in attack as they tried hard to get the goal that would have given them an advantage.

Valletta's intentions were clear from the start as they adopted a very cautious attitude trying to keep the Bosnians far away from their area.

Zrinjski dominated the midfield sector, but Valletta also had their own good moments with Piciollo and Fontanella providing some anxious moments for the opposing defence.

The visitors stunned the Citizens with the goal on the 30th minute, but after that Valletta could have equalised on at least two occasions.

In the second half, Valletta came back strongly in contention as they scored early to equalise and when Galic was sent off they seemed to have a good chance to win, but it was not to be.

In fact, a gift goal from goalie Bonello enabled  the Bosnians to take the lead once again making it a very difficult task for the citizens as they had to score two more goals.

But the visitors controlled well till the end and they emerged winners to the delight of their noisy supporters.

The Bosnians went on attack from the first whistle and on nine minutes, following a cornerkick action, it was Milos Filipovic who went close with a fine dipper.

Four minutes later, from a Bilbija pass, it was Pezir who tried his luck from the edge of the area, but his effort went over.

On 17 minutes, Bonello had to dive to save in two attempts a low shot by Todorovic.

The first real goal scoring chance arrived Valletta's way in the 24th minute, when a defensive clearance favoured Alba, but his lob over the advancing goal unluckily went over the bar.

Four minutes later, a Fontanella low cross found no takers. Soon after, a Gavrila pass to the unmarked  Piciollo was intercepted by a Bosnian defender before the City striker could apply the killer touch.

It was Zrinjski, however, who took the lead on the 30th minute thanks to a Barisic excellent shot from well outside the area that completely beat Bonello.

Valletta had a good opportunity to equalise three minutes later when Piciollo passed to Malano who set the unmarked Fontanella, but the latter's effort was well saved by the diving Soldo.

On 44 minutes, Valletta threatened once again when Zerafa beautifully set Piciollo, but the latter's low, angled effort, went just wide.

Valletta took the game to their opponents at the start of the second half and a Ryan Camilleri effort was saved on deck by goalie Soldo.

On 50 minutes, Zrinjski finished in 10 men when Galic received a second yellow card and was dismissed.

Valletta equalised on 56 minutes. From a Gavrila fine cross, it was Steve Borg who ran in from the blind side to beat goalie Soldo with a good first timer.

Soon after, Saleh crossed low into the area, but Piciollo miskicked the ball which was easily saved by the goalie.

On 66 minutes, the 10-man Bosnians took the lead once again. Milos Filipovic let loose a harmless looking central shot from the edge of the area which goalie Bonello failed miserably to save with his feet and the ball ended at the back of the net.

This made Valletta's task harder as now they had to score twice to advance to the next round.

Zrinjski could have closed the match on 81 minutes, when after a fine move on the right flank, Filipovic sent the ball wide with only goalie Bonello to beat.