Mqabba easily beat St George’s to make sure of promotion to the Premier League, where they will return to the top flight after an absence of three seasons. Mqabba made sure of promotion because if they finish equal on points with Mosta and Melita they have the better results in the direct clashes.
The match was a one way traffic affair with Mqabba a different lot form the team that lost precious points against bottom of the table side Msida. Against a depleted St George’s side Mqabba dictated matters and made sure of promotion with four goals in the first half.
After only three minutes Mqabba forged ahead when the returning John Paul Muscat crossed towards Claudio Calleja who scored with a beautiful flying header. Eight minutes later Mqabba doubled the score when German Advan Cakigi fired home direct from a freekick.
The Saints however tried their best especially in the first half and even reduced the arrears on 17 minutes when defender Marco Milutinovic fired home from close range past Calleja.
This was the Saints’ best moment as Mqabba looked uneasy as the Saints pressed for the equalizer. But on 31 minutes Mqabba put their house in order when Claudio Calleja scored a stunning goal with a first timer from the edge of the area that left goalkeeper Cilia no chance to save.
Just before the end of the first half Mqabba scored a fourth goal when John Paul Muscat beat a couple of defenders and lobbed past a helpless Cilia.
The second half was less intense with Mqabba easily controlling their three-goal advantage. Mqabba could have added further goals and had some near misses with John Paul Muscat and Mazitelli.
On 76 minutes Mqabba scored a fifth goal when Thiago Mazitelli passed towards John Paul Muscat who fired home his second goal of the day. Eight minutes from time Brazilian Mazitelli was unlucky not to get his name on the scorers’ sheet when his header slammed against the crossbar with Cilia completely beaten. The sixth goal came six minutes from time when John Paul Muscat obtained his hat trick when he dribbled past goalkeeper Cilia to score in an empty net and crown a five star performance.
And it was not over yet for Mqabba as they scored a seventh in stoppage time when Advan Cakigi fired home from a distance past a helpless Cilia in the Saints goal.
Mqabba K. Calleja, P. Grima, M. Bonnici, A. Scicluna, B. Timotic, D. Azzopardi, T. Mazitelli, C. Calleja (M. Briffa), J.P. Muscat, A. Cakigi, S. Magro (J. Debattista).
St.George’s R. Cilia, N. Caruana (A. Bonello),
D. Zahra, E. Sevasta, M. Milutinovic, L. Agius, E. Amaira, M. Barbara, R. Previ (G. Inguanez), J. Dalli (D. Zarb), J. Ruiz.
Referee Marco Borg