Valletta advance to the second qualifying round of the UEFA Youth League
02/10/2024

Valletta Youths defeated Honka Espoo on penalties in order to pass the first round of the UEFA Youth League.
The Finns opened the score in the 24th minute. Elliot Backman shot the ball, which, with a deviation, ended up in the net. The first half ended 1-0.
In the second half, Keyom Ewurum had a shot that collided with Erik Davidyan, who entered the net and made the score 1-1. The Maltese again went from below when it was the same Davidian who, in the 80th minute, scored 2-1 in favour of the Finns.
Valletta didn’t take long to respond, when Ohaka Jr made it 2-2 a minute later. Jake Azzopardi scored the goal that made the aggregate 3-3 in the first minute of extra time.
Thus, both teams had to settle the confrontation with penalties. The Maltese scored three penalties through Ewurum, Liam Buhagair, and Claude Mercieca. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Liam Frendo saved three penalties that Honka gave.
Valletta will play against Auxerre of France in the second round.
VALLETTA: L. Frendo, K. Farrugia, L. Vella (69′ L. Buhagiar), J. Baldacchino, C. Micallef (83′ L. Seychell), J. Azzopardi, D. Agius, PJ Ohaka, Z. Barbara, K. Ewurum, S. Carabott. (83′ C. Mercieca)
FC HONKA: T. Vaananen, O. Tukia, E. Backman (74′ E. Onuoha), E. Davidyan, A. Pitkanen (74′ D. Vadell), A. Ritala, P. Hautakangas (93′ N. Norhomaa), A. Goshnaw (61′ R. Kaasik), R. Singh, B. Ahokas, J. Hamalaiene.
Scorers: 24′ E. Backman, 79′ E. Davidyan (H), 52′ Davidyan (og), 81′ PJ Ohaka Jr, 91′ J. Azzopardi.
Yellow cards: 80′ K. Farrugia (V), 86′ D. Vadell (H).
Referee: M. Milanovic (SRB)