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Jubilee Cup: Valletta 2 Tarxien R. 0

03/12/2025

Valletta scored two second half goals to see off Tarxien Rainbows 2-0 and reach the final of the Malta FA Jubilee Cup.

It was no easy match for the Citizens as they found it difficult to penetrate the Tarxien rearguard, but after being unlucky to hit the woodwork during the first half, they managed to finally find the breakthrough through Yuri Messias before Brandon Paiber sealed the points in stoppage time.
Thane Micallef named the same starting XI that faced Ħamrun Spartans.

On the other hand, Tarxien coach Jacques Scerri opted for three changes from the team which defeated Marsaxlokk on penalties as Willian Salomao, Luke Anthony Borg and Jai Quitongo made way for Miguel D’Alessandro, Tiago Santos and Erico Junior.
The Citizens had the first attempt at goal on seven minutes with Messias, served by Steve Borg, having a long-distance effort ending just wide.
Tarxien went close with a Rafael Tavares header but Valletta threatened once again with a low effort by Shaft Brewer from the edge of the area, saved by goalkeeper Miguel Spiteri.
Erico Junior tried his luck with a free kick from the right ending high on 20 minutes.
But one minute later, the Citizens were unlucky not to take the lead when Andrea Zammit served Messias who concluded a good move with a shot from inside the area which hit the foot of the upright.
Gabriel Vella tested Adilson Maringa with an angled shot from the left off a cross by Erico Junior but Valletta went close once again on 37 minutes with a corner from the right by Evandro Gomes which was not held by goalkeeper Spiteri, with the ball ending in a corner.
Substitute Thaylor had a shot from the right saved by Spiteri on 47 minutes and five minutes later, a Sava Radic effort was also parried by the Tarxien custodian.

The Citizens were reduced to ten men on 55 minutes when Neil Micallef was sent off after picking a second yellow card for a foul on Erico Junior.
However, on 70 minutes, Valletta managed to take the lead. Thaylor provided the assist from the right and Messias slotted the ball past goalkeeper Spiteri.
Andrea Zammit concluded a good run on the left with a shot from outside the area ending high on 74 minutes.
A minute later, Tarxien were also reduced to ten men after Rafael Tavares was sent off following a dangerous tackle on Messias.
Three minutes from time, Valletta challenged the referee’s decision not to award a penalty as Yannick Yankam ended on the ground when challenged by Miguel D’Alessandro and Luke Anthony Borg but the referee confirmed his decision following FVS review.
Five minutes in added time, Valletta sealed the issue with a second goal. Thaylor beat Sheldon Mizzi on the run and delivered a perfect pass for Brandon Paiber, who hit home past Spiteri.
Two minutes later, Jai Quitongo beat goalkeeper Adilson Maringa following a great move by Tavinho but the goal was disallowed following FVS review for a foul by the latter on Shaft Brewer.

Source: Times of Malta

VALLETTA: A. Maringa, S. Borg, A. Zammit (K. Ewurum), B. Paiber, J. Azzopardi (Z. Cassar), Y. Yankam (90 J. Mendoza), S. Brewer, N. Micallef, Y. Messias, S. Radic, E. Gomes (T. Aldama).

TARXIEN R: M. Spiteri, M. D’Alessandro, T. Santos (Tavinho), E. Junior (Nhayson), G. Vella (L. Borg), S. Mizzi, K. Donsu (C. Murici), R. Tavares, W. Bahia (J. Quitongo), A. Vella, M. Grima.

Referee: Matthew De Gabriele

Yellow Cards: S. Borg, N. Micallef (V), S. Mizzi (T).

Red cards: N. Micallef (V), Tavares (T).