Valletta…………..2

Tarxien R…………0

Valletta secured their place in the Malta FA Jubilee Cup final after a strong second-half performance earned them a 2-0 victory over Tarxien Rainbows at the National Stadium on Wednesday.

The Citizens went close to opening the score on 21 minutes when Yuri Messias struck the base of the upright following a well-worked move, set up by Andrea Zammit.

Early in the second half, Valletta found themselves down to ten men as Neil Micallef received a second yellow card for a foul on Erico Junior. Despite the numerical disadvantage, they continued to push forward and were rewarded on the 70th minute. Thaylor delivered a precise pass from the right, allowing Yuri Messias to slot the ball past goalkeeper Spiteri for the opener.

Just a minute later, Tarxien were also reduced to ten men when Rafael Tavares was dismissed for a dangerous tackle on Messias, levelling the field.

Valletta appealed for a penalty three minutes from time when Yannick Yankam was brought down by Miguel D’Alessandro and Luke Anthony Borg inside the area. However, after an FVS review, the referee upheld his original decision and waved play on.

In added time, Valletta made sure of the win. Thaylor once again burst forward and squared a perfect pass to Brandon Paiber, who calmly finished past Spiteri to seal the 2-0 scoreline.

Tarxien thought they had pulled one back moments later when Jai Quitongo found the net after a move involving Tavinho. But the goal was ruled out following FVS intervention for a foul on Shaft Brewer.

Valletta now look ahead to the final against Sliema as they aim to lift the Jubilee Cup Trophy.

VALLETTA: Adilson Maringa, Steve Borg, Andrea Zammit (90+2’ Keyon Ewurum), Brandon Paiber, Jake Azzopardi (66’ Zachary Cassar), Yannick Yankam (90’ Jackson Mendoza), Shaft Brewer, Neil Micallef, Yuri Messias, Sava Radic, Evandro Gomes (46′ Thaylor).

TARXIEN: Miguel Spiteri, Miguel D’Alessandro, Tiago Santos (71’ Tavinho), Erico Junior (57’ Nhayson), Gabriel Vella (82’ Luke Anthony Borg), Sheldon Mizzi, Kwasi Donsu (82’ Claudio Murici), Rafael Tavares, Wallisson Bahia (57’ Jai Quitongo), Andreas Vella, Marcus Grima.

Referee: Matthew De Gabriele
Assistant Referee: Jurgen Spiteri, David Castillo
Fourth Official: Daniel Portelli