VITTORIOSA STARS-2, QORMI-0

Vittoriosa Stars kept their survival hopes alive after beating Qormi 2-0 to set up a final-day decider with Naxxar Lions.

Brazilian striker Marcelo Pereira and his Colombian team-mate Oscar Guerrero scored the goals for Vittoriosa in the closing stages of a generally dull game.

It was Vittoriosa's third win on the trot as the Stars moved two points clear of Naxxar Lions who lost 2-0 to Floriana this afternoon.

Despite their defeat, Qormi, on 26 points, are mathematically safe as they are sure to finish above one of the remaining two relegation battlers.

The first half produced few chances of note. On 12 minutes, Qormi's Alfred Effiong cut in from the left before passing to Jorginho whose curling shot was high and wide.

The best opportunity fell to Vittoriosa three minutes as Oscar Guerrero's cross from the right was deflected into the path of Samir Arab who was unmarked but his scrambled attempt rolled into the hands of Matthew Farrugia, the Qormi goalkeeper.

Mario Muscat, the Vittoriosa goalkeeper, then saved Effiong's long-range drive.

Vittoriosa missed another great chance to take the lead on 33 minutes. Guerrero was again the provider as his excellent cross from the right sailed towards the far post where Marcelo Pereira who controlled the ball with his chest only to volley over.

Subdued for most of the first half, Qormi improved after the break.

After Triston Caruana headed wide from Simone Quintieri's free-kick, Leighton Grech raced clear of the back-tracking Vittoriosa defenders before hitting a low shot that rolled past the far post.

Ten minutes into the second half, another Quintieri cross, from a free-kick, was met by Effiong whose diving header flashed against the side-netting.

Vittoriosa were unlucky not to score as Guerrero's free-kick smacked against the crossbar.

Qormi might have scored themselves in their next attack as Duncan Pisani ran into the box and cut the ball back to Jonathan Bondin, who was completely unmarked but the former Valletta player mishit his shot.

With 12 minutes left, Guerrero's cross from a corner caused panic in the Qormi defence as two defenders stood off, allowing the ball to run across before deflecting it away for a corner.

Vittoriosa hit the jackpot three minutes from time. Francisco Arriagada's corner from the left triggered a goalmouth melee and Pereira was on hand to drive the ball into the net.

In stoppage time, Guerrero sealed Vittoriosa's win, the Colombian finishing off a solo move with a clinical finish.

Vittoriosa Stars forward Guerrero was named BOV player of the match.

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