Valletta’s Abdelkarim Nafti defends possession from Leroy George, of Qarabag, yesterday. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiValletta’s Abdelkarim Nafti defends possession from Leroy George, of Qarabag, yesterday. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Valletta 0
FK Qarabag 1
Cicero 17;

A fighting display from Valletta was not enough to avert defeat as Azeri champions Qarabag eked out a 1-0 victory to put themselves in the driving seat in this Champions League second qualifying round match-up.

Qarabag's improving record in Europe allied with their substantial budget had them installed as favourites.

Victor Sciriha and Gilbert Agius, the president and coach of Valletta respectively, had spoken of the quality gap between the two squads but, while Qarabag had a slight edge in terms of fitness and sharpness, they were given a run for their money by the spirited Whites.

Notwithstanding the destabilising effect caused by the departures of a clutch of key players in the close season, the Maltese champions took to the field brimming with determination but they lacked the guile and spark to make an impact in attack.

The defensive partnership of Jonathan Caruana and Luke Dimech was solid, Ian Azzopardi did well at left-back, captain Ryan Fenech, Hugo Faria and Roderick Briffa worked hard in midfield but tired out towards the end.

But, centre-stage yesterday was taken by goalkeeper Nicky Vella.

Back at Valletta after a three-year spell with Tarxien, he looked short of confidence in the first half but grew in stature after the change of ends, effecting a series of saves to deny Qarabag a second goal that would have killed off the tie.

Vella also saved a penalty late on after Valletta had been reduced to 10 men following Ryan Camilleri's dismissal.

Agius settled on a 4-1-4-1 strategy with Lateef Elford Alliyu filling the lone striker's role and Faria anchoring the midfield.

Qarabag created their first glimmer of a chance early on, a low shot by Muarem Muarem which ended wide.

Four minutes later, Leroy did well to get behind the on-rushing Vella but Azzopardi was alert to clear the ball off the line with a sliding tackle.

A flowing counter-attack from Valletta had Qarabag on the backfoot as Abdelkarim Nafti latched on to a long ball from Ryan Fenech. His initial pass to Elford-Alliyu was blocked but Nafti was first to the loose ball only for his cross towards Shaun Bajada to be blocked by keeper Ibrahim Sebic.

Any optimism Valletta will have derived from this opportunity was dashed a minute later when Qarabag seized the lead, courtesy of a free-kick from Cicero Martinaldo Da Silva which ripped past the startled Vella.

Valletta should have equalised on 27 minutes when Faria floated an excellent through-ball to Elford-Alliyu who swivelled but his piledriver from inside the box sailed high.

Close to the half-hour mark, another ferocious shot from the distance threatened to inflict damage on Valletta as Ansi Agolli's screamer soared towards goal but the ball rattled the crossbar.

On another occasion, Leroy nutmegged Caruana and dragged in a teasing cross but Dimech used all his experience to shackle Reynaldo.

Although Qarabag were the brisker side, Valletta were coping well and drove forward with menace when they broke on the counter. This was evident when Roderick Briffa raced upfield through the middle but his looping shot was high and wide.

The Whites began the second half in bright fashion, forcing a couple of corners as they pressed for an equaliser. Elford-Alliyu ran and harried the Qarabag defenders and Briffa was producing some intelligent runs from midfield.

In a rare counter-attack, on 58 minutes, Agolli made headway on the left and crossed for Reynaldo whose central header was blocked by Vella.

The City goalkeeper then pulled off a fine save to push Leroy's close-range volley over the bar.

The hosts should have done better when, in a prolonged move, Camilleri's shot was blocked but the ball rolled to Fenech whose cross-cum-shot fizzed across the face of goal.

With 18 minutes remaining, Agius introduced Raphael Kooh Sohna, Valletta's latest signing, for Elford-Alliyu.

Qarabag threatened to apply the killer touch when Reynaldo dashed into the box to reach a long pass and held off Camilleri but his low strike was kept out by Vella.

Kooh Sohna applied pressure on Qarabag defender Badani Gusey-nov who miscued the ball but Sebic came out to avert the danger.

Valletta's comeback hopes were dealt a blow when Camilleri was shown a straight red card for a tackle in the box on Leandro.

The referee's decision was harsh as the challenge looked legitimate but justice was done as Almeida's penalty was kept out by Vella.

Valletta
N. Vella, J. Caruana, I. Azzopardi, R. Camilleri, R. Fenech, H. Faria, R. Briffa, S. Bajada (90 S. Arab), L. Elford Alliyu (72 R. Kooh Sohna), A. Nafti (85 I. Zammit), L. Dimech.

Qarabag
I. Sebic, G. Garayev (79 N. Yusifov), Reynaldo, M. Muarem (72 Leandro Dias), I. Gurbanov, R. Almeida, A. Teli, A. Agolli, Leroy (87 V. Nadirov), B. Guseynov, Cicero.

Referee: Adrien Jaccottet (Switzerland).

Missed penalty: Almeida (Q) 85.

Yellow cards: Briffa; Faria.

Red card: Camilleri (V) 83.

Played yesterday
BATE Borisov vs Skenderbeu - 0-0
Cliftonville vs Debrecen - 0-0
D. Zagreb vs Zalgiris Vilnius - 2-0
FC Sheriff vs Sutjeska - 2-0
KR Reykjavik vs Celtic - 0-1
P. Belgrade vs HB Torshavn - 3-0
Rabotnicki vs Helsinki - 0-0
S. Coloma vs M. Tel Aviv - 0-1
Slovan Bratislava vs TNS - 1-0
Sparta Prague vs L. Tallinn - 7-0
Valletta vs FK Qarabag - 0-1
Zrinjski Mostar vs Maribor - 0-0

Playing today
Dinamo Tbilisi vs Aktobe
Legia Warsaw vs St Patrick’s
Malmo FF vs Ventspils
Ludogorets R. vs Dudelange
Stroemsgodset vs S. Bucharest

Second legs: July 22/23.

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