Valletta 0
St Patrick's 1
O'Brien 80
Valletta's fairytale run in the Europa League came to a shuddering halt yesterday as a late goal by Declan O'Brien earned Irish team St Patrick's a 1-0 win and a third qualifying round tie against Russia's PFC Krylya Sovetov Samara.
A 1-1 draw in Dublin last week ensured that Valletta came into the second leg brimming with optimism but their dream was wrecked by O'Brien's well-taken header.
There had been little between the two teams in a turgid game that produced few scoring chances with Valletta coach Ton Caanen opting for a conservative approach aimed at keeping St Patrick's at bay, given that a goalless draw would have qualified the Citizens.
However, Caanen's gameplan was risky as one goal for St Patrick's would have seen them through. And so it proved.
Still, Valletta's chances of keeping a clean sheet and maybe hit a late goal appeared to increase when St Patrick's were reduced to ten men with 12 minutes left but the Irish side kept their cool in the sweltering heat to net the all-important goal 10 minutes from the end.
News that this match had attracted a sell-out crowd prompted many fans to head to Ta' Qali hours before kick-off.
With Doding Priso sidelined by a one-match ban, Caanen awarded a starting berth to Justin Grioli. The wing-back took up a wide position to the right of Geert den Ouden, Valletta's attacking spearhead. Dyson Falzon started on the left wing with captain Gilbert Agius and Jamie Pace manning the centre of midfield.
Jeff Kenna, the St Patrick's coach, limited himself to only one change from last week's first leg as Jason Gavin was preferred to Alan Cawley.
Caanen, looking somewhat frail after being sick for most of the week, greeted the numerous fans with a clenched fist as he set foot on the pitch of the Centenary Stadium.
St Patrick's tried to force the early tempo but it was Valletta who fashioned the first glimmer of a scoring chance. Gilbert Agius floated a dangerous free-kick into the box and Cruyff's backheader was saved by Gary Rogers.
A strong run by Pace through the middle had St Patrick's on the back foot. The Malta midfielder went for goal after exchanging passes with Den Ouden but he was closed down by Rogers.
The sizzling heat induced Slovenian referee Matej Jug to stop play for a minute or so in order for the players to drink some water.
The game was bereft of creative football for much of the opening half-hour with the consequence that scoring chances were scarce.
Seven minutes from half-time, Steve Bezzina laid the ball for Pace but the latter's shot was too central to unnerve the St Patrick's goalkeeper.
The tone of the match remained the same in the opening stages of the second half.
Eleven minutes into the second period, Den Ouden turned sharply on the edge of the box but his well-struck effort flashed wide.
At the other end, Andrew Hogg effected his first notable save of the evening when diving to his right to stop Garrett O'Connor's grounder.
Kenneth Scicluna then saved Valletta from a potentially dangerous situation when heading away a cross-cum-shot by Cawley who replaced Stuart Byrne early in the second half.
On 71 minutes, Caanen made his first substitution, bringing on Edmond Agius for Grioli.
Bobby Ryan then managed to curl a shot towards goal but Hogg was alert to block the St Patrick's midfielder attempt.
By and large, the match remained dull with both teams seemingly unable to infuse a semblance of fluidity into their play.
Twelve minutes from the end, the Whites received a boost when Darragh Ryan, who had just replaced Bobby Ryan, was shown a straight red card for tripping the goalbound Den Ouden who had been sent clear by Dimech.
However, City's joy soon gave way to despair as in their next attack, St Patrick's went ahead. Gavin made good progress on the right before whipping in a brilliant cross which was headed home by O'Brien who scored his second goal in as many games since joining the Pat's.
The Citizens, who were clearly handicapped by the absence of the pacy Priso, threatened to gain an immediate equaliser but Rogers blocked Edmond Agius's effort.
One-nil down and with only 10 minutes left, the home team had no option but to ditch their cautious approach. On came Ian Zammit for Falzon and Cruyff abandoned his libero position to provide some support for Den Ouden.
For his part, Kenna brought on another defender, Damian Lynch, and reverted to a four-man rearguard.
St Patrick's survived a scare when Harris's backward header sailed past the onrushing Rogers but the goalkeeper arched back to grab the ball.
With only two minutes left, the City players and fans yelled handsball when Lynch appeared to have hit the ball with his hands but the referee waved play on.
Valletta then went close when Gilbert Agius, again one of their best players yesterday, summoned a fine rising shot that grazed the crossbar.
Valletta laid siege to St Patrick's goal but the latter's crowded defence held sway.
Valletta
A. Hogg, J. Grioli ('71 E. Agius), R. Briffa, L. Dimech, K. Scicluna, S. Bezzina, J. Pace, J. Cruyff, G. Agius, D. Falzon ('83 I. Zammit), G. Den Ouden.
St Patrick's
G. Rogers, S. Maher ('82 D. Lynch), J. Gavin, D. Partridge, E. Stevens, S. Byrne ('58 A. Cawley), G. O'Connor, B. Ryan ('75 D. Ryan), J. Harris, D. O'Brien, R. Guy.
Referee: Matej Jug (Slovenia).
Yellow cards: Stevens; Gavin; Zammit.
Red card: D. Ryan 78.