Winning the Super Cup, Valletta crowned a successful calendar year by claiming their third trophy at stake. On the other hand Balzan had another close shave and once again failed to make history by winning their first ever honour.
Both sides had one change from their last outing. Balzan replaced Sean Cipriott with Dale Camilleri and Valletta replaced Jean Borg with Miguel Angel Alba.
It was a balanced final, scrappy at times with practically no shot at goal, apart from the three goals scored in the whole ninety minutes. Valletta were always in control but Balzan held their ground and were never boxed in their area
On the 9th minute, Valletta were lucky to take the lead when off a cross by Miguel Angel Alba from the right, Michael Johnson, pressed by Bojan Kaljevic, deflected the ball into his own net.
Balzan failed to react and Valletta controlled with ease and the match just failed to lift off.
On the 21st minute, Steve Borg just failed to connect to a free-kick from the left taken by Miguel Angel Alba .
On the 29th minute, Valletta threatened Balzan again when Miguel Angel Alba fired a shot from a direct free-kick that finished slightly over.
On the 36th minute Balzan equalised when ALEX DA PAIXAO ALVES (Lecao) took full advantage of an erratic pass by Enmy Pena Beltre, when pressed by Uros Ljubomirac, and unleashed a beautiful shot from an acute angle that gave goalkeeper Henry Bonello no chance.
During the remaining minutes, Valletta held the initiative, but could not penetrate Balzan’s defense with the first half ending in a 1-1 draw.
At the beginning of the second half, Balzan were forced to replace Justin Grioli with Steven Bezzina. Although Valletta held the initiative goalkeeper Steven Sultana was never tested and the match remained scrappy with both defenses cancelling each other’s efforts.
On the 77th minute, in the only opportunity of the second half, Miguel Angel Alba sent a good cross from the right and with MARIO FONTANELLA connecting, heading the ball to score the winning goal from close range.
Balzan failed to react and thus Valletta’s lead was never threatened.
At the end Valletta were presented with the Super Cup to the delight of their supporters.
VALLETTA : Henry Bonello, Jonathan Caruana, Steve Borg, Santiago Malano, Matteo Piciollo, Enmy Pena Beltre, Raed Ibrahim Saleh, Rowen Muscat, Miguel Angel Alba (Kyrian Nwoko 85’), Bojan Kaljevic (Jean Borg 81’), Mario Fontanella (Nicholas Pulis 90+1’).
BALZAN : Steve Sultana, Justin Grioli (Steve Bezzina 46’), Dale Camilleri (Andrija Majdevac 76’), Nenad Sljivic, Alex da Paixao Alves, Michael Johnson (Lydon Micallef 87’), Alfred Effiong, Uros Ljubomirac, Ivan Bozovic, Elkin Serrano Valero, Carlos Eduardo de Fiori Mendes..
Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann