Valletta FC Crowned Malta Champions After Defeating Hibernians In Nervy Penalty Shootout
Valletta FC have won the 2018/19 Maltese Premier League after defeating Hibernians FC on penalties in a dramatic playoff title decider.
Taylon Marcelino put Hibs ahead after 12 minutes but Jonathan Caruana equalised for the Citizens with just under an hour played. The game went to extra-time, where Mario Fontanella put Valletta ahead in the 98th minute, before Marko Sahanek equalised for Hibs with just two minutes of extra time to be played.
The game went to penalties, where Henry Bonello saved Taylon’s strike to put the pressure on Fontanella, but the Italian striker cooly slotted home to win the game and the league for Valletta.
With 25 league victories, Valletta is now, along with Floriana, the joint-second most successful Maltese football team. Both clubs have one title less than Sliema Wanderers, who have won the league 26 times.