Mosta turn defeat into victory but Santa Lucia still take play-off spot

Santa Lucia will be taking part in the Premier League Play-Off along with the team finishing third from bottom despite a 1-2 defeat to Mosta at the National Stadium on Friday.

Mosta, on the other hand, joined Balzan and Hibernians in fourth place but will miss out on a possible decider for fourth place.

In fact, if either Birkirkara and Gzira United win the Izibet FA Trophy, a decider for fourth place would be necessary to determine which other team would qualify for the UEFA Europa Conference League. The direct encounters between Balzan, Hibs and Mosta would be taken into account and Mosta would be eliminated due to an inferior record with the decider for a place in European football being played between Balzan and Hibernians.

Santa Lucia took the lead on the 11th minute when off a corner by Robert Hehedosh, Rodolfo Soares headed home past goalkeeper Ini Etim Akpan.

However, six minutes from the end of the first half, Santa Lucia had Thomas Sebastian Rier sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a foul on Boubakary Diarra.

Mosta levelled matters on the 59th minute when Zachary Brincat released Christ Ememe on the right and off the latter’s cross, Michael Chidera Okoh hit home from close range.

Twenty minutes from time, the Blues notched the winner thanks to a Zachary Brincat volley from inside the area which gave Calleja Cremona no chance.

>> Mosta vs Santa Lucia match card

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