Valletta registered an impressive win on penalties over FC Honka of Finland in the second leg of the Domestic Champions path first round of the UEFA Youth League at the Centenary Stadium on Wednesday to secure a spot in the second round where they would be facing French side Auxerre.

After losing the first leg away from home 1-0, the Citizens, led by coach Johann Scicluna, needed a win to make it to the next stage.

Things seemed to be going in the opposite direction as Honka forged ahead thanks to a goal by Elliot Backman on 24 minutes. However an own goal by Erik Davidyan restored equilibrium. Davidyan restored the lead for the Finnish champions on 79 minutes but two minutes later, Peter Ohaka Jr levelled matters and one minute in added time, Jake Azzopardi made it 3-2 to force the penalty shoot-out.

In the penalty shoot-out, Valletta goalkeeper Liam Frendo turned out to be the hero for the Citizens, saving the penalties by Oliver Tukia, Daniel Vadell and Raminder Singh. On the other hand, Keyon Ewurum, Liam Buhagiar and Claude Mercieca converted.

The games against Auxerre should be played on October 23 (away) and November 6 (home).

Photos below courtesy of www.stephengatt.com

VALLETTA Liam Frendo, Kayden Farrugia, Luca Vella (69′ Liam Buhagiar), Jerome Baldacchino (36′ Kewell Fardell), Craig Micallef (83′ Lydon Seychell), Jake Azzopardi, Deisler Agius, Peter Nnaemeka Ohaka Jr, Zak Barbara, Keyon Ewurum, Shaun Carabott (83′ Claude Mercieca).

HONKA Tuomas Väänänen, Oliver Tukia, Elliot Backman (74′ Eze Onuoha), Erik Davidyan, Aito Pitkänen (74′ Daniel Vaadell), Aarni Ritala, Pietu Hautakangas (90+3′ Nuutti Norhomaa), Arez Goshnaw (61′ Robert Kaasik), Raminder Singh, Benjamin Ahokas, Jouni Hämäläinen.

Referee: Miloš Milanović SRB
Assistant referees: Miloš Tošić SRB, Nemanja Jovanovic – Džajić SRB
Fourth official: Alex Johnson MLT