RKS Raków Częstochowa of Poland came back from a goal down to beat Valletta 3-1 in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round at the Miejski Stadion Piłkarski “Raków” in Częstochowa on Thursday.
The Citizens stunned their opponents, who had reached the round of 16 in last season’s UEFA Conference League, with a goal mid-way through the first half but after conceding the equaliser early in the second half, they had the opportunity to regain the lead when they were awarded a penalty. Unfortunately they missed the penalty and then conceded two late goals to complicate matters ahead of the second leg which will be played in a week’s time at the Centenary Stadium. A clash with Hammarby of Sweden or Anderlecht of Belgium awaits the qualifying side.
Valletta coach Thane Micallef handed new signings Manuel Morello and Alex Tanque a start, including Roko Prša, Petar Sekulovic, Bruno Gomes, Ermin Bicakcic and the returning Keyon Ewurum as substitutes.
The hosts made their intentions clear right from the start but Valletta managed to take the lead on 23 minutes. Thaylor delivered a cross from the right and Manuel Morello beat goalkeeper Kacper Trelowski with a great first time effort.
Rakow went close to equalising six minutes from the end of the first half when Mahir Emreli’s effort beat goalkeeper Adilson Maringa but Diogo Tavares cleared the ball off the goal line with a header.
However, eight minutes in the second half, Rakow were not to be denied when off a cross. by Patryk Makuch from the right, attempts by Ameyaw and substitute Pienko were blocked in style by the Valletta goalkeeper but Mahir Emreli gained possession and placed the ball at the back of the net.
Valletta had a golden opportunity to regain the lead on 71 minutes when referee Kadir Saglam ordered a penalty after Makuch handled the ball in an attempt to anticipate Diogo Tavares; however from the penalty spot, Petar Sekulovic hit high.
Rakow were now brimming with confidence and made it 2-1 on 78 minutes when following a good move by Emreli and Pienko, Patryk Makuch beat Maringa with a shot from the edge of the area.
The hosts increased the lead further on 90 minutes with Stratos Svarnas heading the ball home following a cross by Makuch from the right.
RAKOW Kacper Trelowski, Stratos Svarnas, Oskar Repka, Fran Tudor, Patryk Makuch, Vladyslav Kochergin, Mahir Emreli (82’ Adam Basse), Michael Ameyaw (72’ Erick Ouma), Jean Carlos (82’ Jakub Jendryka), Bogdan Racovitan, Adin Molnar (46’ Tomasz Pienko).
VALLETTA Adilson Maringa, Mattias Ellul, Andrea Zammit (60’ Roko Prša), Brandon Paiber (61’ Petar Sekulovic), Jake Azzopardi, Diogo Tavares, Alex Tanque (68’ Keyon Ewurum), Emmanuel Moise Mbende, Sava Radic, Thaylor (80’ Bruno Gomes), Manuel Morello (80’ Ermin Bicakcic).
Referee: Kadir Sağlam TUR
Assistant referees: Anıl Usta, Mehmet Salih Mazlum TUR
Fourth official: Omer Faruk Turtay TUR