Valletta hit back to beat rivals Luxol in futsal thriller

Current champions Valletta FC Futsal showed great resilience as they came back from three goals down to beat rivals Luxol in a thrilling encounter on Thursday.  The top clash between the two title candidates attracted a sizeable crowd to the Corradino Pavilion. Luxol had a strong start, storming into a three-goal lead inside the opening four minutes. Brazilian Maicon Silva Gaiewski scored a brace and there was also a goal for George Frendo. Yet, Valletta refused to throw in the towel and reduced the gap through captain Melvin Borg. In the final four minutes of the opening half, Borg scored again and Dylan Musu levelled matters before half-time. The game remained tight and fiercely-contested in the second half, with both teams having a player sent off. Valletta goalkeeper Stefan Vella was red-carded after he handled the ball outside the penalty area and then Luxol’s Frendo received the second yellow card for a handball. Valletta scored the winning goal with Colombian Camilo Andres Gomez Vanegas starting the move and Borg concluding home to complete his hat-trick. Luxol were twice denied by the post with the last one in the final second of the match as Valletta held on to win 4-3 and maintain their perfect record this season. OTHER RESULTS Swieqi United vs UM Futsal Academy 19-1 University of Malta Students vs Pietà Hotspurs 8-4 Swieqi United vs Swieqi United U21 8-1 Birkirkara FC Futsal vs Tarxien Rainbows 3-2 Luxol U19 vs Swieqi United U21 7-5 STANDINGS Luxol, Valletta, Swieqi United 18; Birkirkara FC Futsal 15; University of Malta Students 12; Tarxien Rainbows 9; Pietà Hotspurs, Swieqi United U-21, UM Futsal Academy, Luxol U-19 3. NEXT FIXTURES Monday – 26th November, 2018Pietà Hotspurs vs Swieqi United U21 (Corradino Sport Pavillion – 20:15) Tuesday – 27th November, 2018Tarxien Rainbows vs UOM Students Futsal Team (Corradino Sport Pavillion – 20:15) Thursday – 29th November, 2018Luxol St Andrews U19 vs Swieqi United (Corradino Sport Pavillion – 20:15) Friday – 30th November, 2018Valletta vs Birkirkara (Corradino Sport Pavillion – 20:15)UM Futsal Academy vs Luxol St Andrews (National Sport School Pavillion – 20:45)