After a 3-1 win over Valletta FC, FC Utrecht is placed for the third qualifying round of the Europa League. In an atmospheric Mandemakers stadium in Waalwijk the Utrecht team dominated the 23 fold champions of Malta.

Who else than the captain, you would say. Who else than Willem Janssen who scored the second, the redeeming feeling, goal against Valletta FC. The defender came to the box for a corner and put everything he had into a header. The result? An unstoppable ball, a goal. FC Utrecht 2-0 Valletta FC.

A Labyad pearl
At that moment there were fifteen minutes left to play in the Mandemakers Stadium in Waalwijk and the game seemed decided. For those with doubt left, Zakaria Labyad put an end to those doubts. He scored an absolutely fabulous goal about seven minutes later. From a nearly impossible angle he fired the ball into the upper corner. Goalkeeper Henry Bonello only heard something pass and could tell from the reaction of the Utrecht supporters that it was a goal: 3-0. Game decided, case closed.

Firing shot by Klaiber
The first goal of the evening was also a beauty. That was a goal scored by Sean Klaiber. The rightback came up, got the ball at his feet and then? Bam! An awesome shot, a great goal: 1-0. In his fortieth official game for FC Utrecht Klaiber scored his first goal for the team. What followed was an Utrecht party in Waalwijk.

Utrecht party in Waalwijk
The party continued to grow after the 2-0 and was complete after the 3-0. And then Valletta scored the 3-1, just before the final whistle. The result?Ten seconds of silence in the Mandemakers Stadium and then the party continued. Because FC Utrecht played a good game and is through to the next round in the Europa League!

Next opponent: Lech Poznan
In the third qualifying round of the Europa League FC Utrecht meet Lech Poznan. The home game is on Thursday July 27th and starts at 19.00 in Stadium Galgenwaard. As soon as possible, probably Friday morning, more information about the ticket sale will follow.

FC Utrecht - Valletta FC 3-1 (1-0)
18. Sean Klaiber 1-0
76. Willem Janssen 2-0
83. Zakaria Labyad 3-0
88. Malano Santiago 3-1

Yellow cards: Willem Janssen (FC Utrecht), Michael Mifsud and Joseph Zerafa (both Valletta FC).

Attendance: 5,500.

Referee: Ian McNabb.

Line-up FC Utrecht:
David Jensen; Sean Klaiber, Mark van der Maarel, Willem Janssen, Edson Braafheid (86. Urby Emanuelson); Wout Brama (85. Ramon Leeuwin), Sander van de Streek, Yassin Ayoub, Zakaria Labyad; Gyrano Kerk (62. Cyriel Dessers), Simon Makienok.

Line-up Valletta FC:
Henry Bonello; Uchenna Umeh, Steve Borg, Ryan Camilleri, Joseph Zerafa (87. Jean Borg); Malano Santiago, Juan Cruz Gill, Claudio Pani; Romeu (58. Roderick Briffa), Maximiliano Velasco, Michael Mifsud (71. Kyrian Nwoko).