Luxol St Andrews secure historic Elite Round berth in UEFA Futsal Champions League

Luxol St Andrews became the first Maltese team to reach the Elite Round of the UEFA Futsal Champions League when they brushed aside Dutch side Hovocubo 5-1 in their second match of the mini-tournament.

As the scoreline shows, the Malta champions were a class above their Dutch opponents as they dominated the match from start to finish to secure the three points that lifted them to second place in the group on four points and assure themselves of a top-three finish.

Luxol will now round their commitments when they face European champions Barcelona on Saturday in their final match.

Luxol were off to a flying start as they took the lead inside the first 30 seconds.

Veve burst past two defenders before he teed up the unmarked Maikinho who stabbed the ball into an empty net.

The home side remained in control and they doubled their lead after seven minutes of play when Dejan Bizjak’s shot was deflected by Hovocubo defender Lahcen Bouyouzan into his own net.

The Malta champions were in complete control for much of the first half and had more chances to extend their lead.

On the other hand, Hovocubo were unlucky with two minutes left when Abdessamad Attahiri’s shot hit the bar.

Luxol all but wrapped their win just before half-time when they were awarded a free shot and Bizjak unleashed a powerful drive that flew into the net.

After the break, Luxol were boosted when Hovocubo skipper Mats Velseboer was shown the red card, leaving his team with a player less for two minutes.

The Maltese side soon made their numerical advantage count when Fumasa made it 4-0.

Hovocubo did manage to pull a goal back through Abdelmouhaimin Amghar.

But that was a temporary reprieve for the Dutch side as Luxol sealed their win with a fifth goal from the excellent Maikinho.