Meridianbet FA Trophy – Quarter final
Gżira United FC….2
Mosta FC……………1
Gżira United booked their place in the semi-finals of the FA Trophy after overcoming Mosta 2-1 in a competitive quarter-final clash at the Centenary Stadium.
The Maroons had to work hard to see off a determined Mosta side, with the contest remaining open until the final moments as the Blues pushed forward in search of a late equaliser.
The opening minutes suggested a balanced encounter between two Malta Premier League teams. Gżira created the first real opportunity on 12 minutes when Johan Josue Bonilla Calderon advanced well into the area but was denied by Mosta goalkeeper Anse Jorgen Demba.
Five minutes later, the Maroons broke the deadlock following a well-constructed move. Andre Carlos Penha Da Costa initiated the attack, and Calderon set up Brooklyn Borg, who finished confidently from the right to put Gżira ahead.
Mosta attempted to respond midway through the half when Giancarlo Goncalves struck from distance, but sent his effort over the crossbar. The Blues remained dangerous from set pieces, but Gżira defended resolutely to keep their advantage before the interval.
The Maroons nearly doubled their lead on 36 minutes when Penha Da Costa played in David Xuereb, whose effort was blocked before Luis Carlos Riascos saw his follow-up comfortably saved by Demba.
Mosta finished the half strongly and went close through Azeer Kozic, whose powerful strike from the edge of the area flew just over the crossbar, but Gżira held a 1-0 lead at half-time.
The Blues came out with renewed purpose after the break and almost equalised on 52 minutes when Goncalves’ long-range effort struck the post. The leveller arrived moments later when Goncalves converted a free kick from a dangerous position to make it 1-1.
However, Gżira restored their lead just four minutes later. Captain Andrew Borg unleashed a superb long-range strike that beat Demba and found the net to make it 2-1.
Mosta continued to push forward in search of another equaliser and went close on several occasions. Substitute Prince Chibuzor Emmanuel tested goalkeeper Edoardo Colombo who produced an excellent save to keep the Maroons in front.
In stoppage time Mosta thought they had drawn level when a loose ball was directed towards goal, but substitute Marc Van De Bovenkamp cleared dramatically off the line. The Blues appealed for a Football Video Support review, yet play continued as the ball had not crossed the line.
Gżira held firm in the closing moments to secure victory and become the first team to reach the FA Trophy semi finals, where they will face the winner of the tie between Naxxar Lions FC and Żurrieq FC.
Referee: Glen Tonna
Line ups
Gżira United:
Edoardo Colombo, Deacon Abela, Andrew Borg (captain), Brooklyn Borg (Stasa Bastic 77), Andre Carlos Penha Da Costa, Clayton Failla, Luis Carlos Riascos, Isemoli N’Sa Chrisnovic, David Xuereb (Santiago Perlaza 87), Johan Josue Bonilla Calderon (Marc Van De Bovenkamp 87), Mihajlo Stojanovic.
Mosta:
Anse Jorgen Demba, Nevin Portelli (Nathan Agius 75), Giancarlo Goncalves, Kurt Zammit, Joao Victor Da Silva, Azeer Kozic (Prince Chibuzor Emmanuel 46), Charles Yemi Oderinde (Stephen Eikwu Ojo 75), Willian Salomao Filipe (Simon Zibo 63), Pedro Augusto Cacho Alves Da Silva, Jake Vassallo (captain) (Zachary Brincat 86), Leonardo Fernandes Joaquim Da Silva.
