Meridianbet FA Trophy 2024/2025 – Round of 16
Zurrieq…….……0
Naxxar Lions….4
Naxxar Lions from the 360 Sports Malta Premier League booked their spot in the quarterfinals of the Meridianbet FA Trophy with a commanding 4-0 victory over Zurrieq, who currently compete in the BOV Challenge League. The scoreline could have been even more convincing, as Naxxar dominated the match from start to finish, leaving little room for their opponents to respond.
The Lions wasted no time asserting control, opening the scoring in the 8th minute. Brazilian forward Maicon De Souza Da Silva struck a beautiful shot from outside the box on the right side, finding the back of the net to make it 1-0. Just four minutes later, Naxxar doubled their lead through a header by Bacary Sane following a corner from the right, calmly heading home to make it 2-0.
Naxxar kept piling on the pressure, and by the 23rd minute, they scored their third goal. Maicon De Souza Da Silva once again found space on the right flank, cutting inside and firing a low shot past Zurrieq goalkeeper Natan Stone, extending the lead to 3-0.
The Lions had a golden opportunity to make it 4-0 just before halftime, but Edward Bolanos Angulo missed the target, shooting high after receiving a well-placed pass from Carliho Zamoranho. Despite the missed chance, Naxxar went into the break comfortably leading.
Naxxar wasted little time after the restart to further extend their lead. Just two minutes into the second half, a handball by a Zurrieq defender inside the box gave Naxxar a penalty. Hugo Dos Santos Coelho stepped up and calmly converted from the spot, making it 4-0 in the 47th minute.
From that point, Naxxar managed the game well, maintaining possession and denying Zurrieq any meaningful chances to get back into the game. Despite Zurrieq making several substitutions, they couldn’t create any significant attacking threat.
Referee: Joseph Scerri
Team Lineups:
Zurrieq:
N. Stone, O. Vella (57′ S. Bezzina), E. Camilleri (57′ X. Portelli), A. De Barros, E. Atkins (64′ P. Tenebe), L. Vella (64′ M. Bah), B. Ihuomah, K. Chircop (88′ S. Farrugia), J. C. Buttigieg, S. Darmanin (C), D. Borg
Naxxar Lions:
A. Fenech, N. Micallef, B. Sane, N. Pace Cocks (52′ M. Fenech), E. Bolanos Angulo (46′ K. Haber), R. G. Cassar (C), H. Dos Santos Coelho, H. Correia Martins, M. De Souza Da Silva (46′ G. Bonanno), F. Barbosa Pereira (61′ L. Hernandez), C. Zamoranho (46′ J. Bonanno)
With this comprehensive win, Naxxar Lions march confidently into the FA Trophy quarterfinals, while Zurrieq will reflect on what could have been in a difficult and one-sided encounter.
