Sliema Hotsticks 0
Rabat 0
(Rabat win 8-7 on penalties)
This was a typical cup tie played with both teams effecting tight marking in midfield.
The semi-final developed into a ding-dong battle which produced a stalemate that only resolved itself in an exciting penalty shoot-out.
Sliema Hotsticks enjoyed territorial advantage but both teams did not avail themselves of a penalty corner awarded to either side around the 11th minute. Play continued to be robust and chances were few and far between.
Hotsticks were awarded two other penalty corners which they failed to convert.
The second half continued in the same vein. Defensive play dominated the rest of the match and Julian Zahra just failed to put Hotsticks ahead three minutes from time.
Another penalty corner won by Hotsticks went abegging and the final whistle sounded with the score unchanged, sending the game into extra-time.
The tie petered out with both sides creating very little, thus forcing a penalty shoot-out.
This proved to be exciting with the teams finishing their first series of strokes at 4-4.
Hotsticks then missed with their fourth stroke of the sudden death shoot-out while Rabat converted theirs to win the tie 8-7 on the 18th penalty stroke taken, enabling them to reach next Sunday’s Challenge Cup final.
Umpires: Reno Cremona and Shaun Mifsud.
Young Stars 2
Qormi 0
Qormi started this game exerting pressure on the Young Stars rearguard.
On 13 minutes, Edward Hughes hit a delightful reverse stick shot which was saved but subsequently Young Stars won a penalty corner and Mark Camilleri slotted home to put his side ahead.
The rest of the half was balanced, both sides probing each others’ defences without being too dangerous around the D. However, Qormi went close in the 33rd minute when Isaac Mansueto just failed to convert a cross from the right.
Two minutes into the second half Kyle Micallef hit the ball over the bar from close range after a melee inside the D.
From then on, Qormi gained a territorial edge and won four penalty corners but could not break down the Young Stars’ defence which held firm, depending solely on counter-attacks.
Qormi keeper Ramon Chircop effected a daring save in a one-on-one situation before his team enjoyed another period of sustained pressure.
But Qormi were caught out in a swift break when Mark Ellul met a cross delivered from the right by Hughes to send Young Stars 2-0 up, a lead which they held till the end.
Umpires: Robert Aquilina and Manuel Imbroll.