Qormi 1
Gusman 90;
Tarxien Rainbows 4
Baker 30; Pedro 93, 102; Azzopardi 109;
(after extra-time; 90 mins 1-1)
Joao Pedro scored a stunning brace in extra-time to lead Tarxien to a 4-1 win over Qormi and clinch a place in the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy.
Ayrton Azzopardi added gloss to the scoreline as the Rainbows scored three goals in 19 minutes of extra-time after suffering a last-gasp equaliser.
Tarxien had looked set to overcome Qormi after regular time as they were leading with a solitary goal by Ebiabowei Baker with a handful of seconds to play.
But, Tensior Gusman handed Qormi a lifeline when smacked a low shot into the corner of Sean Mintoff’s goal.
Tarxien made just three changes from the Valletta match, notably dropping Carlos Hevia and Daniel Zerafa to the bench as second-choice goalkeeper Mintoff was given a chance to shine.
Qormi welcomed back Kurt Magro and Clifford Gauci but Dutch striker Djamel Leeflang was not in the line-up.
Tarxien dictated matters in the opening minutes. In the ninth minute, Bruno’s free-kick was pushed around the post by the diving Jean-Matthias Vella.
Shy the half hour mark, Joao Pedro delivered an inch-perfect cross from a free-kick and while the defenders’ eyes were focused on Luke Montebello, Baker nipped in to guide a header through Vella’s grasp.
In the 34th minute, Lucky Omeruo sliced the Qormi defence open with a perfect ball to Montebello who kept his composure to fire the ball behind Vella, only to see his effort bouncing off the crossbar.
Tarxien’s flying start left no-one in doubt as to their resolve to put the result beyond their opponents’ reach as early as possible in the match.
Qormi showed little sign of being able to mount a comeback after the break. On the contrary, it was Tarxien who almost doubled their lead.
After 50 minutes, Montebello latched on to Azzopardi’s pass but his rising shot was palmed wide by the goalkeeper.
There was a distinct drop in the intensity of the game.
At death, Triston Caruana went close with a low drive which was well saved by Vella while Pedro hit the bar from close-range.
Then with stoppage time almost over, Tarxien looked in anguish as Gusman was on the right spot to stab the ball past Mintoff to send the few Qormi supporters who braved the cold weather into raptures... and send the game into extra-time.
Three minutes into the first period of extra-time, Tarxien won a free-kick outside the Qormi box. Pedro looped a ball over the defensive wall and past Vella as they soon regained the lead.
This time, Qormi found it hard to muster a reaction.
After 102 minutes, Pedro chipped a delicate lob over Vella as Tarxien were now home and dry.
There was still time for Azzopardi to poke home from another free-kick after 109 minutes as the Rainbows could now celebrate their team’s qualification.
Qormi: J. Vella, N. Ojuola, O. Sidibe, A. Cassar, C. Gauci, K. Magro, R. Micallef (85 S. Zammit), J. Peixoto (69 P. Viggiani), T. Gusman, Y. Yankam (79 G. Azzopardi), I Micallef.
Tarxien Rainbows: S. Mintoff, E. Baker, Bruno, T. Tabone Desira, T. Caruana (106 M. Caruana), B. Muscat, L. Montebello (70 A. Alves), A. Azzopardi, R. Bajada, L. Omeruo, J. Pedro.
Referee: Esther Azzopardi.
Playing today
National Stadium
St Andrew’s vs Gżira United - 18.00
Birkirkara vs Valletta - 20.00
Centenary Stadium
Għargħur vs Sliema - 18.00
Pietà H. vs St George’s - 20.15
Tedesco Stadium
Floriana vs Lija Athletic - 18.00
Hibernians vs Pembroke - 20.15