TARXIEN-1, VALLETTA-3
(after extra-time; 90 mins – 1-1)
Valletta will meet rivals Floriana in the final of the National League 100 Anniversary Cup after they battled past Tarxien Rainbows in a dramatic semi-final which, like the preceding match, was decided with two goals in extra-time.
Valletta dominated the first half but they were denied time and again by Anthony Curmi, the Tarxien goalkeeper. Curmi produced a string of excellent saves, including two from point-blank headers by Terrence Scerri and Roderick Briffa.
Late in the first half, Tarxien defender Everton almost committed an own goal as his sliced clearance from Luke Dimech’s cross came off the crossbar. The Citizens continued to dominate after the change of ends.
Their efforts were rewarded 20 minutes into the second half, captain Gilbert Agius finally beating the outstanding Curmi with a dipping header after the Tarxien goalkeeper had pawed away Michael Mifsud’s screamer.
Valletta looked well on course to win but they suffered a blow when Tarxien equalised in stoppage time, Justin Grioli tapping home from close range after Ryan Grech’s shot had come off the post. Having been in command for so long, Valletta now found themselves on a par with the never-say-die Tarxien and facing an additional 30 minutes.
Seven minutes into extra-time Valletta regained their lead, Michael Mifsud driving home from close range after exchanging passed with Doding Priso.
Valletta secured victory five minutes from the end of extra-time when Priso scored from the penalty spot after his run had been illegally stopped by Magro. The Tarxien midfielder was sent off a few minutes later for a late tackle on Valletta’s Cameroonian winger as the Rainbows finished the match with nine men after Andrew Decesare had limped out injured.
Mosta-1, Floriana-3
(after extra-time; 90 mins - 1-1)
Floriana will contest the final of the National League 100 Anniversary Cup after beating Mosta 3-1 in extra-time in the first semi-final at the National Stadium.
Mosta enjoyed a flying start as they took the lead after just four minutes. Mark Briggs swung in a teasing cross from a right-wing free-kick and the unchallenged Lee Grima headed past Bernard Paris from close range.
The rest of the first half offered few notable chances with Floriana struggling to get their passing game off the ground. Floriana upped the tempo in the second half.
Sacha Borg produced a teasing cross-shot that came off the crossbar and Ryan Darmanin’s rising shot was beaten away by Jonathan Debono, the Mosta goalkeeper.
The Greens’ pressure procured an equaliser eight minutes from time thanks to substitute Mark Spiteri who beat Debono with a low shot from just inside the box.
With the score tied at 1-1 at the final whistle, the game went into extra-time. In the final minutes of the first half of extra-time, Mosta wasted a great chance to move ahead when Briggs’s penalty, given for a handball by Pablo Doffo, was saved by Paris.
Floriana all but sealed their passage tothe final when Michael Ghebru, running onto a pass from Ryan Darmanin, scored with a low shot.
The Greens added a third deep into stoppage time when Darmanin converted a penalty, given after Debono tripped the onrushing Ghebru inside the box.