Qormi Poiatti 2
Light Shop Sliema Hotsticks 3
(aet – normal time: 1-1)
The cautious start by both teams did not herald the exciting finale which the season curtain-raiser – the Super Cup – offered at the Corradino Complex on Sunday.
After both sides missed a chance each, Qormi won two penalty corners but were denied by Hotsticks keeper Emile Borg.
The contest then settled into a midfield ding-dong battle with little action inside the D until the 31st minute when Lukas Plaehn saved the day for Hotsticks, diving full-length to clear the ball off the line with his goalkeeper beaten.
The Hotsticks countered immediately and from a penalty corner action Qormi’s young keeper, Shamison Mifsud, effected a great save to keep the score goalless as the half-time whistle sounded.
Both teams missed a couple of sitters at the start of the second half but Hotsticks broke the deadlock on 40 minutes when Julian Zahra met a cross from the left, sending his team into a 1-0 lead.
Qormi countered but did not avail themselves of a penalty corner opportunity.
The game now flowed from end to end until the 53rd minute when Qormi drew level thanks to Juan Sarcia who picked his spot in yet another penalty corner action.
Sliema Hotsticks were denied victory when Mifsud made a double save and the full-time whistle blew with the scores level at one-all.
No one could envisage the excitement extra-time would provide for the numerous spectators present.
Qormi won a penalty corner and Keith Calleja pushed home after a prolonged action inside the D.
With three minutes to go in the second period of extra-time, Hotsticks won a penalty corner and Steve Portelli rolled the ball home to bring his side level at 2 -2.
A penalty shoot-out was looming but then the Hotsticks were awarded another penalty corner and Portelli hit a tremendous drive into the top corner of the net to put his team 3-2 ahead.
At the death, Qormi were awarded a penalty corner of their own but were unable to capitalise on the opportunity afforded.
Umpires: James Mizzi and Raymond Micallef.