Tarxien Rainbows 4
Ribeiro 8, 114; Grioli 98; Denni 110
Floriana 1
Anonam 84 pen
(aet; 90 mins - 1-1)
Tarxien Rainbows completed the quarter-final line-up of this season's U*Bet FA Trophy after they saw off Floriana in a nervy match that produced four dismissals.
It was a fascinating cup tie. After taking an early lead through Ribeiro, Tarxien looked well on course to hold on to their advantage despite having wing-back Steve Sadowski sent off early in the second half.
However, Floriana had other ideas as they drew level six minutes from time when Orosco Anonam converted a penalty to send the match into extra-time.
But that was the Greens' only moment of joy yesterday as they ended the match with eight men after quickfire red cards to Julian Briffa, Viktor Zlydarev and Orosco Anonam and conceded three goals in the additional 30 minutes.
Floriana coach Zoran Popovic welcomed Pablo Doffo back in the fray after the Argentine missed the league win over Msida through suspension while Clifton Ciantar was only certified fit to start on the bench.
Noel Coleiro, the Tarxien coach, was without Andrew Decesare who was serving a one-match ban.
It was Floriana who created the first scoring chance after six minutes. Ryan Darmanin sped through but his shot just missed the upright.
Tarxien's strong reaction produced a goal two minutes later. Brazilian striker Anderson Ribeiro controlled the ball on the edge of the area and let fly a curling shot that soared past a hapless Bernard Paris.
Ribeiro again caused mayhem in the Floriana defence on 14 minutes when he dashed into the area and turned past Paris before setting up Denni who fired just wide.
After that early flurry, the game's intensity dropped as the Rainbows looked to administer their advantage while Floriana's strategy of sending long balls towards lone striker Darmanin was proving ineffective.
Eight minutes from the break, Floriana suffered a blow when veteran defender Brian Said limped out with a knee injury. He was replaced by Ciantar.
Tarxien went close to a second goal six minutes from half-time when Denni's curling free-kick was palmed away by Paris.
Floriana took to the field for the second half looking more determined. On 47 minutes, Doffo's free-kick was well blocked by Tarxien keeper David Cassar.
Tarxien were reduced to 10 men on 51 minutes when Sadowski received two quick yellow cards after successive fouls on Ciantar.
Despite their numerical advantage, Floriana were clearly struggling to impose themselves and had no answer to Tarxien's slick passing.
On 66 minutes, Mark Tanti should have killed the match when the Tarxien midfielder, picked by Denni inside the area, ran past two defenders but fired wide with only Paris to beat.
Nineteen minutes from time, Tarxien came close again when Ribeiro put substitute Luke Vella Critien through but the latter shot straight at the onrushing Paris.
Popovic sought to increase his team's firepower when he sent on Russian forward Zlydarev in lieu of the tiring Stefan Lijeskic.
Eight minutes from time, Ribeiro nodded the ball into the path of Denni whose angled drive was blocked by Paris.
Tarxien paid dearly for their misses as, with seven minutes left, Ryan Mintoff upended Christian Caruana in the area and a penalty was awarded. Anonam sent Cassar the wrong way to make it 1-1.
More drama was in store as three minutes from time, Floriana were also reduced to 10 men when Julian Briffa was dismissed for a rash challenge on substitute Kurt Magro.
In stoppage time, referee Kevin Azzopardi produced his third red card of the afternoon when Floriana substitute Zlydarev, who had only been on the pitch for a few minutes, was sent off after he elbowed Everton Pereira. This was Zlydarev's second red card in as many matches.
In stoppage time, Justin Grioli almost won it for Tarxien but his shot on the turn finished wide.
Tarxien kept the initiative in extra-time. On 98 minutes, Grioli won possession in midfield and powered his way forward before unleashing a powerful shot that flew into the top corner of the net.
Floriana had their third player sent off 10 minutes into the first half of extra-time when Anonam tripped the goalbound Ribeiro to leave his team with only eight players on the pitch.
The Rainbows extended their lead on 110 minutes when Denni capped an impressive performance with a curling shot that sailed into the top corner of the net.
Two minutes later, Tarxien rounded the scoring when Ribeiro profited from a defensive mix-up in the Floriana defence and tapped home from close in.
Quarter-final field
Sliema Wanderers (holders), Hibs, Valletta, Birkirkara, Ħamrun Spartans, Qormi, Tarxien Rainbows, Balzan Youths.
Tarxien Rainbows: D. Cassar, S. Sadowski, M. Caruana, D. Camilleri, G. Calabretta ('56 L. Vella Critien), E. Pereira, A. Ribeiro, M. Tanti ('80 K. Magro), Denni, R. Mintoff, J. Grioli.
Floriana: B. Paris, S. Borg, J. Briffa, O. Anonam, B. Said ('37 C. Ciantar), J. Brincat, P. Doffo, J. Borg ('54 C. Borg), S. Lijeskic ('73 V. Zlydarev), C. Caruana, R. Darmanin.
Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.
Yellow cards: Borg; Doffo; Sadowski; Grioli; Denni; J. Brincat; Camilleri; C. Borg; Ribeiro.
Red cards: Sadowski (T) 51; Briffa (F) 87; Zlydarev (F) 90; Anonam (F) 100.