Balzan, Tarxien reach U*BET FA Trophy quarter-finals after extra-time

Four players were sent off as Tarxien Rainbows defeated Floriana 4-1 in the only clash between two Premier League clubs in the second round of the U*BET FA Trophy.

The Rainbows took an early lead but the Greens notched a late equaliser after that Tarxien had a player sent off. However in the dying minutes, Floriana also had two players sent off. Noel Coleiro’s side hit three time in extra-time as the Greens had another player sent off.

Floriana had the first attempt at goal on 7 minutes. Joseph Borg released Ryan Darmanin whose diagonal shot from the right ended just wide.

Tarxien took the lead a minute later when Anderson Mendes Ribeiro managed to beat goalkeeper Bernard Paris with a shot half-height from the edge of the area.

On 15 minutes, Anderson Ribeiro concluded a good move on the left inside the area with a pass for Denni Rocha Dos Santos whose effort ended just wide.

In added time, a freekick by Anderson Ribeiro from the left ended just wide.

Floriana went close with a Pablo Doffo freekick one minute in the second half but Tarxien replied with a good run by Anderson Mendes Ribeiro who concluded just wide.

The Rainbows were reduced to ten men on the 50th when Steve Sadowski received a second yellow card for a foul on Joseph Borg and was therefore given marching orders by referee Kevin Azzopardi.

Bernard Paris performed a good save on a cute lob by Denni Rocha Dos Santos on 65 minutes and two minutes later, Mark Tanti just missed the target with a close-range effort. Ribeiro then served substitute Luke Vella Critien inside the area but his attempt was blocked by the Floriana goalkeeper. On the other side of the pitch, substitute Clifton Ciantar went close with a powerful shot from outside the area which ended just wide.

Five minutes from time, Floriana were awarded a penalty after goalkeeper David Cassar floored Christian Caruana inside the area. From the penalty spot, Orosco Anonam coverted to make it 1-1.

Two minutes later, the referee sent off Floriana defender Julian Briffa for a rough tackle on an opponent. Two minutes in added time, the Greens were reduced to nine men after substitute Victor Zlydarev was also sent off for elbowing a defender.

With the score still draw, the game went into extra-time.

The Rainbows regained the lead nine minutes in the first half of extra-time when Justin Grioli concluded a good run on the right with a beautiful rising shot which beat goalkeeper Bernard Paris.

Three minutes later, Anderson Mendes Ribeiro was brought down just outside the area by Orosco Anonam as he was heading towards goal. The Floriana captain was sent off, leaving his team in eight men.

Five minutes in the second half of extra-time, Tarxien made it 3-1 when Anderson Ribeiro served Denni Rocha Dos Santos whose fine rising shot beat Bernard Paris.

Five minutes later, following a clearance by the Floriana custodian, the ball bounced on Christian Caruana with the ball falling at the feet of Anderson Mendes Ribeiro who tapped the ball in style into the empty net.

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FLORIANA Bernard Paris, Sacha Borg, Julian Briffa, Orosco Anonam, Brian Said (42’ Clifton Ciantar), Jermain Brincat, Pablo Doffo, Joseph Borg (54’ Clyde Borg), Stefan Lijeskic (73’ Victor Zlydarev), Christian Caruana, Ryan Darmanin.
Subs not used: Jurgen Micallef, Stefano Grima, Mark Spiteri, Roberto Brincat.
Coach: Zoran Popovic Asst. Coach: Darren Abdilla

TARXIEN David Cassar, Steve Sadowski, Manuel Caruana, David Camilleri, Gianluca Calabretta (56’ Luke Vella Critien), Everton Antonio Pereira, Anderson Mendes Ribeiro, Mark Tanti (80’ Kurt Magro), Denni Rocha Dos Santos (112’ Lee Galea), Ryan Mintoff, Justin Grioli.
Subs not used: Anthony Curmi, Ryan Previ, James Shead, Ryan Grech.
Coach: Noel Coleiro Asst. Coach: Michael Church

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi
Assistant Referees: Ingmar Spiteri, Edward Spiteri
Fourth Official: Clayton Pisani
Yellow Cards: J. Borg, S. Lijeksic, S. Sadowski, M. Tanti, Denni, D. Camilleri, C. Caruana, J. Brincat
Red Cards: 50’ Steve Sadowski, 87’ Julian Briffa, 90+2’ Victor Zlydarev, 99′ Orosco Anonam

Meanwhile after eliminating Msida St. Joseph in the first round, First Division side Balzan Youths made it to the quarter-finals of the U*BET FA Trophy after defeating another Premier League side Dingli Swallows 2-1 after extra-time.

It was a rather disappointing game which came to life only in extra-time after both sides missed several scoring opportunities during the ninety minutes.

Both sides were unable to field their best formation. Dingli lacked Brazilian midfielder Andre Rocha Da Silva while missing for Balzan were Silvan Ciscaldi and Morgan Onuorah.

Balzan had the first shot at goal on the 12th minute shot by Glenn Tanti turned into a corner by goalkeeper Jeffrey Farrugia. Five minutes later, Joseph Okonkwo had a shot from close range blocked by goalkeeper Joshua Galea. On 23 mintues, Simon Shead had a shot from outside the area ending high

On 41 minutes, Peter Anizoba served Simon Shead whose goal-bound shot was cleared off the goal-line by Dino Cachia.

The two teams continued to share the exchanges after the break with the two goalkeepers hardly being tested.

Following a good run on the left by David Fenech, his cross was well-met by Simon Shead who however hit wide on 58 minutes. The same player missed an excellent chance after receiving a through pass on the right as he advanced all alone before hitting wide with a diagonal shot.

Joseph Okonkwo failed to connect off an inviting pass by Chris Azzopardi from the right on 82 minutes. On the other side of the pitch, Peter Anizoba had a shot from the right blocked by Galea a minute later.

With neither side managing to take the lead, the game went into extra-time

However six minutes in the first half of extra-time, Balzan managed to break the deadlock when Claton Caruana served Simon Shead whose powerful shot from the right beat goalkeeper Jeffrey Farrugia.

But three minutes later, Dingli levelled matters when Renato Conceicao headed the ball home following a freekick from the right by Dylan Zarb.

Four minutes in the second half of extra-time, Simon Shead was brought down inside the area. Referee Paul Caruana ordered a penalty and player-coach Ivan Zammit converted from the penalty spot.

Two minutes in added time, Renato Conceicao was unlucky to hit the crossbar with a direct freekick from the left.

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BALZAN Joshua Galea, Clint Micallef, Jonathan Francica, Roderick Farrugia, David Agius, Simon Aquilina, Glenn Tanti (87’ Ivan Zammit), Matthew Sciortino (60’ Clayton Caruana), David Fenech (71’ Aaron Agius), Peter Anizoba, Simon Shead.
Subs not used: Fredrick Tabone, Rennie Forace, Bjorn Bondin, Lydon Micallef.
Team Manager: Robert Agius

DINGLI Jeffrey Farrugia, Roderick Briffa, Clint Caruana (58’ Etienne Farrugia), Renato Garcia Conceicao, Shawn Tellus, Roderick Spiteri (65’ Christopher Azzopardi), Haruna Doda (58’ Dylan Zarb), Kurt Formosa, Christian Muscat, Dino Cachia, Joseph Okonkwo.
Subs not used: Ivan Cassar, Charlon Sammut, Victor Fiteni, David Camilleri.
Coach: Jesmond Zammit Team Manager: Mark Chetcuti

Referee: Paul Caruana
Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Malcolm Merceica
Fourth Official: Glenn Tonna
Yellow Cards: R. Conceicao, D. Agius

In the quarter-finals, Tarxien and Balzan join Hamrun Spartans and Qormi together with Birkirkara, Valletta, champions Hibernians and holders Sliema Wanderers who were awarded a bye.