Hibernians won the second edition of the Gozo Cup after defeating Hamrun Spartans 2-0 in the final which was played on Sunday at the Gozo Stadium.
It was Brian Fairbairn who put the Paolites ahead on 16 minutes with a shot half height after rounding a defender. Triston Caruana doubled the score on 76 minutes when he received a cross from the right by Fairbairn and beat goalkeeper Andrea Cassar with a good shot.
After the game, Parliamentary Secretary for Consumers, Fair Competition, Local Councils and Public Dialogue Dr Chris Said presented the trophies to the captains.
Before the game, a one-minute silence was observed for former Hibernians and Malta coach Joe Attard and former Birkirkara, Hibernians and Malta player Charles “Dunda” Micallef, who passed away on Saturday and Friday respectively.
Photos: Copyright © Joseph Mercieca (Gozo Vision Studio)
HAMRUN: A. Cassar, D. Milovic, M. Grima, R. Mangion (G. Debattista), D. Shields (N. Chiper), M. Pereira, D. Falzon (C. Cardona), G. Spiteri, J. Vukanic (G. Azzopardi), D. Camilleri, S. Bonnici (L. J. Agius).
HIBS: D. Balzan, J. Pearson (M. Gauci), M. Clarke, P. Osei, A. Taki, B. Fairbairn (K. Tanti), P. Mc Manus, W. Cosenza (R. Duca), D. Sammut, M. Tabone, T. Caruana (C. Briffa).
Referee: Adrian Azzopardi
Assistant Referees: Joe Camilleri, Alan Camilleri
Valletta secured third place after defeating eternal rivals Floriana 1-0.
Denni Rocha Dos Santos scored the all-important goal for the Citizens on 59 minutes when he entered the penalty area from the left, beating goalkeeper John Agius with an angled shot.
VALLETTA: N. Vella, K. Magro, K. Scicluna, I. Azzopardi, G. Agius (K. Psaila), I. Zammit (K. Sammut), E. Agius, O. Temile (D. D’Agostino), D. Dos Santos, A. Anderson (K. Azzopardi), R. Dos Santos.
FLORIANA: J. Agius, B. Said (C. Grech), M. Micallef, D. Pisani, T. Farrugia, S. Borg, T. Paris, J. Borg (L. Casha), B. Farrugia (M. Gauci), I. Woods (C. Dalli), C. Caruana.
Referee: Kevin Azzopardi
Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Edward Spiteri
Gozo XI registered a fine 4-1 win over Qormi to take fifth place.
The hosts took the lead on the 9th minute with a goal by Thiago Dos Santos whose shot from outside the area beat goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia. Qormi’s reaction was immediate and levelled matters one minute later through a Josue Souza Santos header following a cross from the right.
Gozo regained the lead on 18 minutes when in a counter-attack, Milos Stojanovic released Thiago Dos Santos and off the latter’s cross, Claudio Antunes beat Farrugia. Thiago Dos Santos made it 3-1 on 25 minutes when served by Stojanovic.
The Gozitans sealed the issue on 72 minutes with another goal by Claudio Antunes whose first-timer, off a cross from the left by Mercieca, beat goalkeeper Matthew Camilleri. Three minutes later, Qormi were awarded a penalty but goalkeeper Steve Sultana neutralised Joseph Farrugia’s effort.
QORMI: M. Farrugia (M. Camilleri), J. Vandelannoite, C. Karamonolis, S. Giglio (G. Mallia), K. Ho Jung (K. Fenech), G. Chircop, J. Farrugia, L. Sciberras (G. Gesualdi), J. Chetcuti, J. Souza Santos, B. Camilleri (C. Farrugia).
GOZO XI: A. Parnis (S. Sultana), D. Farrugia, A. Simoncic (C. Sciortino), J. Portelli, F. Apap (J. Cefai), M. Bezzina (K. Mercieca), D. Stojanovic, Y. Ossukk, C. Antunes, M. Stojanovic, T. Dos Santos (R. Buttigieg).
Referee: Andre Arciola
Assistant Referees: Joe Camilleri, Edward Spiteri