Birkirkara secure FA Trophy semi-final spot

Birkirkara joined holders Valletta, BOV Premier League leaders Hibernians and Qormi in the semi-finals of the FA Trophy, sponsored by the Attian Group, following a 3-0 win over Pietà Hotspurs at the Hibernians Stadium on Saturday.

Dutch striker Nassir Maachi scored twice for the Stripes as he was included in the starting line-up by coach Paul Zammit for the first time.

Zammit could not count on Brazilians Eliandro, Rafael Ledesma and Liliu as they were all ruled out injured.

The Stripes managed to take the lead on the 12th minute when off a cross by Shola Shodiya, Nassir Maachi headed home past goalkeeper David Cassar.

Shola Shodiya was unlucky to hit the posts with a header off a cross by Maachi mid-way through the second half but on the 76th minute, Edward Herrera served Shola Shodiya whose assist for the unmarked Nassir Maachi saw the Dutch striker hitting home from close range.

Maachi could have added another a few minutes later but hit the posts with a good header when served by Zach Muscat but eight minutes from time, substitute Kurt Zammit sealed the issue when he advanced on the left before hitting past goalkeeper David Cassar.

B’KARA Justin Haber, Ryan Scicluna (70′ Edward Herrera), Nikola Vukanac, Mauricio Mazzetti, Haruna Shola Shodiya, Nassir Ahmed Maachi (80′ Kurt Zammit), Paul Fenech (87′ Leon Muscat), Zach Muscat, Rowen Muscat, Ryan Camenzuli, Edmond Agius.
Subs not used: Ini Etim Akpan, Matheus Bissi da Silva, Gareth Sciberras, Antoine Borg.
Coach: Paul Zammit

PIETÀ David Cassar, Cain Attard, Christian Grech, Leonardo Fortunato dos Santos, Jurgen Pisani, Orosco Anonam (46′ Dylon Agius), Kyle Cesare (71′ Luke Micallef), Rafael Rodrigues da Silva, Charles Newuche Nnameka (66′ Joao Gabriel da Silva), Claudio Frances, Ricardo Costa.
Subs not used: Miguel Montfort, Karl Micallef, Ayrton Mizzi, Neil Pace Cocks.
Coach: Noel Coleiro

Referee: Giorgi Kruashvili (GEO)
Assistant Referees: Levan Varamishvili, Besik Chichinadze (GEO)
Fourth Official: George Vadachkoria (GEO)
Yellow Cards: Anonam, Cesare, Agius, Leo Fortunato, Gabriel, Attard