Balzan, Sliema and Qrendi secure quarter-final spots

Balzan, Sliema Wanderers and First Division side Qrendi joined Birkirkara, Lija Athletic and Zejtun Corinthians in the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy, powered by Boost Diesel, as they emerged as winners in three matches from the fourth round.

At the Centenary Stadium, Balzan scored two late goals to beat Naxxar Lions 2-0.

Balzan could have taken the lead on the 20th minute when they were awarded a penalty, which also led to the dismissal of Naxxar’s Angus Buhagiar, but Bojan Kaljevic’s effort from the penalty spot was parried by Christoph Nicht.

On the 65th minute, Balzan had Alfred Effiong sent off after he received two yellow cards in a minute.

However eight minutes from time, the BOV Premier League leaders forged ahead thanks to Alex da Paixao Alves, served by Paul Fenech.

Three minutes in added time, Alex da Paixao Alves sealed the issue with a second goal.

BALZAN Sean Mintoff, Steve Bezzina (90′ Siraj Arab Eddin), Bruno Giglio de Oliveira, Ivan Bozovic, Elkin Serrano Valero, Alex da Paixao Alves, Milos Lepovic, Uros Ljubomirac (88′ Justin Grioli), Paul Fenech, Alfred Effiong, Bojan Kaljevic (90′ Jacob Borg).

NAXXAR Christoph Nicht, Angus Buhagiar, Rafael Henriques Santos Caetano, Ryan Grech, Mailson Souza Duarte Junior, Matheus Verissimo Casarotto, Manolito Micallef, Djilali Belhadj (73′ Daren Falzon), Duane Bonnici, Jean Diego Moser, Yuri de Jesus Messias.

Referee: Matthew De Gabriele
Assistant Referees: Sammy Attard, Luke Portelli
Fourth Official: Fyodor Zammit
Yellow Cards: Lecao, Lepovic, Fenech, Kaljevic, Effiong, Mintoff, Grech, Casarotto
Red Cards 20′ Angus Buhagiar, 66′ Alfred Effiong

At the Hibernians Stadium, a goal by Goran Adamovic five minutes from the end of the first half gave Sliema Wanderers a narrow win over Hamrun Spartans.

Adamovic scored the all-important goal thanks to a header following a corner by Frenci Qeros.

HAMRUN Steve Sultana, Marco Criaco, Daniel Zerafa, Karl Micallef (70′ Lydon Micallef), Guilherme Felipe de Castro, Julian Galea (62′ Arthur Faria Machado), Triston Caruana, Thiago Espindola de Paula, Tiago Souza de Silveira (80′ Davide Succi), Dale Camilleri, Alex Nilsson.

SLIEMA Glenn Zammit, Stefano Bianciardi, Frank Temile, Frenci Qeros (90′ Edmond Agius), Mark Scerri, John Mintoff, Michele Sansone (85′ Gabriel Aquilina, Matias Muchardi, Nii Nortey Ashong, Goran Adamovic, Nicola Milinceancu (80′ Peter Xuereb).

Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Assistant Referees: Roberto Vella, Duzan Petrovic
Fourth Official: Eman Grech
Yellow Cards: N. Milincenau, S. Bianciardi, M. Scerri, F. Temile, G. Zammit (S), J. Galea, M. Criaco, T. Caruana (H)
Attendance at the Hibernians Stadium: 749

At the Kercem Ajax Stadium, First Division side Qrendi defeated hosts Kercem Ajax 4-3.

Ognjen Rolovic put the hosts ahead on the 29th minute and six minutes in the second half, the same player doubled the score. Julio Cesar Souza de Martins pulled one back on the 58th minute and three minutes later, Kercem had goalkeeper Branko Vrndic sent off and Qrendi were awarded a penalty, converted by Dhonatan Santos da Hora. Qrendi forged ahead on the 74th minute thanks to another goal by Julio Cesar Souza de Martins but six minutes from time, Alen Haska equalised.

Five minutes in the second half of extra-time, substitute Aaron Agius notched the winner for Qrendi.

KERCEM Branko Vrndic, Manuel Tabone, Phil Taylor, Mario Mifsud, Andrew Mizzi, Jean Paul Mizzi, Milos Perisic, Ognjen Rolovic, Elton Vella, Alen Haska, Nathaniel Mercieca.

QRENDI Julian Azzopardi, Zach Bowman, Petar Mrvic, Luke Scorfna, Davide Martini, Emerson Amaira, Mark Barbara, Shunsuke Nakamura, Julio Cesar Martins da Silva, Kenneth Abela, Dhonatan Santos da Hora.

Referee: Daniel Portelli
Assitant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Darko Stankovic
Fourth Official: Shaun Calleja
Yellow Cards: Scorfna, Barbara, Bowman, haska, Perisic, Agius, Zarb, Taylor, Vella, JP Mizzi, Tabone, Martins
Red Cards: 61′ Branko Vrndic

2 comments

Comments are closed.