Birkirkara, Hamrun Spartans, Mosta, Naxxar Lions, Sliema Wanderers and Challenge League side Marsa secured a place in the Round of 16 of the Meridianbet FA Trophy as another six matches from the Round of 32 were played on Saturday.
At the Tony Bezzina Stadium, Birkirkara defeated Balzan 2-1. Agustin Sandona put the Stripes ahead on 36 minutes. Jan Busuttil equalised on 66 minutes but Alexander Satariano notched the winner on 75 minutes.
In the Round of 32, the Stripes will be meeting Fgura United or Attard.
At the Centenary Stadium, Hamrun Spartans beat Swieqi United 5-0 to set up a clash with the winner of the clash between Lija Athletic and Zabbar St. Patrick.
Talison put the Spartans ahead on 31 minutes. Raphael Lopes doubled the score three minutes in the second half. Kairou Amoustapha made it 3-0 on 64 minutes and Joseph Mbong added another on 76 minutes with Lopes notching his double six minutes from time.
A brace by Clayton Failla paved the way for a 3-0 win for Mosta over Marsaxlokk a thte Tony Bezzina Stadium.
Failla converted a penalty on 6 minutes and another on 59 minutes with Giancarlo Goncalves sealing the issue with a third goal on 73 minutes.
Mosta will be facing Qrendi in the Round of 16.
Naxxar Lions came from behind to beat Melita 4-2 after extra-time at the Centenary Stadium.
Matthew Debattista put Melita ahead on 9 minutes but Ryan Gilmour Cassar converted a penalty eight minutes in the second half. Melita regained the lead on 64 minutes thanks to a Matthew Debattista penalty but Tara Ndao equalised on 74 minutes.
The match went into extra-time and Maicon made it 3-2 with Takuma Yamaguchi adding another two minutes in added time in the first half of extra-time.
The Lions face Zurrieq in the Round of 16.
Sliema Wanderers scored seven in the first half as they defeated Gozitan side Ghajnsielem 8-0 at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.
Mohamed Awad put the Wanderers ahead on 2 minutes and two minutes later, Simon Zibo doubled the score. Adam Magri Overend scored the third goal on 12 minutes and Zibo added another ten minutes later. Geoffrey Acheampong scored on 33 minutes and four minutes later, VIto Plut scored Sliema’s sixth. Steven Pisani converted a penalty two minutes from the end of the first half and two minutes in the second half, Russell Borg scored the eighth goal.
In the Round of 16, the Wanderers will be facing Marsa.
Marsa, in fact, defeated Pieta’ Hotspurs 5-1 in another match at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.
Renan Farias put Marsa ahead on 18 minutes. Seven minutes in the second half, Jake Engerer converted a penalty for Marsa and although Gabriel Mannino pulled one back for the Hotspurs four minutes later, Robinho scored twice for Marsa on 78 and 80 minutes and Lydon Micallef added another six minutes from time.
Round of 16 matches are scheduled for February 4 to 6. The quarter-finals should be played on March 4 and 5, the semi-finals on May 10 and 11 or 13 and 14 the final on May 17 or 18.
| Sun 12-Jan-2025 | Lija Athletic FC vs Zabbar St. Patrick FC | 11:00 | Centenary Stadium |
| Sun 12-Jan-2025 | Gudja United FC vs Gzira United FC | 14:00 | Centenary Stadium |
| Sun 12-Jan-2025 | Qala Saints vs St. Andrews FC | 14:00 | Gozo Stadium |
| Sun 12-Jan-2025 | Floriana FC vs Xewkija Tigers | 14:00 | Victor Tedesco Stadium |
| Sun 12-Jan-2025 | Valletta FC vs SK Victoria Wanderers | 16:30 | Centenary Stadium |
| Sun 12-Jan-2025 | Hibernians FC vs Zebbug Rangers FC | 16:30 | Victor Tedesco Stadium |
| Sun 12-Jan-2025 | Fgura United FC vs Attard FC | 19:00 | Centenary Stadium |
Round of 16 draws
Winner Zurrieq or Mellieha vs Winner Naxxar Lions or Melita
Winner Xaghra United or Victoria Hotspurs vs Winner Floriana or Xewkija Tigers
Winner Lija Athletic or Zabbar St. Patrick vs Winner Hamrun Spartans or Swieqi United
Winner Qala Saints or St. Andrews vs Winner Hibernians or Zebbug Rangers
Winner Pieta’ Hotspurs or Marsa vs Winner Sliema Wanderers or Ghajnsielem
Winner Gudja United or Gzira United vs Winner Valletta or SK Victoria Wanderers
Winner Marsaxlokk or Mosta vs Winner Sirens or Qrendi
Winner Fgura United or Attard vs Winner Birkirkara or Balzan