Hamrun Spartans will be facing Birkirkara in the 360Sports Malta Premier Championship final on Saturday after they defeated Floriana 4-2 on penalties in the second semi-final of the Final Four at the National Stadium on Monday. At the end of the ninety minutes and extra-time, the score was still 0-0.
Apart from reaching the final, Hamrun Spartans are also assured of qualifying for European competitions while Floriana will face Sliema Wanderers in a match for third place on Friday which would determine the second team to qualify for the UEFA Conference League.
Redon Mihana tested Christoffer Mafoumbi with a powerful drive from outside the area on 7 minutes which was partially saved by the Floriana goalkeeper with the ball cleared into safety by a defender. On 23 minutes, Rapahel Lopes served Eder on the right but the Floriana goalkeeper managed to block but six minutes from the end of the first half, Bonello blocked a corner from the left by Fernandinho.
Eight minutes in the second half, a Raphael Lopes headed ended just over the bar following a fine cross by Camenzuli from the left with Floriana replying with a Kemar Reid solo effort concluded with a shot from the edge of the area ending just wide a minute later. Joseph Mbong had a shot from inside the area parried by Mafoumbi on 56 minutes.
Joseph Mbong, served on the right on 64 minutes, missed a good opportunity for the Spartans with his conclusion blocked by a defender but three minutes later, Fernandinho hit high from an ideal position on the edge of the area when served by Dunstan Vella.
Four minutes from time, Talison, served on the left by Prsa, had a close-range effort blocked by the Floriana goalkeeper and in added time, Mafoumbi came to the rescue once again, neutralising a Raphael Lppes effort.
With no goals being scored by the end of the ninety minutes, the game went into extra-time and seven minutes in the first half of extra-time, Mafoumbi blocked a Cesar Menacho effort from the right. The Floriana custodian came to the rescue early in the first half, saving a cross shot by Camenzuli from the left.
With the score remaining goalless, the penalty shoot-out had to determine which team would reach the final.
Fernandinho scored, Emerson Marcelina scored, Elvis Mashike had his attempt saved by Bonello, Jovan Cadjenovic scored to make it 2-1 for Hamrun, Gonzalo Gamarra’s effort was neutralised by Bonello with Joseph Mbong scoring for Hamrun to extend the lead.
Jake Grech scored for Floriana and Raphael Lopes did the same for Hamrun to put the Spartans in the final.