Maxuell Maia (entre) hugs Pablo Gaitan after the latter put Birkirkara ahead. Photo: Domenic Aquilina
BIRKIRKARA 2
Gaitan 25; Maia 70
FLORIANA 1
Kouros 80
BIRKIRKARA
G. Volpe, L. Cordova, P. Gaitan, T. Papazov, A. Satariano, L. Lacunza, N. Micallef, A. Coppola, S. Makoma, M. Maia, N. Agius (86 N. Cross).
FLORIANA
C. Mafoumbi, J. Grech (70 E. Mashike), J. Becerra (46 D. Vella), O. Spiteri (70 Z. Scerri), M. Garcia, G. Gamarra, F. Sasere, A. Kouro, A. Garzia, G. Yameogo, Fernandinho (63 G. Sotomayor).
Referee: Slobodan Petrovic.
Yellow cards Yameogo, Agius, Sotomayor.
Birkirkara provided the right response to their league final heartache as they scored a goal in each half to beat Floriana and reach the Meridianbet FA Trophy final.
It was a very impressive display by Birkirkara, who despite missing a number key players, they dominated the match from start to finish and book their place into Sunday’s final.
The decision of coach Stefano De Angelis to rope in Nicholas Agius turned out to be a masterstroke as the young forward provided a much-needed spark to Birkirkara’s forward line and, aided by Alex Satariano’s surging run and the clinical finishing of Maxuell Maia, they gave Floriana little respite.
Alexander Kouros’ late goal set up a frantic finale but Birkirkara held on to seal their place in the final.
Birkirkara protested for a penalty after only two minutes when Alex Satariano played in Maxuell Maia who fell under the challenge of Owen Spiteri but referee Slobodan Petrovic waved play on.
Floriana responded on nine minutes when Aleandro Garzia picked Franklin Sasere inside the area but fired over.
The match finally came to life on 25 minutes when Birkirkara took the lead.
Leandro Lazunza sent a dipping cross towards the far post where Maia nodded the ball into the path of Pablo Gaitan who lashed a shot past goalkeeper Christofer Mafoumbi.
Floriana’s reaction to that setback was rather stale as despite trying to create some sort of pressure on the Birkirkara defence, they never threatened goalkeeper Gianluca Volpe.
It was Birkirkara who threatened two minutes from the break when from a corner action Papazov’s downward header was saved by Mafoumbi.
Floriana almost equalised in the first minute of stoppage time. Fernandinho’s cross picked Sasere whose flick was kept out by Volpe with the aid of the upright and from the rebound Papazov was alert to deny Jake Grech from pushing the ball into the net.
Darren Abdilla made his first change at the start of the second half when he roped in Dunstan Vella at the expense of Jork Becerra.
Birkirkara continued to keep control of the game as their slick passing game was not letting Floriana have a sniff at the ball.
Satariano went on a surging run on 59 minutes and his cross was met by Agius who, however, was anticipated by a Floriana defender who cleared to a corner.
Floriana suffered a blow on 63 minutes when Fernandinho was stretchered off and was replaced by Gabriel Sotomayor.
Birkirkara’s positive approach was rewarded with a second goal on 69 minutes.
Matias Garcia’s attempted backpass towards Mafoumbi was deflected by Agius and the Floriana goalkeeper charged out to head the ball only into the path of Maia who lobbed the ball exquisitely into the back of the net.
Maia almost struck agin on 73 when from a free-kick action, Maia’s curling drive was pushed to a corner by Mafoumbi.
Agius almost put his name on the scoresheet on 76 minutes when he turned past his marker but his shot was somehow kept out by Mafoumbi.
Floriana kept fighting and ten minutes from time, they pulled a goal back when from a corner action, Mashike’s header fell to Alexander Kouros, who fired home.
The goal spurred Floriana into life and two minutes later Garzia’s shot was well saved by Volpe as Birkirkara held on for the win.
