GŻIRA UNITED 2
B. Borg 17
A. Borg 55
MOSTA 1
Goncalves 54
GŻIRA UNITED
E. Colombo, D. Abela, A. Borg, B. Borg (78 K. Bastic), A. Penha da Costa, C. Failla, L. Riacos, I. N’Sa Chrisnovic, D. Xuereb (87 M. Van de Bovenkamp), J. Bonilla (87 S. Martinez), M. Stojanovic.
MOSTA
J. Demba, N. Portelli (74 N. Agius), G. Goncalves, K. Zammit, J. Dias, A. Kozic (46 P. Chibuzor), C. Oderinde (74 S. Eikwu-Ojo), S. Willian (64 S. Zibo), P. Cacho Alves, J. Vassallo (85 Z. Brincat), L. Fernandes.
Referee: Glen Tonna
Yellow cards: Bonilla, Oderinde, Cacho,
Gzira booked a place in the semi-finals after a hard-fought win over Mosta.
The Maroons signalled their intent early on.
After just 12 minutes, Brooklyn Borg threaded a perfectly weighted through ball to Andrew Borg. The nippy midfielder found himself one-on-one with Mosta goalkeeper Jorgen Demba, but the goalkeeper stood tall, producing a crucial block.
Five minutes later, Gżira made their dominance count.
The move began deep, with Luis Riascos launching a long ball forward toward Andre Costa de Penha. With composure, Costa de Penha squared the ball into the path of Josue Bonilla Calderon.
Though the striker appeared to lose control while attempting to dribble past Salomao Willian, he managed to slide the ball right at the vital moment. Waiting in space was Brooklyn Borg, who unleashed a rising drive that rocketed into the top corner beyond Demba’s reach.
A finish of real quality that handed Gżira a 1–0 lead.
Stung by the setback, Mosta responded with urgency. Nevin Portelli came close after being picked out unmarked at the far post by Giancarlo Goncalves, but his effort was struck straight at Eduardo Colombo, who gathered comfortably.
Gżira continued to threaten as the half wore on. On 35 minutes, Riascos tried his luck from distance, forcing Demba into a two-step save.
Mosta nearly carved out an equaliser when Portelli burst down the left flank, leaving Isemoli N’Sa Chrisnovic trailing in his wake. Yet, after an impressive surge, his final attempt drifted high at the far post, a missed opportunity that summed up Mosta’s frustrating half.
Mosta came out strongly after the break and nearly restored parity on 52 minutes. Giancarlo Goncalves produced a dazzling solo run, weaving past his markers before drilling a low drive that cannoned off the upright.
Two minutes later, however, Goncalves made amends in style. Awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position, he curled a looping effort over the wall and in at the near post, leaving Edoardo Colombo rooted as Mosta drew level.
The celebrations were short-lived. Gżira responded almost immediately, with Andrew Borg unleashing a thunderous strike from fully 30 metres that flew past Jorgen Demba to restore the Maroons’ advantage in spectacular fashion.
Clayton Failla then came close to extending the lead, whipping in a dangerous inswinging corner that forced Demba to react sharply, the goalkeeper doing well to block and keep Mosta in contention.
Prince Chibuzor proved a constant menace after switching flanks. Operating from the left, he breezed past Duncan Abela with a powerful run before squaring for Goncalves, but the Brazilian midfielder was denied by an alert Colombo who anticipated the danger.
Mosta refused to surrender. Eight minutes from time, Goncalves lofted the ball toward Chibuzor, who controlled it on his chest and struck first-time, only to see Colombo once again equal to the task with a vital block.
Throwing caution to the wind, the Blues introduced Zachary Brincat for Jake Vassallo in a final push. Nathan Agius delivered an inviting cross from the right, but Chibuzor’s header drifted wide of the target.
Gżira had a golden chance to seal their passage to the FA Trophy semi-final when Andre Costa de Penha squared for Stasa Bastic, yet with the goal at his mercy, he sent his effort inexplicably wide.
There was still time for one last twist. Leonardo Fernandes floated a free-kick toward Simon Zibo, who found himself in space but blazed his effort over the bar with the goal gaping.
There was still time for a dramatic final twist. Deep into stoppage time, Mosta laid siege to the Gżira goal and saw the ball dramatically cleared off the line. Furious appeals followed, with Mosta coach Joseph Grech urging a FVS review, insisting the ball had crossed the line.
After a tense delay, referee Glen Tonna consulted the monitor and confirmed his original decision – no goal – waving play on to the dismay of the Blues bench.
Moments later, the final whistle sounded, confirming Gżira’s hard-fought victory and booking their place in the semi-finals after a contest packed with drama until the very end.
