BOV Amateur Cup Semi-Finals Review: Victoria Hotspurs and Qormi book spots in intriguing Final

Photos by Andre Farrugia

BOV AMATEUR CUP 2025/26
SEMI-FINALS

Victoria Hotspurs 1-0 Mqabba
(after extra time)
On Tuesday night at the Centenary Stadium, Victoria Hotspurs booked their place in the BOV Amateur Cup final in dramatic fashion, overcoming Mqabba with a 118th-minute winner despite being reduced to 10 men. Therefore, the Hotspurs will defend their title, as they won the Cup last year by beating Qrendi 2-1.

The Gozitan side made an early statement, threatening on 26 minutes when Shaun Attard’s direct corner forced a solid intervention from Mqabba goalkeeper Mario Bartolo. Just moments later, Brazilian striker Rondinely appeared to have a clear sight of goal, only for the referee in charge to halt play for offside. Mqabba gradually grew into the contest and nearly broke the deadlock on 38 minutes. Julian Farrugia spotted goalkeeper Steve Sultana off his line, but the Victoria custodian recovered in time to make the save. At the other end, Christian Mercieca responded swiftly, sending a powerful long-range effort narrowly wide.

Victoria Hotspurs FC 1-0 Mqabba FC - 14.04.2026 - Photo by Andre Farrugia

The second half saw Mqabba take control, carving out several promising opportunities. Farrugia again came close on 64 minutes, his well-struck effort from an ideal position pushed away by Sultana. The pressure intensified late on, with Luka Mijic’s low drive deflected behind for a corner on 80 minutes, before Jairo Andres Viveros struck the side netting from close range shortly after, momentarily deceiving the crowd.

With neither side able to find a breakthrough in regulation time, the match moved into extra time. Mqabba continued to press, with Mijic firing over from distance and substitute Misael Tabone forcing another difficult save from Sultana. Victoria’s task became even more daunting on 99 minutes when Dejan Vukovic was sent off for a foul on the edge of the area, leaving his side to play the remainder of extra time a man down.

However, against the run of play, Victoria delivered the decisive blow. Deep into extra time, Kurt Borg struck from close range in the 118th minute, sealing a dramatic victory and sending Victoria Hotspurs into the final.

Pembroke Athleta 1-4 Qormi
In the second semi final of the National Amateur Cup, Qormi faced off against Pembroke Athleta in an intriguing contest, with the Canaries honouring their favourites role with a clear 4-1 victory over the relegation strugglers. It will be the very first final of Qormi in this competition.

Pembroke Athleta FC 1-4 Qormi FC - 15.04.2026 - Photo by Andre Farrugia

As expected, Qormi started brightly and took the lead after just three minutes with a well taken goal by Emmanuel Garba. But pPEmbroke were definitely not throwing in the towel and equalized on 13 minutes through Lucas Gomes, who scored with a clinical finish.

However, Qormi did not take long to restore their lead, this time through a superb strike from outside the box by Dale Mifsud on 21 minutes. The rest of the half was a quiet affair with Qormi pressing forward but not creating that much.

The third goal arrived five minutes after the re-start when a cross from the right found Innocent John Iwori who headed towards goal with Pembroke defender Kurt Farrugia changing direction for an own goal.

Qormi were in complete control of the encounter after that strike with Pembroke simply defending to keep the score down. Right on the 90-minute mark, Qormi made it 4-1 with a fine header by Garba who notched his brace to send the Canaries into the Amateur Cup Final against Victoria Hotspurs.