Naxxar, Hamrun, Gzira and Sliema head into the next round, Qrendi stun Sirens

Photos by Josef 'Cece' Borg and Malta FA

MERIDIANBET FA TROPHY 2024/25
ROUND OF 32

 

Zurrieq FC 1-0 Mellieha SC aet

On Friday, Zurrieq FC and Mellieha SC kickstarted the Meridianbet FA Trophy Round of 32 with a heated game that went down to the wire.

Zurrieq FC 1-0 Mellieha SC - 10.01.2025 - Photo by Malta FA

While Zurrieq were the favourites given them being in higher division, they have been in rather underwhelming form, with their last win coming back in November. On the other hand, Mellieha have been impressing in the third tier, and they also got the better of Tarxien Rainbows FC in the previous round of the FA Trophy.

Despite their mixed fortunes, Zurrieq were the better of the two sides throughout the match, with them controlling the play and having the most opportunities. The Zurrieq frontline was particularly threatening, having a number of chances to put their side ahead, yet they could not break the Mellieha defence down.

Mellieha held on and they took the game to extra-time, and they were hoping for a repeat of the last round, when they knocked Tarxien out after penalties.

However, it was not meant to be, as Zurrieq were awarded a penalty in the 108th minute, and when Sulahmana Mamadu Bah stepped up, he made no mistake, firing home to give Zurrieq a lead that had been coming for a long time. From that point on, Mellieha pressed in search of an equaliser, yet it was not enough, and Zurrieq got the win.

Xaghra United 1-5 Victoria Hotspurs FC

Victoria Hotspurs FC had a memorable return to Gozo as they convincingly beat GFA side Xaghra United on Friday.

The Hotspurs, who are unbeaten this season and have been so impressive in their division, were keen to make their mark from the very start.

In fact, they went ahead after just nine minutes through their captain and former Malta international Ferdinando Apap, who hit a wonderful free-kick that went straight through the wall. His goal was quickly followed up by another strike from Rondinely Roberto Monteiro, who continued his fine form this season with a goal to put his side 2-0 up within 18 minutes, catching the opposition goalkeeper out from long range.

Kurt Borg got the Hotspurs’ third in the 31-minute mark, but Lucas Farrugia got a goal back for Xaghra just a minute later, stunning Victoria Hotspurs.

However, it was still an uphill battle for Xaghra, with the game, which had a very good attendance at the Gozo Stadium, being completely dominated by the away side. Borg got his second of the match just seven minutes after the restart, before Emmanuel Mbong came on midway through the second-half and capped off the win with a goal of his own to make it 5-1.

Sirens FC 0-2 Qrendi FC

In Friday’s late kick-off at the Centenary Stadium, Amateur League side Qrendi FC stunned higher-division oppositions Sirens FC, knocking them out to continue their brilliant performances in the cup competitions.

Qrendi, who made it into the Round of 32 due a bye and their performances in the BOV Amateur Cup, were the underdogs for the match, especially when considering Sirens are in the BOV Challenge League and have produced some stellar displays this season.

However, Friday was all about Qrendi, as the Greens were clearly more up for the match, winning all of their challenges and duels. They got their just reward 36 minutes into the encounter, as Leonardo Fernandes Andrade put them ahead in style going round the goalkeeper, before tucking it away into the empty net, sparking widespread celebration from the team.

The two sides went into half-time with Qrendi in front, while Sirens were visibly frustrated with the performance.

While Sirens came out firing in the second half, Qrendi remained resilient, and they quickly doubled their lead in the 55th minute thanks to Christian Joseph Degabriele, who connected with the rebound from an earlier strike.

Sirens were flooding forward following that point in search of a way back into the match, yet Qrendi held their own and saw out the win, ensuring they progress to the Round of 16 and continuing their stunning run of form.

Pietà Hotspurs FC 1-5 Marsa FC

Marsa FC got the better of Pietà Hotspurs FC on Saturday, relying on a late flurry to ease past their BOV Challenge League rivals and make it through to the next round.

Marsa have been one of the teams to beat this season, and it was immediately clear that they were up for it at the Victor Tedesco Stadium. Renan Sgaria Farias put them in front after just 18 minutes, and they were in the ascendancy right from the off.

However, Pietà were doing all they can to stifle the Marsa attack, and they went into half-time only a goal down.

It was in the second half that all of the action unfolded. Marsa were awarded a penalty almost immediately after the restart. Up stepped new signing and former Malta U21 international Jake Engerer, who slotted the ball into the net to make it 2-0 to Marsa.

Pietà did bounce back from that setback, as Gabriel Nazareno Mannino got a goal back for them just four minutes later. They regrouped from that point on and went forward in search of an equaliser.

However, Marsa proved too strong, and they made a crucial change in the 73rd minute, bringing on Joao Vitor De Oliveira Florencio. It would go on and work wonders, as the Brazilian found the net twice, first in the 78th minute, and then in the 80th, practically putting the game to bed.

In the 84th minute, Marsa’s top scorer for the season Lydon Micallef sealed the victory with a goal of his own to make it 5-1 and put Marsa into the Round of 16.

Birkirkara FC 2-1 Balzan FC

Birkirkara FC eliminated Balzan FC in a tight clash between two top division sides at the Tony Bezzina Stadium on Saturday.

Birkirkara FC 2-1 Balzan FC - 11.01.2025 - Photo by Josef 'Cece' Borg

Birkirkara opened the scoring on the 36-minute mark, when a shot from Agustin Sandona squeezed past Balzan goalkeeper Dylan Ciappara to go into the net, putting the Stripes ahead.

At half-time, Birkirkara remained a goal up, but Balzan were keen to make their mark following the restart. In fact, they were awarded a penalty in the 66th minute, and while Udoyen Alexander Ayo Akpan had his effort saved by Giacomo Volpe, Jan Busuttil was on hand to slot in the rebound from a very tight angle.

However, Birkirkara would eventually get the better of Balzan, as in the 75th minute, Alexander Satariano was set up on the edge of the penalty area, and he hit a delightful curling strike that sailed past Ciappara and went into the top corner, restoring Birkirkara’s lead. The goal was fit to win any game, and it eventually proved to be the winner.

Naxxar Lions FC 4-2 Melita FC

In another top division clash, this time at the Centenary Stadium, Naxxar Lions FC had to go to extra-time to defeat a young and resilient Melita FC side.

Naxxar Lions FC 4-2 Melita FC - 11.01.2025 - Photo by Malta FA

The two teams, who both had difficult campaigns in the league, were eager to make a positive impression in the Meridianbet FA Trophy.

Young midfielder Matthew Debattista stole the show for Melita throughout the game, first by putting his team in front after just nine minutes with a delightful free-kick that went over Naxxar goalkeeper Andre Fenech and nestled into the top corner.

Following the break, Naxxar were awarded a penalty for a rash tackle in the penalty area, and Ryan Gilmour Cassar stepped up to take the resulting spot-kick, and he finished it off excellently to draw his side level.

However, just moments later, Melita would get a penalty of their own, and Debattista was once again given the task of putting the away side ahead, and he did it as calmly as ever, sending the goalkeeper the other way.

Despite Melita’s best efforts to hold on for the win, they would end up giving away their lead in the 74th minute, after a loose clearance fell to Tara Ndao, who went past the defence and slotted the ball in to make it 2-2 and take the game to extra-time.

In extra-time, Naxxar pulled away and took control of the encounter as the Melita pressure waned. In the 99th minute, they got their reward as Melita’s Gosef Mizzi rushed out to meet a Naxxar forward, leaving his goal completely open for Maicon De Souza Da Silva to put his side in front from a long way out. Takuma Yamaguchi sealed the win with a curling free-kick deep into extra-time, leading to jubilant celebrations from the Lions’ faithful.

Sliema Wanderers FC 8-0 Ghajnsielem FC

At the Victor Tedesco Stadium, Sliema Wanderers FC eased into the Round of 16 with a comfortable 8-0 win against GFA team Ghajnsielem FC.

Sliema had full control of the encounter, and there were early signs of their dominance straight from kick-off. Coach Paul Zammit started a strong side, and it showed its quality right away, with Mohamed Abdulahi Awad putting his team in front after just two minutes with a close-range header, before Simon Zibo doubled the score immediately after finishing into the top-right corner in neat fashion. It was then 3-0 in the 12th minute courtesy of Adam Magri Overend, who connected with an excellent cross from the left to tuck his effort past Ghajnsielem goalkeeper Luke Buttigieg.

Zibo got his second of the match in the 22nd minute after a mix-up from a corner kick let to the ball falling in his path for a tap in. Geoffrey Edwin Acheampong also got in on the act in a few minutes later with a left-footed strike from the edge of the penalty area that sailed into the net, before Vito Plut made it six and Steven Pisani slotted in a penalty to extend their lead to seven.

With the game being long gone for Ghajnsielem, there were a series of changes at half-time for both sides, and while Sliema got another goal thanks to Russell Borg just two minutes after the restart, the pace of the match slowed down and Sliema held out for the resounding victory.

Marsaxlokk FC 0-3 Mosta FC

At the Tony Bezzina Stadium, Mosta FC did enough to outclass Marsaxlokk FC and book themselves a place in the Round of 16 of the Meridianbet FA Trophy.

Marsaxlokk FC 0-3 Mosta FC - 11.01.2025 - Photo by Josef 'Cece' Borg

Just six minutes into the match, Mosta were awarded a penalty, and veteran Clayton Failla had the responsibility from the spot. He was clinical as ever, firing it past Marsaxlokk’s Marko Drobnjak to put Mosta in front.

The rest of the first half was a close affair, with both sides having their fair share of the possession. But following the restart, Mosta took the game to the opposition, and after a loose pass from the Marsaxlokk defence, the Mosta forwards intercepted the ball, yet they were then brought down for another penalty. Failla once again stepped up, and he rifled the ball into the net yet again.

In the closing stages, Giancarlo Goncalves also got his name on the scoresheet after a brilliant piece of play from the Mosta attack, and his shot went past Marsaxlokk goalkeeper Matthew Calleja Cremona, who had come on at half-time. Mosta saw out the 3-0 win in what was a relatively comfortable afternoon for them.

Hamrun Spartans FC 5-0 Swieqi United

Hamrun Spartans FC continued their brilliant run of form with another excellent display, this time around against Swieqi United, beating them comfortably 5-0.

Hamrun Spartans FC 5-0 Swieqi United - 11.01.2025 - Photo by Malta FA

Hamrun, while fielding a rotated side, were still the stronger of the two teams, and they went ahead in the 31st minute, as a lovely, lobbed pass from Jovan Cadenovic found Talison Lui Barboza, who struck a brilliant half-volley past Swieqi’s Jean Claude Debattista.

Despite their dominance, Hamrun went into half-time only a goal in front, and they were wary of the threat that Swieqi possess down the other end.

As a result, the Spartans immediately looked to seize further control of the match in the second-half, and it took them just three minutes to double their lead, this time thanks to Raphael Lopes Silva, before Abdoul Kairou Amoustapha made it three a few minutes later.

Maltese international Joseph Mbong added to the scoring in the 76th minute after breezing past his opposition marker to slot into the net, before Lopes Silva got his second of the game just six minutes before time, sealing a resounding 5-0 win for Hamrun.

Lija Athletic FC 0-5 Zabbar St Patrick FC

On Sunday, an in-form Zabbar St Patrick FC proved too strong for Lija Athletic FC, as the Saints recorded an impressive 5-0 win at the Centenary Stadium.

The star of the day was David Oliveira Souza, who bagged a remarkable hat-trick to guide his side to victory.

His first goal came on the 15-minute mark, as he headed into the net past Luke Bonnici from relatively far out, with his effort nestling right into the top corner.

While Zabbar pressed in search of another goal in the first half, it remained 1-0 at the break, with Lija doing all they can to deny the top-tier side any space.

Zabbar let loose after the break though, and Oliveira Souza was on hand to finish off from close range from a corner kick just nine minutes after the restart. Diogo Joao Regala De Figueiredo Tavares also got in on the act in the 65th minute, as the ball fell to him in the penalty area and he smashed home to make it 3-0.

Marcelo Barros Santos added to the scoring in the 73rd minute, scoring with another header that sailed past the goalkeeper.

Oliveira Souza capped off the win with a goal right before the death to complete his hat-trick and make it five, sealing Zabbar’s path to the Round of 16.

Gudja United 0-5 Gzira United

Gzira United made their way to the next round in similar fashion, as they overcame Gudja United 5-0 on Sunday.

Gudja United 0-5 Gzira United - 12.01.2025 - Photo by Malta FA

Gabriel Mentz Bohrer fired Gzira ahead just 11 minutes into the game, latching on to a loose ball after a corner dropped to him in the penalty area.

The Maroons remained in control of the match, and in the second half they showed their superiority, doubling their advantage in the 55th minute thanks to Lucas Ribeiro De Oliveira, who produced an acrobatic finish.

Gudja were finding it difficult to handle the Gzira attack, and in the 72nd minute Zachary Scerri was in the right place at the right time, tucking away the ball from close range to make it 3-0.

Mentz was on hand to make it four in the 79th minute with a spectacular free-kick, before Ribeiro De Oliveira wrapped up the win with another goal just a minute later, making sure they go through to the next round in style.

Floriana FC 2-0 Xewkija Tigers FC

Floriana FC were made to work as they battled through to the next round after seeing out a spirited Xewkija Tigers FC side.

Floriana, who have been in impressive form in all competitions over recent weeks, started the stronger of the two sides, and they got their breakthrough just 36 minutes into the game. Jose Fernando Gomes Junior produced some neat trickery on the edge of the penalty area, before finding some space to bend the ball into the top corner, giving the Greens the lead.

Despite Floriana’s superiority, they were finding it difficult to break down a tough and determined Xewkija team, who were keeping themselves in the game with a couple of crucial challenges.

However, Floriana eventually doubled their lead deep into stoppage time to ensure their win, as a perfect cross from Aleandro Garzia found Franklin Sasere to head into the net and make it 2-0.

Qala Saints FC 2-0 St Andrews FC

Qala Saints FC became the second Gozitan side to make it through to the Round of 16 after knocking out St Andrews FC at the Gozo Stadium on Sunday.

Christian Mercieca fired Qala in front after just 10 minutes, with him being freed up on the left side of the penalty area, before striking a hard shot past St Andrews goalkeeper Sebastian Mifsud.

The Gozitan side were quick to double their lead, as only seven minutes later, Igor Nedeljkovic stole the ball from the St Andrews defence and curled an excellent shot to make it 2-0 to Qala.

Qala continued to press for the rest of the encounter, and while they fell under increased pressure from the away side, they remained resilient and kept St Andrews at bay. After a tense match, Qala saw out the win and secured a place in the Round of 16 of the competition.

Valletta FC 4-0 S.K. Victoria Wanderers

Elsewhere, Valletta FC got a comprehensive victory over S.K. Victoria Wanderers, continuing their positive run against Gozitan sides in the competition.

The Citizens went in front in brilliant fashion, as James Scicluna drove a wonderful left-footed strike from the edge of the penalty area in the 32nd minute.

They remained in control of the encounter throughout the rest of the half, yet they were finding it difficult to find a second goal. However, the goal did come just a few minutes after the restart, as Enoch Biringanine Mushagalusa was on hand to finish off from close range after a corner kick led to a mix-up in the penalty area.

Valletta continued to dominate, and they added to their scoring in the closing stages when the Wanderers were on the hunt for a way back into the tie. The third goal came from a wonderfully worked opening that ended with Mushagalusa finishing it off with a tap in. The fourth goal was an excellent strike from Jefferson Ferreira de Souza in the 84th minute following a loose ball right outside of the penalty area, prompting the Brazilian to hit a wonderful half volley to make it 4-0.

Hibernians FC 3-0 Zebbug Rangers FC

Hibernians FC became the final top division side to make it through to the Round of 16 after recording a solid 3-0 win against second-tier side Zebbug Rangers FC.

However, it was far from an easy match for the Paolites, especially in the opening stages, as Zebbug were finding some space in behind the Hibernians defence. In fact, goalkeeper Pablo Sanchez Nino had to stand tall to deny Zebbug’s Salem Ayinde Adeyemi early on, saving from close range to keep the score goalless.

Despite some early warning signs, Hibs went in front on the 41-minute mark, as Miullen Natha Felicio Carvalho found space down the left side, and the Brazilian forward tucked the ball into the net with a neat finish, giving Hibernians some breathing room before the break.

After half-time, Hibernians went into the ascendancy, and on 58 minutes they doubled their advantage thanks to Khevin Rodrigo Fraga, who was left completely unmarked from a corner kick for a free header, which could not be saved by Zebbug’s Jamie Azzopardi.

It eventually became 3-0 in the 76th minute through Alex Bruno De Souza Silva, who got an excellent connection from a cross to put it past the goalkeeper and seal the win.

Fgura United 3-1 Attard FC

Fgura United had to come from behind against Attard FC to book their place in the Round of 16 Meridianbet FA Trophy in the final match of the round on Sunday.

Attard were the ones to go in front in the early stages, with Nicholas Schembri putting them ahead in the 32nd minute. Fgura did not manage to respond prior to the break, and Attard, who made it into the Round of 16 through their performance in the BOV Amateur Cup, were ahead at the break.

However, Fgura were keen to make amends in the second half, and just a minute after the restart, they were level thanks to Timilehin Caleb Akande.

The match was very tight from that point on, and while it seemed like it was heading to extra-time, Dylan Caruana popped up with a goal in the 80th minute for Fgura to put them in front. Innocent John Awori sealed the victory with a goal of his own in the 83rd minute to make it 3-1, completing an impressive comeback.

Round of 16 Fixtures

Given the draw for the Round of 16 was held in December, the fixtures are now as follows:

Zurrieq FC vs Naxxar Lions FC
Victoria Hotspurs FC vs Floriana FC
Zabbar St Patrick FC vs Hamrun Spartans FC
Qala Saints FC vs Hibernians FC
Marsa FC vs Sliema Wanderers FC
Gzira United vs Valletta FC
Mosta FC vs Qrendi FC
Fgura United vs Birkirkara FC