Victoria Hotspurs Eliminated After Penalty Shootout

Victoria Hotspurs Eliminated After Penalty Shootout

Victoria Hotspurs F.C. 1 – 1 Birkirkara F.C. Pens 2 – 4

Scorer: Chris Mercieca

S. Sultana, F. Apap, M. Said, D. Vukovic, S. Attard, R. Monteiro (83 E. Mbong), D. Mercieca, K. Micallef, E. Wagner (90 L. Grima), K. Borg (75 G. Muscat).

Birkirkara came back from the dead to clinch a berth in the next round of the Jubilee Cup thanks to a nail-biting penalty shoot-out victory over Victoria Hotspurs.

The Gozitan side were minutes away from starting celebrating a major scalp after leading against Birkirkara with a handful of minutes to play, before striker Lucas Macula equalised on 81 minutes.

Maydana tested the waters after 15 minutes with a rising shot that was pushed over the bar by Steven Sultana.

Although the Stripes looked a smart bet to open the scoring, an own goal by Stefan Marjanovic handed the Gozitans the lead inside the first half hour.

Kurt Borg turned well on the edge of the box before hitting a low shot which was deflected behind Grech by Marjanovic.

Victoria continued to impress and, a few moments later, Eduardo Wagner’s cross from the right found Borg, who anticipated Grech with a header that finished just over the bar.

Just before half-time, the striking duo of Birkirkara – Kemar Reid and Macula – had the opportunity to equalise, but both fired high with the goal at their mercy.

Before halftime, the Stripes endured another scare when Jan Busuttil was first shown a yellow card and then immediately a red by referee Daniel Portelli, only for the official to rescind the red card upon realising that Busuttil had only been booked once.

Festa’s thoughts on Birkirkara’s first-half performance was reflected in his bold decision to make a triple substitution at half-time, handing a debut to Asumah Abubakar-Ankrah, while Kaiden Fenech and Stephane Makoma were also introduced in place of Gaitán, Marjanović, and Busuttil.

On 55 minutes, Abubakar had a golden chance to make an instant impact. Makoma regained possession and played in the Portuguese forward, whose diagonal effort drifted agonisingly wide.

Birkirkara continued to be wasteful, and Macula hit wide again from an ideal position as the Stripes continued to struggle in the last third.

On 77 minutes, Birkirkara had the best opportunity to score when Shaun Dimech hit a free kick on the far post, where Kurt Zammit rose above friends and foes to hit the ball towards goal, but Karl Micallef cleared the ball off the line.

But nine minutes from time, Birkirkara equalised when substitute Fenech delivered a great cross from the right and Macula headed the ball into the corner behind Sultana.

The game then went to penalties.

Here, Birkirkara prevailed as they converted all five penalties, against the Hotspurs’ three to progress.

Match Report by The Times of Malta

Photos by Victoria Hotspurs F.C.