Victoria Hotspurs Advance to Next Round in the Amateur Cup After Penalty Shoot-Out

Victoria Hotspurs Advance to Next Round in the Amateur Cup After Penalty Shoot-Out

Victoria Hotspurs F.C. 4 – 4 (5 – 4 Pens) Qrendi F.C.

Scorers: 107′ Rondinely Roberto Monteiro, 42′ Kurt Borg, 51′ Christian Mercieca, 75′ Emmanuel Mbong

On Saturday, Victoria Hotspurs secured their place in the quarter-finals after defeating Qrendi FC 5-4 on penalties in a thrilling encounter. It was far from an easy match for the Hotspurs, who found themselves 2-0 down early in the game but managed to turn the score around in their favour. Qrendi equalised late on, forcing the match into extra time. In the additional 30 minutes, the Gozitans regained the lead, only for Qrendi to score a stoppage-time equaliser that sent the game to a penalty shootout.

Qrendi started well and took the lead in the 11th minute when Brandon Bray broke through the defence and fired a low shot past Kyle Barbara in the Victoria goal. The Hotspurs appeared shaken and in the 36th minute, Joseph Ogunnupe doubled Qrendi’s advantage after capitalising on a defensive error and slotting the ball home beyond Barbara’s reach. The Gozitans pulled one back three minutes before half-time when Kurt Borg connected well with a pass from Ferdinando Apap and finished clinically to make it 2-1 at the break.

In the second half, the Hotspurs came out much stronger and equalised through Christian Mercieca, who combined neatly with Wagner before beating goalkeeper Krassimir Zammit, just six minutes after the break. The team of coach Kevin Ellul quickly restored their lead on 64 minutes when Ogunnupe converted from the penalty spot to make it 3-2. Emmanuel Mbong, just five minutes after coming on as a substitute, struck a powerful shot into the roof of the net to level the score at 3-3, sending the match into extra time.

During extra time, the Hotspurs showed great determination and took the lead for the first time in the 107th minute through lanky Brazilian forward Rondinely. But just when it seemed the Hotspurs were heading for victory, Qrendi launched a quick counterattack in stoppage time, with speedster Gianfranco Micallef catching the defence off guard and scoring from close range to make it 4-4. The Hotspurs were flawless in the penalty shootout, converting all their kicks, while Qrendi missed once, sealing the victory in a dramatic afternoon at the Luxol Stadium.

Match Report by MFA Match Centre.