Greens sink Spartans in shoot-out

Ħamrun Spartans 2
S. Borg 17 og; Fenech 84
Floriana 2
J. Borg 25; Darmanin 47
(Floriana win 6-5 on pens)

Floriana moved into the semi-finals of the National League 100 Anniversary Cup after ousting Ħamrun Spartans in a penalty shoot-out yesterday despite playing with 10 men for the last 30 minutes.

This was a merited victory for the Greens who recovered from the setback of conceding an early own goal to turn the result in their favour with two excellent strikes.

Despite having Christian Caruana sent off just past the hour mark, the Greens held the upperhand but their shoddy defending in the latter stages was punished by the Spartans who grabbed a late equaliser to force a penalty shoot-out (there is no extra-time in Anniversary Cup matches).

Ħamrun coach Steve D'Amato handed a rare start to young goalkeeper Andrea Cassar who replaced Ivan Casha while Rupert Mangion, Roderick Fenech and Ian Zammit returned after missing the 4-0 league defeat to Valletta on Saturday.

Zoran Popovic, the Floriana coach, made few changes to the team that lost to Sliema Wanderers on Sunday, Mark Spiteri replacing injured wing-back Clifton Ciantar.

The match kicked off in heavy rain which made it difficult for both teams to find their rhythm with the result that scoring chances were few and far between.

Floriana created the first attempt at goal when Ryan Darmanin's fierce drive finished just wide.

However, it was the Spartans who almost drew first blood on 16 minutes when Zammit set up Manolito Micallef whose firm shot hit the upright before the Greens cleared the ball for a corner.

From the flag-kick, taken by Clyde Camoin, Fenech was first to the ball with Sacha Borg turning the shot into his own net as he tried to block the Spartans defender's effort.

Floriana hit back strongly and equalised on 25 minutes when Joseph Borg rose high to head home from Pablo Doffo's free-kick.

The goal lifted the Greens and they almost netted a second two minutes later when Doffo found Darmanin whose grounder finished just wide.

The Spartans responded with a long-range strike from Zammit that flew just over. The on-loan forward came close again two minutes later but his free-kick was pushed away for a corner by Bernard Paris.

Floriana started the second half with a bang. Darmanin controlled Spiteri's cross and unleashed a powerful volley that gave Cassar no chance.

The Spartans looked shocked and short of ideas as the Greens' hard-working midfielders prevented the 'hosts' from creating openings.

However, Floriana suffered a blow on 61 minutes when Caruana was dismissed after receiving two bookings in the space of two minutes.

Despite their numerical advantage, the Spartans remained disjointed. Ten minutes from time, Floriana lost goalkeeper Paris who limped out with an ankle problem. He was replaced by Jurgen Borg.

Ħamrun pushed more men forward and, six minutes from time, they drew level. Sacha Borg miskicked his clearance, the ball flew past the stranded Jurgen Borg and came off the upright but in came Fenech who tapped home.

The timing of the Spartans' equaliser was seen as a setback for Floriana as the penalty shoot-out loomed large.

To their credit, Floriana did not lose their composure and looked the sharper side in the shoot-out.

Doffo's first penalty for the Greens was saved but Borg, Floriana's young goalkeeper, atoned for his team-mate's miss by keeping out Marcelo Pereira's drive.

Floriana eventually emerged victorious after converting six penalties to the Spartans' five with Mead Mifsud's decisive spot-kick smacking against the upright to send the Greens through.

Ħamrun Spartans: A. Cassar, M.A. Bonnici, R. Fenech, M. Hrubsa, C. Camoin ('77 M. Mifsud), R. Mangion, M. Micallef, I. Zammit, G. Spiteri, J. Mawete, M. Pereira.

Floriana: B. Paris ('80 J. Borg), J. Briffa, B. Said, O. Anonam, P. Doffo, C. Caruana, R. Darmanin, S. Borg, S. Lijeskic, M. Spiteri ('89 J. Brincat), J. Borg ('90 V. Zlydarev).

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.

Yellow cards: Lijeskic; Briffa; Zammit; Caruana; Mawete; Camoin.

Red card: Caruana (F) 61.

Penalty sequence: Doffo (F) saved (0-0); Pereira (Ħ) saved (0-0); Anonam scores (1-0); Zammit scores (1-1); S. Borg scores (2-1); Mangion misses (2-1); Lijeskic scores (3-1); Micallef scores (3-2); Darmanin saved (3-2); Spiteri scores (3-3); Briffa scores (4-3); Hrubsa scores (4-4); Brincat scores (5-4); Mawete scores (5-5); Said scores (6-5); Mifsud misses (6-5).