Pieta H 5

Naxxar L 0

U-15 KO semi final

Section A winners Pieta H were in a class of their own against Section B runners-up Naxxar L. They enjoyed the lion’s share of the exchanges during the whole 60 minutes.

Naxxar created only four actions throughout the game.

Pieta will contest the final against Section A runners-Up Valletta who beat Section B winners Melita.

Pieta soon gained the initiative. Matthew Bonello released Zachary Gatt on the left flank and after he served Bedri Ryustemov with a perfect high cross in the area he headed over the bar with only Naxxar keeper Luke Pecorella to beat.

Kyle Cesare then served Gatt in the area but Pecorella denied him by diving at his feet to smother the ball.

In a Naxxar attack, Julian Delia served Xylon Buhagiar with a cross from the right but Pieta keeper Daniele Cappitta saved his effort from inside the area. 

Pieta then won a corner kick on the right flank which was well-taken by Stewart and the ball was cleared to another corner.

In the 16th minute Pieta opened the score when Naxxar defender John Chetcuti handled the ball outside the area and after Bartolo floated a high ball in the area Stewart first-timed the ball in the bottom left hand corner of the net past a helpless Pecorella.

Naxxar then won a free kick in Pieta’s half and the high ball from Ryan Cassar created havoc in the area but the ball was cleared to safety.

A minute before the interval Pieta were denied by the woodwork when Ryustemov served Cesare with a cross from the right and the ball hit the far post from his hard drive with Pecorella completely beaten.

Three minutes after restart Pieta doubled the score. Ryustemov dribbled past two opponents on the left flank and served Gatt who scored with a hard grounder from outside the area.   

The score became 3-0 in the 47th minute when after a run down the right flank by substitute Rudi Calleja, who dribbled past an opponent in the process, he served substitue Jeremy Papagiorcupolo in the area who netted with a low shot.

Pieta added two further goals between the 58th and 61st minute for a final score-line of 5-0. The scorers were Stewart Papagiorcupolo and Calleja.

Referee: Roderick Sciberras