QORMI- 0 HIBERNIANS - 2
SILVIO VELLA
Andrew Cohen and Rodolfo Soares teed up goals for Andre Agius and Jorginho respectively as Hibernians beat Qormi in this FA Trophy semi final to stay on course for a memorable double.
The new champions will duel with Birkirkara next Saturday in their third Trophy final in the last four years.
Andrew Cohen was again the most prominent performer for Hibernains and was at the heart of his side’s pickings, also unlucky to miss a goal himself in the late stages, as he was given a deserved ovation by his fans when he was substituted three minutes from the end.
Qormi had their moments, though few and far between, putting in a plucky reaction after falling behind to Andrei Agius’ goal early in the match They were even denied a consolation goal by the woodwork when two goals down.
Hibernians roused themselves in the second half and it was a moment of classy finish by Jorginho past the hour that secured their safe passage into the final.
Hibernians were always fancied as the more gifted technicians in this semi-final, after putting aside St George’s, Nadur Youngsters and Balzan in the previous rounds.
Qormi coach Mark Miller tried to plot Hibernians’ downfall by starting with the more defensive Christopher Edafe, alongside Clifford Gauci, in front of his four-man backline and leaving Marcelo Lima De Mattos on the bench for the first half. Leighton Grech and Alfred Effiong provided cover for their opponents’ overlaps on the flanks as Gustavo Villalobos roamed in central midfield behind their forward Alex Nilsson.
As expected, Hibernians did the early running and pinned their opponents inside their own half, winning a couple of free kicks around the Qormi box. A Cohen low free kick from outside the area was saved by keeper Farrugia on the ground after five minutes.
Three minutes later, Jorginho managed to break through the Qormi defence from the middle. Keeper Farrugia was quick out of his line to block him.
But after 11 minutes, the Qormi rearguard was breached for the first time from a set piece. Cohen delivered a sailing free kick from the left which was missed by both Jorginho and Krsitensen as Andrei Agius nipped in to shoot low past the helpless goalkeeper.
The goal demanded a response from Qormi who tried to venture into enemy territory with some more frequency. But with the Hibernians’ defence well in command, there was little Qormi could do. On the few occasions, Villalobos had the ball, he was quickly engulfed by vigilant Hibernians’ defenders.
Finesse and chances were almost non-existent in the remainder of the hurly-burly first period but there was no shortage of endeavour or tension. The best opportunity for Qormi came two minutes before the break as Effiong went past two opponents inside the Hibernians’ area, after Kristensen had lost possession to Edafe, but when he crossed low, Agius lofted the ball.
On the other end, Qormi keeper Farrugia was called to turn Kristensen’s powerful shot into a corner.
Aware that something had to change, Qormi coach withdrew Edafe for the more creative Marcelo Lima De Mattos at halftime.
Qormi tore into the Hibernians’ backline as soon as play resumed, with keeper Bonello having to rush off his line to reach before Grech on a Villalobos cross.
The Paolites settled again, taking possession for periods without creating chances. Towards the hour, a Lima drilling shot, from some 30 metres out, forced the Qormi keeper to tip over the bar into a corner.
On 65 minutes, Hibernians doubled their advantage. Jorginho brushed aside Levnaic’s challenge as he picked Soares’ pass and beat keeper Farrugia with an exquisite curling shot.
With their task becoming increasingly laborious, Qormi toiled on and were unlucky when a Lima De Mattos freekick on 78 minutes, thumped against the bar. In the dying minutes, Grech’s persisting run ended with his shot well blocked by keeper Bonello.
At the end, there could be no arguing with the result, nor with the fact that Qormi deserve praise for making Hibernians work so hard for this win.