Birkirkara-Valletta 0-0

(Birkirkara advance to final 4-2 on penalties)

Birkirkara: D. Simon, MA Bonnici, L. Galea, P. Monye, W. Camenzuli, E. Barbara (C. Nwoko), M. Galea, K. Scicluna, R. Briffa, JP Mifsud Triganza (A. Ciantar), G. Mallia.

Valletta: S. Sullivan, J. Bondin, B. Nisevic, M. Grima, S. Bezzina, I. Zammit, K. Fenech, D. Zarb, R. Forace (A. Debono), G. Agius, J. Ani.

Referee: C. Lautier. Asst refs: K. Borg, A. Camilleri 4th official L. Sammut

Scorers: (penalties) M. Galea, L. Galea, G. Mallia and R. Briffa for Birkirkara and M. Grima and B. Nisevic for Valletta.

Yellow cards: S. Bezzina, I. Zammit, G. Mallia,

Holders Birkirkara made a step forward towards winning this tournament for a fourth time as they yesterday beat Valletta 4-2 after a penalty shoot-out.

The match had ended in a goalless draw as neither side appeared capable of overpowering the respective defences.

It was the third meeting between these two sides this season. And for the third time, Valletta failed to beat the Stripes after having lost the two league matches.

The sizeable crowd, which packed the Centenary Stadium, must have been disappoined with the fare provided by both sides, although one must consider the fact that it was being played on an artificial surface.

The Stripes appeared to be the better technically equipped side and saw much more of the ball, but Valletta's fighting spirit again came to the fore as they defended with great determination and counter-attacked frequently, though with little or no penetration.

In actual fact, it was the Stripes who created the best chances in front of goal, but somehow or other, the citizens managed to defend their goal in an organised manner with Massimo Grima and Branko Nisevic in dominating mood at the back. In the second half, also Sullivan became a hero as he twice blocked shots appearing destined for the back of the net.

The Stripes also had Monye, Camenzuli and Scicluna playing well at the back. They never gave much space to Ani, Gilbert Agius and Ian Zammit, who at times seemed to be isolated up front.

The better football was seen in the second half when Valletta, finally, also had their chances and went close to scoring on a couple of occasions.

But at the end, the 0-0 scoreline was a fair one although it was a pity that one of the teams had to lose through the penalty shoot-out.

The first action worthy of note arrived in the 14th minute when Etienne Barbara received a good long pass, dribbled round Sullivan, but then hit into the side rigging from the angle, despite an untenanted post.

On the 31st minute, it was again Barbara who received a good pass on the left flank. His cross from the bye line went to Michael Galea, who sliced his kick wide of goal.

On 38 minutes, as the Stripes insisted on attack, a Camenzuli dangerous cross was intercepted by Sullivan before Mifsud Triganza could head goalwards.

On the 42nd minute, the Stripes were very close to open the scoring. From a Michael Galea freekick, Barbara headed goalwards and Camenzuli saw his full blooded and close-range shot blocked by Jonathan Bondin, standing in front of goal.

On the hour, Valletta went close for the first time when Monye missed his clearance from a long ball from the back. Ani pounced on the ball, but with goalie Simon coming out of his charge, the Nigerian's effort went wide of the post.

Soon after it was Massimo Grima, who received a low pass from Agius to bring the best out of goalie Simon.

At the other end, it was Valletta goalie Sullivan who turned protagonist. He twice blocked close range shots in quick succession from George Mallia and Michael Galea.

In the 68th minute, Gilbert Agius had a fine effort going just wide.

With nine minutes to go, Sullivan again was in action anticipating Michael Galea, following a good cross from substitute Chucks Nwoko.

And soon after, Galea missed the best opportunity for the Stripes when he miskicked in front of goal following a low cross from Roderick Briffa.

Till the end, neither side managed to find the net and it had to be the penalty shoot-out to determine the winners. Birkirkara managed to score four penalties to Valletta's two to advance to the final.

Sliema-Hibs today

The tournament continues this evening with the second semi-final between Sliema Wanderers and Hibernians which kicks off at 7.30pm. The venue is the Centenary Stadium once again.