Pieta H 0

Qormi 1

(After extra time)

Pieta H: M. Montfort, C. Spiteri, B. Sciberras, T. Agius (K. Cutajar), Z. Muscat(C. Attard), L. Mallia, C. Cassar, J. Zarate, J. Pisani, I. Grech, A. Farrugia (J. Holland)

Qormi: M. Farrugia, M. Bartolo (S. Wellman), J. Chetcuti (K.Scicluna), J. Farrugia, L. Sciberras, F. Mirarchi (C. Suguino), J. Bondin, J. Pereira, K. Thackray, T. Caruana, V. Kouadio

Referee: C. Lautier

Asst.refs; W. Debattista, K. Francalanza

4th official: T. Farrugia Cann

Scorers: C. Suguino 120

Yellow cards: K. Thackray, C. Cassar, C. Suguino

Qormi had to go into extra time before downing Division 1 leaders Pieta Hotspurs with a late strike from Barzilian substitute Caio Suguino to reach the semi-finals of the U*BET FA Trophy.

For endless periods, especially in the second half and most of extra time, that illusive goal looked beyond Qormi despite their territorial superiority and better chances in a low-key match.

Pieta, who had eliminated Premier League sides Tarxien Rainbows and Marsaxlokk to reach this stage, fought gamely, stretching their opponents to almost a penalty shoot-out, but were finally unable to extend their giant-killing act, bowing out with some dignity.

Qormi had the injured Bello-Osagie missing but Suguino, Scicluna and Wellman started on the bench.

But the Premier side failed to impose themselves on their opponents from a lower Division and, although they enjoyed the better share of possession inside the first 45 minutes, they rarely threatened, except for a Joseph Farrugia sailing free kick, cleared into a corner past the quarter hour. Towards the half hour, Pereira ran inside the Pieta area past Spiteri but was blocked by keeper Montfort.

Pieta remained tactically well disciplined, with Jonathan Zarate, the only foreigner in their line-up, showing hegemony in midfield. They went closest with his menacing free kick, narrowly missing the target, on 35 minutes.

But Qormi mounted some sustained pressure in the second part, after Pieta had gone close with two Agius efforts from near the byeline on the left, both footed out by the Qormi keeper Farrugia, early after the resumption.

On 56 minutes Pereira went inside the Pieta area from the left but keeper Montfort blocked his low shot.

Past the hour, Joseph Farrugia put Bartolo clear, the Pieta keeper blocked but Pereira skied the rebound.

Qormi effected a double substitution on 63 minutes. Substitute Suguino, left unmarked in front of the Pieta goal, failed to finish off on Pereira’s low cross from near the byeline on the left five minutes later.

And on 79 minutes, Qormi went closest of breaking the deadlock when Joseph Farrugia thumped his drilling shot from some 25 metres out, against the bar.

Qormi increased their efforts in the late stages and won several corners, but were impotent in the face of Pieta’s organised defence, who held grimly to force extra time.

Qormi threatened again in the first period with a Pereira overhead kick which keeper Montfort turned into a corner.

In the second half, Joseph Farrugia’s shot on Suguino’s pass, lacked power and then the Qormi skipper headed the ball towards Pereira whose shot was blocked by the outstretched Montfort.

Qormi looked hapless in front of the Pieta goal and with two minutes remaining, Pereira chested the ball in open space but incredulously mishit and the chance went begging.

But as the match looked heading towards a penalty shoot-out, Caio Suguino beat keeper Montfort with a defiant strike on Bondin’s deep cross from the right to break Pieta’s hearts.

Before the final whistle, the Hotspurs almost drew level as substitute Attard latched on a free kick and lobbed over the onrushing keeper Farrugia, only for the ball to finish tantalisingly wide.