Birkirakara won the first edition of the AME Cup, played at the Luxol Stadium, when they beat Sliema Wanderers 2-1 yesterday evening, thanks to a late goal scored seven minutes from time.

Slieme opened the scoring after 11 minutes of play thanks to Omar Fonstad El Ghaouti, yet eight minutes later Shola Shodiya equalised for Birkirkara.

When all seemed pointing towards a penalty shoot-out to decide the tournament winner, Sliema’s goalkeeper Henry Bonello was seen committing a foul in the area and was sent off.

From the spot, Joselito Dos Reis did not miss.

Mosta defeated Balzan Youths 4-3 in their encounter for third and fourth place, in a highly exciting match.

Mosta opened the scoring 18 minutes into the match thanks to Firaz Aboulezz, but Balzan equalised on 32 minutes with a low shot by Elton Da Silva, who had missed a penalty only a couple of minutes earlier.

Mosta went in for the break still in the lead, thanks to Obinna Obifuele’s hit on target on 41 minutes.

Balzan turned the match in their favour in the beginning of the second half with goals by Martin Deanov and Dylan Grima.

Yet Mosta were determined to have the last say, and scored twice in the last minutes thanks to a brace by Obinna Obifuele for a final score of 4-3.

In Saturday’s matches, Hamrun beat Qormi 4-3 to win seventh place, whilst Rabat Ajax ended up in fifth place after beating Tarxien Rainbows 2-1.

Tarxien had taken the lead on the half-hour mark thanks to Brandon Manzonelli, but Rabar had a brilliant come-back in the second half.

Manwel Moral Fuster equalised after 60 minutes of play, and nine minutes later Adam Smeir hit on target to give his side a deserved victory.

In Saturday’s final match, Hamrun displayed a remarcable come-back against Qormi to avoid finishing last in the competition.

Qormi went in for the break with a 3-1 lead, with all goals being scored in the last minutes of the first half.

Leighton Grech opened the scoring after 37 minutes of play, yet Hamrun reacted immediately and equalised thanks to Massimo Grima.

Just before the break, Qormi scored twice again thanks to Abubaker Bello Osagie and Joseph Chetcuti, giving Qormi a comfortable lead.

After just three minutes into the second half, Nikolay Bozhov pulled one back for Spartans, and on 67 minutes Angel Yoshev made them 3-3.

On 71 minutes, Ryan Spiteri scored Hamrun’s winning goal.

The top scorer for this tournament was Joselito dos Reis of Birkirkara with eight goals. The Fair Play Award was awarded to Rabat Ajax.