Mosta 1
Birkirkara 2
Mosta: N. Vella, P. Soares, G. Aquilina, T. Yokochi, W. Gomes (Z. Brincat 50), D. Bonnici (K. Gatt 78), R. Morisco, E. Sohna, CE Chaney, T. Farrugia, M. Muchardi
Birkirkara: A. Hogg, E. Pepe, M. Guillaumier, J. Bezzina (Y. Yankam 73), K. Zammit, R. Briffa, F. Falcone, C. Attard, C. Prado, O. Carriello, I. Ntow
Referee: D. Agius
Asst refs: D. Sultana, D. Stankovic
4th official: T. Farrugia Cann
Scorers: C. Prado 47, 53, Z. Brincat 61 pen.
Yellow cards: E. Sohna 24, R. Briffa 42, K. Zammit 51
Attendance: 252
Brazilian striker Caio Prado scored two excellent second half goals to lead Birkirkara to a 2-1 win over Mosta which landed them in the quarterfinals of the competition.
He struck on 47 and 53 minutes to give his side a handy two-goal cushion which Mosta never recovered despite s strong rally.
The Stripes dominated proceedings in the first period and created the best scoring chances, but their finishing was rather poor with the result that they never really troubled goalie Vella in the Mosta goal.
Mosta were well organised at the back and they never passed through anxious moments as the Stripes were poor in their conclusions.
The Blues were not convincing, however, up in front, as they also never really tested Birkirkara goalie Hogg. In their fewer attacks, their only two conclusions were among those to be forgotten.
The Stripes could not have started the second half better as they scored two goals through Caio Prado in the opening seven minutes.
This seemed to have given them the necessary confidence, but Mosta had other ideas as they came back strongly in contention after reducing the gap from a penalty on the hour.
After that, they fought gallantly to try and force extra time, but the Stripes defended their fort well and Mosta never found the gap to score an equaliser.
Birkirkara went straight on attack in search of an early goal and on 8 minutes, Caido Prado was through in the area, but his shot was blocked by a Mosta defender.
In the 14th minute, Johann Bezzina set Federico Falcone in the area, but his effort finished well wide of the Mosta fort.
On 20 minutes, from a Bezzina corner, it was Enrico Pepe who had his shot blocked by a defender.
Mosta's first attempt arrived on 25 minutes. It was a Muchardi effort from outside the area which went harmlessly wide.
Four minutes later, at the other end, goalie Nicholas Vella had to dive sideways to save a low Matthew Guillaumier shot in two attempts.
On the 39th minute, Mosta responded with a shot by Rafael Morisco, but Hogg saved confidently.
Birkirkara opened the scoring in the 47th minute. It was Caio Prado who received a good ball from Guillaumier and advanced into the Mosta area where he dribbled round goalkeeper Vella before planting the ball into the net.
Six minutes later, it was 2-0. It was again Prado who received the ball on the right flank, advanced into the area past two defenders and beat Vella with a low angled shot.
Mosta's reply arrived on the hour when from a Takanori Yokochi cross, a Chaney header was deviated to a corner by Carniello. From the cornerkick, Caio was deemed to have fouled Zachary Brincat in the area and the official awarded Mosta a penalty. The same Zachary Brincat saw his shot saved by goalie Hogg, but the ball returned to him and this time he made no mistake to put his side back in contention.
Soon after, Mosta missed a good chance to equalise when a Yokochi cross went to Chaney who lifted over the bar from a very favourable position in front of goalie Hogg.
And in the 72nd minute, Mosta again threatened through a Gabriel Aquilina low shot which, however, was well saved by Hogg.
At the other end, it was Guillaumier who saw his effort just missing the crossbar.
Till the end, Mosta tried to save the match, but Birkirkara held on to become the first team to reach the quarterfinals.