Floriana 1
Birkirkara 1
(1-1 after extra time; Floriana win 3-1 on penalties)
Floriana: I. Akpan, MB Muhamadou, E. Ruiz, C. (J. Busuttil 69), K. Keqi, J. Pisani, M. Garcia, A. Cini (T. Vella 120), M. Dias (A. Caseres 73), R. Camenzuli, T. Fonseca.
Birkirkara: A. Hogg, E. Pepe, M. Guillaumier, P. Mbong (R. Briffa 78), Y. Yankam, F. Falcone, C. Attard, C. Bonanni (R. Fenech 120), CH Prado (DA Capel 109), OM. Carniello
Referee: G. Tonna
Asst refs: E. Spiteri, M. Ciantar
4th official: E. Grech
Scorers: C. Bonanni 60, A. Caseres 74
Penalties:
Floriana (K. Keqi 1-0, E. Ruiz 1-0, J. Busuttil 1-1, T. Fonseca 2-1, T. Vella 3-1)
Birkirkara (I. Ntow 1-0, M. Guillaumier 1-1, Y. Yankam 1-1,DA Capel 2-1)
Yellow cards: M. Dias 56, MB Muhamadou 68, K. Keqi 111, T. Vella 120
TMI Top 3: 1. C. Bonanni, 2. J. Pisani, 3. M. Guillaumier.
Attendance: 2,010
Floriana joined Pieta H., Valletta and Hibernians into the Last 4 stage of the competition, after a penalty shootout yesterday evening, eliminating Birkirkara 4-2.
The match had finished in a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes with Birkirkara taking the lead on 60 minutes through Claudio Bonanni and Floriana drew level on 74 minutes through substitute Augusto Caseres.
Goalkeeper Ini Akpan became their great hero in the shootout as he saved penalties from Ntow, Yankam and Capel to push his side into the semifinals.
Floriana had some notable players missing - Paiber, Arias and Venancio. The former, however, was among the substitutes.
The first half was absolutely boring. Most of the play ensued in midfield and neither team created any notable actions on both goals.
To be fair, Birkirkara showed more determination as the Greens, depleted by the above mentioned absent players, concentrated mainly in defence.
They left Kristian Keqi isolated up front and the Italian striker never found an opportunity to have a pot at goal as he was crowded out by Pepe, Carniello and Bonanni.
On the other hand, Falcone and Prado failed to get to grips with Floriana's strong defence, but at least they had a few attempts at goal which goalie Akpan dealt with confidently.
In the second half, Birkirkara again took the initiative and were rewarded for their efforts as they took the lead, but they thought that they had clinched the match as they allowed Floriana to get back into the game, scoring an equaliser and even threatening to score a winner near the end.
In extra time, neither side was superior to the other and no goals were scored, resulting in the penalty shootout.
The first of only three first half attempts arrived in the 7th minute when a Guillaumier freekick was turned to corner by the diving Akpan.
On 22 minutes, Prado advanced on the right and set Falcone on the far edge of the area, but the latter's rising shot was well saved by Akpan.
In the 42nd minute, Birkirkara again threatened when from a Guillaumier cornerkick, a good header by Carniello was saved in two attempts by Floriana goalie Akpan.
That was all the two teams, especially Birkirkara, could offer in a boring 45 minutes.
Soon after the start of the second half, Birkirkara went close when Ntow crossed for Caio Prado who controlled the ball well, but fired his shot wide of the left upright.
Birkirkara were rewarded for their persistent efforts on the hour. It was January recruit Claudio Bonanni who beat goalie Akpan with a fine rising shot from a freekick.
Five minutes later, at the other end, Keqi set Garcia on the edge of the Stripes area, but his wild effort ended well over the bar. Soon after, the Greens missed a good chance to level the score when from a Jurgen Pisani cross, Marcelo Dias saw his angled effort going across goal, missing the target by inches.
Floriana levelled the score in the 74th minute. A Jurgen Pisani cross saw the Birkirkara defence failing to clear and substitute Augusto Caseres was in the right spot to fire home from close in.
Floriana were now playing better and it was goalie Hogg who denied Ryan Camenzuli with a good save.
In the 89th minute, Keqi went close to score a winner for Floriana, but his shot just missed the target.
Soon after the start of extra time, it was Akpan who denied Falcone a goal, turning his overhead kick to a corner.
At the other end, Caseres was offered a good chance from a long ball forward, but Hogg managed to block.