Marsaxlokk FK Partizani 1-2 (aggregate 2-3)
A stoppage time goal scored by substitute Keko broke Marsaxlokk’s hearts yesterday at the Centenary Stadium as Parti‐ zani emerged 2‐1 winners to qualify 3‐2 on aggregate. The game looked set for extra time as the score was locked at 1‐1 thanks to two goals in the space of two minutes at the start of the second goal, but the last gasp goal promoted Partizani.
To be fair Partizani were the better team on the field yester‐ day, especially in the first half in which they were in full control with Marsaxlokk unable to cre‐ ate scoring opportunities. How‐ ever at the start of the second half Yuri Messias scored a great joy but Marsaxlokk’s joy was shortlived as two minutes later Partizani were back on level terms.
After these two quick goals the match was more balanced and open with fast flowing attacks at both ends, with the Albanians al‐ ways having the edge over the lo‐ cals.
Marsaxlokk goalkeeper Drob‐ nyak was outstanding on a cou‐ ple of occassions and Partizani hit the crossbar in the first half and missed another glorious chance mid‐way through the sec‐ ond half. rrapaj was Partizani’s best player as he tested Drob‐ nyak on a couple of occassions in the first half. On 25 minutes he passed towards Bintsouka with his shot hitting the crossbar.
Thurty four seconds from the restart Marsaxlokk took the lead when Nikolai Muscat passed to‐ wards Yuri Messias who fired a great shot that hit the crossbar before finishing at the back of the net. Two minutes later Hadroj passed towards Cara who beat Drobnjak with a first timer.
On 58 minutes Goularte had a very good header saved by the Partizani custodian and sixty seconds later Bintsouka made the impossible and shot over the bar from four meters. Four min‐ utes from time Rrapaj beat the whole Marsaxlokk defence but was denied by a stunning Drob‐ njak save.
Then on 93 minutes Hadroj passed towards substitute Keko who from a dubious position slotted the ball home.
Marsaxlokk: M. Drobnjak, Jef‐ ferson (P. Nonato 90+6’), K. Mi‐ callef, N. Muscat (J. Ghio 77’), Y. Messias, L. Lopez, A. Tank, L. Aguirre, N. Radjen, R. Scicluna, I. Goularte (J. Walker 81’)
FK Partizani: P. Qirko, A. Hadroj, S. Sembene, A. Bytci, V. Zguro, V. Murataj (A. Mehmeti 8’), M. Gueye, A. Rrapaj, A. Bintsouka (C. Mba 71’), T. Cara (A. Keko 87’), P. Buxhelaj
Yellow cards: N. Muscat 17’ A. Tank 90’, M. Drobnjak 90+6’ (M), A. Mehmet 41’, M. Gueye 76’, C. Mba 90+6’ (P)
Scorers: Y. Messias 46’ (M), T. Cara 48’, A. Keko 90+3’ (P)
Referee: Igor Stojchevski (MKD)
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Floriana advance after draw in San Marino
Tre Penne-Floriana 1-1 (aggregate 2-4
Tre Penne: Mattia Migani (G), Benjamin Boccioletti, Marcello Scarponi, Armando Amati, Gia‐ como Nigretti, Tommaso Guidi, Riccardo Pieri, Nicola Vecchio, Nicolas Lombardi, Lorenzo Dormi, Mirko Palazzi.
Floriana: Christoffer Mafoumbi (G), Oualid El Hasni, Kyrian Nwoko, Owen Spiteri, Alexandros Kouros, Alejandro Garzia, Jake Grech, Thiaguinho Santos, Kemar Reid, Matias Gar‐ cia, Dunstan Vella.
Floriana obtained a 1‐1 in San Marino to go through to the sec‐ ond round of the Conference League 4‐2 on aggregate.
Floriana controlled the match after their 3‐1 at the Tony Bezzina Stadium seven days ago.
However on the hour Tre Penne took the lead through Boccioletti.
This goal gave Tre Penne fresh hopes of saving the contest, and move to the next round for their first time in their history.
However Floriana withstood the pressure and sealed the issue in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Jake Grech obtained the equaliser with the Greens ob‐ taining a good draw away from home.
Now in the second qualifying round of the Conference League Floriana will face Vitoria Guimar‐ eas of Portugal with the first leg in Portugal next week.