Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1115758
32 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 12 MAY 2019 FA TROPHY SPORTS BALZAN secured a 3-2 win over Birkirkara that sealed their place in the final of the FA Trophy. The first semi-final was a match between two sides who are eager to lift the FA Tro- phy in order to clinch a spot in the Europa League since both Balzan and Birkirkara expe- rienced a disappointing cam- paign. Balzan made it to the semi- final after defeating Tarx- ien 2-0. On the other end, Birkirkara registered a 2-1 win over Mosta. Balzan made an excellent start to the match as they man- aged to break the deadlock af- ter just eight minutes. Ricardo Calixto Correa Duarte's deliv- ery from a corner was met by Nenad Sljivic who headed the ball past Kristijan Naumovski. Jacques Scerri's men re- mained on the offensive and nearly added another goal on the 15th minute. Alfred Ef- fiong exchanged possession with Uros Ljubomirac and the latter saw his shot from close range taking a deflection off a defender before ending up marginally off target. Three minutes later, Correa Duarte fired a powerful shot from an angled position that forced an excellent save from Naumovski. Birkirkara hit back and equalised on the 32nd min- ute. Michael Mifsud went past a Sljivic and fired a stunning shot that gave Sean Mintoff no chance. Mifsud sent Birkirkara ahead on the 39th minute. Johann Bezzina's through ball fil- tered towards Jorginho who attempted to place the ball inside the net from an angled position. The veteran forward rushed forward and slotted the ball inside the net himself. Balzan replied four minutes later. Carlos Fiori Mendes re- ceived the ball from Effiong and drilled a shot from inside the penalty area that sailed wide. Uros Ljubomirac equalised for Balzan on the 54th minute. De Fiori Medes delivered a dangerous ball in the direction of the Serbian who slotted the ball inside the net. Naumovski kept Birkirkara level on the 71st minute. Cor- rea Duarte fired a strong shot from inside the penalty area that brought the best out of Birkirkara's custodian. Balzan lost another opportu- nity two minutes later. Follow- ing a corner, the ball fell for Aleksandar Kosoric, but the latter failed to hit the target. Balzan's efforts paid off on the 81st minute. Ljubomirac dispossessed Mislav Andelko- vic and delivered an excellent pass towards Effiong. The Maltese striker ran forward and lobbed the ball behind Naumovski. Birkirkara tried to fight back in order to equalise; however, Balzan defended bravely and managed to hold on to their advantage. Following this result, Balzan will now play either Valletta or Gzira during the final. Balzan starting line-up: Se- an Mintoff, Aleksandar Kosor- ic, Nenad Sljivic, Steven Pisani (Andrija Majdevac-51), Steven Bezzina, Paul Fenech, Alfred Effiong (Sean Cipriott-90), Uros Ljubomirac, Ivan Bozo- vic, Carlos Fiori Mendes (Dale Camilleri-83), Ricardo Calixto Correa Duarte Birkirkara starting line-up: Kristijan Naumovski, Mislav Andelkovic, Maurizio Vella, Johann Bezzina (Thiago De Souza-75), Clayton Failla, Ed- uardo Santos Ferreira, Nikola Vukanac (Matthew Guillaum- ier-83), Michael Mifsud, Cain Attard, Terence Agius, Jorge Da Silva Pereira (Luke Monte- bello-72) Referee: Fyodor Zammit Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Theodore Zammit Fourth Official: Darryl Ag- ius Balzan through to the final of the FA Trophy PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTINE BORG Balzan Birkirkara 3 2