Rabat Depiro secure last semi final berth

Laferla White Hart 0 Rabat Depiro 1

This was a do or die encounter, the winner qualifying for the semi final place along with Lightshop Hotsticks, Young Stars and Qormi Poiatti.

Both teams started at a gallop with White Hart enjoying territorial advantage against a wellmarshalled Rabat defence, the latter operating with fast breakaways down the flanks.

By the 12th minute both teams had squandered penalty corner opportunities, play developing into a mid field battle with close marking not allowing the execution of dangerous moves in the final third of the pitch.

On 29 minutes White Hart were awarded two penalty corners in succession but did not take advantage and Rabat also just missed going ahead on the stroke of half time, the score remaining deadlocked at 0-0.

Tactical changes were evident during the course of the second half, White Hart’s David Agius moving from the heart of the defence into a mid field position to counter Rabat’s direct route to goal by long passes straight into the D.

Play became rather frantic and errors increased as both teams strove hard to break the opposition’s defence.

On 56 minutes Rabat went into a 1-0 lead when after only the second penalty corner award in their favour Shawn Falzon hit a bullet into the net

White Hart who had been on the defensive using counter attacks down the right flank which were proving a danger to the Rabat defence failed to capitalise on a few crosses which went a begging.

On 33 minutes they were awarded a penalty corner but their effort crept past the far post, the final whistle blowing with Rabat securing their place in the semi final.