Dramatic semi‑final decided by Cabrera last gasp goal
There was drama yesterday at Ta’ Qali in the second semi final of the FA tro‐ phy with Birkirkara beating Mosta 4‐3 in on the best semi finals in recent years.
It was a brilliant match with Birkirkara always giving the impres‐ sion they could easily advance to the final against Marsaxlokk, but with a spirited and never say die Mosta side always coming from behind for a memorable match.
Birkirkara started like a house on fire with Iorio missing a good oppor‐ tunity from a corner action after a couple of minutes.
On eleven minutes Cabrera beat the Mosta defence but a desperate tackle by Vassallo saved the day for Mosta, with the Birkirkara players appealing for a penalty.
After this promising start Birkirkara settled to a slower pace as Mosta grew in composure and the rest of the first half was rather balanced, even though Birkirkara always had that slight edge over their opponents.
On 43 minutes Birkirkara broke the deadlock when Paixao beat the offside trap on the right flank and crossed to‐ wards Ribeiro who first timed beauti‐ fully home from a rather tight angle.
Seven minutes into the second half Birkirkara doubled the score with one of their best players and top scorer
Birkirkara: A. Sylla, O. Iorio, E. Pepe, A. De Paixao, Y. Yankam, P. Mbong, K. Zammit, C. Attard, E. Cabrera, S. Zibo, D. Ribiero
Mosta: I. Akpan, R. Briffa, C. Ememe, P. Tenebe, D. Bonnici, C. Failla, B. Diarra, S. Kingue, J. Vassallo, Z. Brincat, R. Ekani
Referee: Philip Farrugia
Scorers: D. Ribeiro 43’, E. Cabrera 52’, 80’, 90+2’ (Birkirkara), E. Pepe 60’ [og], O. Chidera 72’, 87’ (Mosta)
Yellow cards: B. Diarra, C. Ememe, J. Ekani, A. Sylla, Z. Brincat, C. Failla, E. Pepe, E. Akpan
Cabrera.
However Mosta were not dead and buried yet as on 59 minutes they pulled one back when Failla floated a cross from the left and Enrico Pepe in an attempt to clear beat his own goal‐ keeper with a low but precise shot.
This goal gave Mosta a new lease of life as they now pushed forward in search of the equaliser, with the Birkirkara defence sometimes at sixes and sevens.
In a fast break on 70 minutes Mbong almost sealed it with a powerful run but his effort went wide.
On 72 minutes Mosta drew level when from a corner action Chidera rose above all to head home.
The drama was not over yet as ten minutes from Birkirkara were awarded a rather soft penalty for a Di‐ arra tackle on Yankam, and from the penalty spot Cabrera made no mis‐ take.
Mosta were in no mood to throw in the towel and on 87 minutes they drew level again when Chidere again headed beautifully home for a really great goal.
The game was now heading to extra time but in the second minute of stop‐ page the Mosta defence was caught napping on a Birkirkara throw in, with the ball crossed towards Cabrera who made no mistake in front of goal to send Birkirkara in the final.