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Double joy as Birkirkara reach final and seal Euro spot

Published: 29-04-2018 10:20
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BIRKIRKARA                1SLIEMA WANDERERS 1(AET; 90 mins – 1-1; Birkirkara win 3-2 on penalties) It was a case of double delight for Birkirkara on Saturday as they beat Sliema Wanderers on penalties to advance to the final of the BOOST Diesel FA Trophy and also secured qualification to the Europa League on the back of their fourth-place finish in the league. Birkirkara will face either champions Valletta or Balzan, who have both qualified for Europe, in the final on Saturday, May 5. Saturday’s semi-final was a slow-burning affair with the first half ending goalless. Birkirkara nosed ahead four minutes into the second half when Edward Herrera made headway on the right before delivering a teasing cross towards Ongjen Rolovic who fired home. Sliema equalised in the 62nd minute. Nii Norty Ashong’s vertical pass on the left flank appeared to be covered by Lucas Maia but the latter dithered for a second and in flashed Frank Temile who sped into the box and lifted the ball over the on-rushing Kristijan Naumovski. With neither side capable of imposing themselves on the proceedings, the match went into extra-time. Birkirkara came closest to scoring when Srdjan Dimitrov’s free-kick rattled the crossbar. In the penalty shoot-out, Naumovski saved from Mark Scerri and Mattias Muchardi while Edmond Agius rifled high. Edward Herrera and Ryan Scicluna missed for the Stripes but they eventually prevailed with Mislav Andelkovic scoring the winning penalty.