Sliema beat old rivals Floriana to set-up Final with Hamrun Spartans

PRE-SEASON SUMMER CUP 2024

7.8.24
Centenary Stadium, Ta’ Qali
2^nd Semi-Final

SLIEMA WANDERERS…1
FLORIANA…1
Sliema Wanderers winners after penalty kicks: 5-4
(HT 1-0)

1-0 Murilo Freire 14, 1-1 Franklin Sasere 75.

Like the first Semi-Final of the Summer Cup played yesterday between Hamrun Spartans and Marsaxlokk, also tonight’s second Semi-Final with Sliema Wanderers and Floriana had to be decided with a penalty shoot-out. It was a rather balanced game with the Blues having a slight upper-hand before the break while the Irish were passing through a good period after the change of ends.

On six minutes, Mattia Veselji had a free header but missed target after Anthony Obonogwu did all the hard work on the right flank. It was Sliema who broke the deadlock on 14 minutes through Murilo Freire, who headed into the empty net when a Steve Pisani free-kick created havoc in the Floriana box. Despite the friendly purpose of the match, the Old Firm spirit was most definitely there with lots of fouls committed from both angles, which resulted in plenty of stoppages and halted the rhythm of both teams.

Three minutes after the re-start, Cain Attard should have doubled for the Wanderers but mistimed his free attempt from a Vito Plut assist, which resulted into a routine save by Nemanja Andrijanic, the Floriana goalkeeper. But it was Floriana who most definitely showed the better ideas after the break, with Dunstan Vella’s attempt from the edge of the box sailing inches high just after the hour.

On 74 minutes, substitute Adam Magri Overend was unlucky to hit the post from 20-meters distance with Andrijanic beaten. But in the attack on the other side that followed, substitute Franklin Sasere was sent through the middle, beating Wanderers custodian Kelvin Emeka with a low shot.

The old rivals failed to find the net in the remaining part of the match, which meant the game went immediately to the decisive spotkicks. Andrijanic saved Samuel Gomes’ effort for Sliema while Thaguinho Santos missed target for Floriana. It was Dunstan Vella however who missed the last Floriana penalty, sending Sliema Wanderers into the Final.

Hamrun Spartans and Sliema Wanderers will now contest the Final, to be played at the National Stadium this Saturday with a kick off time of 18h30. The winning team will be presented with a trophy at the end of the game.

Images copyright by Walter Sargent