Valletta hit back to overcome Hibs in exciting cup tie

Balzan, Birkirkara, Gżira United and Valletta will contest the FA Trophy semi-finals after emerging on top from their respective quarter-final ties. Four days after their BOV Premier League championship decider, newly-crowned champions Valletta and runners-up Hibernians met again in the fourth and final FA Trophy quarter-final on Wednesday. The cup tie was another thrilling affair with Valletta hitting back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 after extra-time. Hibernians looked set to make amends for their defeat in the decider when goals by Marco Sahanek and Joseph Mbong gave them a 2-0 lead inside the opening 20 minutes. The dismissal of Marcelo Dias early in the second half proved the turning point as the resilient Valletta staged a bold comeback. Goals from Bojan Kaljevic and substitute Nicholas Pulis brought the champions back on level terms by the 84th minute, sending the game into extra-time. Kaljevic struck again just before the end of the first half of extra-time to propel Valletta into the semi-finals where they will meet Gżira United. Three quarter-finals were played on Friday. The match between Gżira United and Pietà Hotspurs resumed from the 89th minute, the point when the original match, on February 23, was abandoned by the referee after a hailstorm rendered the pitch of the Hibernians Stadium unplayable. The score was 1-1. On Friday, the match went into extra-time but Gżira United secured their place in the semi-finals thanks to Haruna Garba’s goal. Birkirkara kept their hopes of qualifying for the Europa League alive after edging Mosta 2-1. Michael Mifsud put Birkirkara ahead after receiving from Johann Bezzina on 39 minutes but Mosta equalised through Akeem Garnet Roach seven minutes into the second half. Mosta’s hopes suffered a blow on 64 minutes when goalkeeper Stephan Yves Moto was sent off with Birkirkara hitting the winner through an own goal by American player Bob Tobi Jnohope who diverted Mifsud’s cross into his own net. The Stripes will face Balzan who beat Tarxien Rainbows 2-0 in the other quarter-final. Alfred Effiong and Ricardo Duarte Correa were on target for Balzan. The semi-finals will take place this weekend with Birkirkara playing Balzan on Saturday at 17.00 while Gżira United meet Valletta on Sunday. Both matches will be played at the National Stadium.