QORMI WIN CHALLENGE CUP

QORMI WIN CHALLENGE CUP

Qormi have managed to win the Challenge Cup for the second time after an absence of 15 years by beating Young Stars after penalty shoot out.

In the 1st half, Hunters Tower where the better team and showed superiority with batter possession, although they rarely finished their chances into shot at goals.

The Qormi Poiatti defense had several problems to control Hunters Tower attacker Luke Busutill Leaver, and attacking midfielders Chris Attard and David Evans.

Changes during the first-half in the Qormi Poiatti formation improved the midfield but they still kept on suffering the Hunters Tower superiority.

From a run in the 24th minute, on the right side, Nicky Agius Darmanin, passed the ball to Joseph Dalli, his shot deflected off a Qormi Poiatti defender and finished in goal to give Young Stars the lead.

Qormi Poiatti's reaction was soon controlled and apart from 2 good runs from Jonathan Borg that created havoc in the Hunters Tower defense, Qormi Poiatti attacks were easily controlled. In all the 1st half Qormi Poiatti kept on losing control of the ball and giving possession to their opponents.

In the second half Poiatti made some changes in the back line and tried to push more for goal. Moving up skipper Frankie Bugeja in midfield and playing with three attackers, Qormi Poiatti created several chances and from one of these chances Philip Magri found the keeper blocking his deflection.

Seven minutes from time Poiatti leveled the result following a short corner that was scored by Daniel Micallef.

Few minutes later another short corner was hit by Frank Bugeja just above the board. Another good shot from Gareth Dimech was cleared on the line by the Hunters Tower defence in the last minutes of regular time.

In the extra time another short corner, this time for Hunters Tower, saw Mark Camilleri's drag flick brilliantly saved by Ramon Chircop. The game after extra time remained 1-1 and went to penalties.

The penalty stroke shot -out saw Pasta Poiatti Qormi emerge winners 2-0 as the penalty taking was disastrous. Daniel Micallef and Jonathan Borg scored for the winners while Ryan Gatt and Steve Tanti saw their strokes saved.

The Hunters Tower failed miserably as they did not manage to score a single goal through Luke Busutill Leaver, Charles Micallef, Andrew Camilleri and Ivan Magro.

After the game the Challenge Cup was presented by the Association President Chris Busutill Leaver to Qormi Poiatti Captain Frankie Bugeja.

This win stopped a 14 years long waiting for Qormi Poiatti for an honor in senior competitions. In the match for 3rd place Ta' Soldi Rabat emerged easy winners, 6-0, against BDO Hs.