Hibernians claimed the Meridianbet FA Trophy for the 2024/25 season with a close 2-1 victory over Birkirkara. The Stripes had to play over 80 minutes with ten men after Coppola was given his marching orders after just 13 minutes.
The curtain to the 2024/2025 season was coming down with the Meridianbet FA Trophy Final between Birkirkara and Hibernians. The former were still smarting from their defeat in the final of the Malta Premier League while the latter were anxious to round off a disappointing season with silverware and European qualification.
The opening minutes were balanced with both sides forcing corners although the defences were more prominent. The first effort on goal was a shot by Makoma after 6 minutes but Pablo Sanchez saved with ease. But Birkirkara were in big trouble on 13 minutes when referee Malcolm Spiteri sent off Alessandro Coppola for felling Felicio Carvalho, who appeared clean through.
Sending off. Video by Maltasport camera person
A balanced first half
From the resulting free kick, Hibernians took the lead with a scorcher by Martinis Apostolos cannoning into the net, although Volpe could have handled the shot better. Birkirkara appeared stunned but almost equalized on the half hour mark with a stunning lob by Maxuell Maia which ended up on the roof of the net.
Hibernians had a good chance on 36 minutes when Hamanjoda squared a pass to Felicio Carvalho, but the Birkirkara defence intervened. Minutes later it was Birkirkara who almost equalised when a shot by Nicholas james Agius was brilliantly saved by Sanchez. Another chance went begging for the Stripes just before half time when a cross by Alex Satariano found Maia who could only prod wide.
The Paolites had the last chance of the half in stoppage time when a fine shot by Khevin Rodrigo Fraga ended up just wide. Hibs started the second half strongly with a good opportunity where a central shot by Villa Iapert was saved by Volpe.
The game comes to life late
Birkirkara had their best chance to equalize on 57 minutes when Gaitan had a shot from just inside the box that was saved by Sanchez from point blank range. Hibs missed an incredible chance to make it 2-0 when Felicio Carvalho sprang the offside trap but his effort ended up wide.
Birkirkara equalizer. Video by Maltasport camera person
The Stripes finally equalized on 72 minutes when a stunning free kick by Maxuell Maia slammed into the net to the jubilation of the Birkirkara faithful. But just 7 minutes later Hibs retook the lead when a corner taken by Villela Iapert found Kurt Shaw who cannoned his header into the net.
Hibernians could have sealed it on 85 minutes when from a swift counter, Villela Iapert’s effort slammed against the post. However Hibs held on relatively comfortably to clinch their 11th Fa Trophy.
Meridianbet FA Trophy Final
National Stadium 18.05.2025, 18:30
Attendance: 5107
Birkirkara…………………………….1
Hibernians…………………………..2
Martinis Apostolis 15’ (H), Maxuell Maia 71’ (B), Shaw Kurt 79’ (H).
Birkirkara: Volpe Giacomo, Cordova Mina Luis Mario, Leonel Pablo Gaitan (Gnamien Yikpe Gislain 80’), Papazov Tomislav, Satariano Alexander, Lacunza Leandro Lautaro, Micallef Neil, Coppola Alessandro, Makoma Donovan Stephane, Maia Maxuell, Agius Nicholas James (Reid Kamar 62’)
Coach: De Angelis Stefano
Hibernians: Sanchez Nino Pablo, Fragoso Monteiro Ribeiro Rui Bruno, Silas Alfred Hamanjoda, Shaw Kurt, Villela Lucas Iapert, Fraga Khevin Rodrigo, Felicio Carvalho Miullen Natha (De Souza Alex Silva 65’), Degabriele Jurgen (Ellul Matthew 65’), Kristensen Bjorn, Martinis Apostolos Ilias, Nunes Silva Pedro Henrique.
Coach: Nisevic Branko.
Referee: Malcolm Spiteri.
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
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