MFA Jubilee Cup: Birkirkara squeeze through, Zebbug triumph at the death

Żebbuġ Rangers booked their place in the Jubilee Cup Round of 16 with a dramatic 2–1 victory over Sirens, thanks to a last-minute winner from Oliveira. The match, played in balanced fashion throughout, saw both sides create chances, but it was Żebbuġ who delivered the decisive blow in stoppage time.

Sirens had the first opportunity in the 10th minute when Akadom burst into the box from the left, but goalkeeper Scicluna reacted well to save. Just two minutes later, Żebbuġ took the lead through Delarole, who surged down the right flank on a swift counterattack and finished clinically past Vella. Falzon came close to doubling the lead on 15 minutes, but his shot from the edge of the box went wide.

Sirens began to find their rhythm midway through the half. A well-taken free kick by Schembri Wismayer forced Scicluna into another save, before the same player tried again from distance on 22 minutes, narrowly missing the target. Their pressure paid off in the 26th minute when Akadom once again penetrated the Żebbuġ defence from the right and calmly slotted home to make it 1–1. Zammit had a golden opportunity to put Sirens ahead in the 33rd minute, but his shot went just wide.

Zebbug Rangers reorganize after the break

At half-time, Żebbuġ coach Saviour Debono Grech made a triple substitution, introducing Fernandes, Silva, and Sciberras in search of fresh energy. Their breakthrough seemed imminent when Delarole was brought down inside the box in the 58th minute, earning a penalty. Oliveira stepped up, but Vella guessed correctly and made a brilliant save to keep Sirens level.

Sirens responded with tactical changes of their own, bringing on Agius and Nenoto on 63 minutes. Żebbuġ continued to press through Dos Santos and Oliveira, who were both booked in quick succession after physical challenges in midfield. In the 77th minute, Camilleri replaced Sammut as Żebbuġ pushed for the winner. Sirens’ Zammit was cautioned for simulation shortly after, before being replaced by Cassar Torregiani.

Żebbuġ almost regained the lead in the 88th minute when a corner fell to Delarole, whose shot beat Vella but was heroically cleared off the line by Farrugia.

However, with the match seemingly heading for extra time, Dos Santos led a counterattack in the 90th minute, setting up Oliveira, who finished powerfully from a central position to make it 2–1 and secure a place for Żebbuġ Rangers in the next round.

Birkirkara 1 (5) – 1 (3) Victoria Hotspurs

Birkirkara booked their place in the Last 16 of the Jubilee Cup after a dramatic penalty shootout win over Victoria Hotspurs. The match ended 1–1 after 90 minutes, with the Stripes only managing to equalise eight minutes from time despite dominating the game. Goalkeeper Matthew Grech proved to be the hero in the shootout, producing a decisive save to send his side through.

The first clear opportunity arrived on six minutes when captain Kemar Reid fired tamely into the hands of Steve Sultana. Birkirkara pushed forward but were punished on 28 minutes when Kurt Borg struck from the edge of the box — his effort took a deflection off Marjanovic, leaving Grech wrong-footed and giving the Gozitans a surprise lead.

Birkirkara wasted several chances before the break: Reid missed a golden opportunity in the 43rd minute and Macula sent a point-blank effort over the bar just before half-time.

Coach Gianluca Festa made a triple substitution at the start of the second half, introducing Makoma, Kaiden Fenech and debutant Abubakar, in search of more attacking momentum. The Stripes created chance after chance, but their finishing let them down.

Their persistence finally paid off in the 82nd minute when Macula rose highest to meet Fenech’s cross, heading into the corner to make it 1–1. Despite late pressure, Birkirkara couldn’t find the winner, and the match went to penalties.

Penalty shootout:

• Macula ✅ | Mercieca ✅

• Reid ✅ | Attard ❌ (saved by Grech)

• Fenech ✅ | Mbong ✅

• Cordova ✅ | Muscat ❌ (saved by Grech)

Final score: Birkirkara 5–3 Victoria Hotspurs (pens)

With this victory, Birkirkara advance to the Jubilee Cup Round of 16, while Matthew Grech’s heroics in goal sealed the win on a night where the Stripes had to fight hard to avoid a major upset.