Birkirkara's positive run come to an end
by Ayrton Galea - 7th November 2011
Birkirkara's positive run came to end and they lost a golden opportunity to go alone in the third place, when yesterday afternoon they were defeated by Tarxien Rainbows for the first time ever in the Premier League, with a 3-2 score.
It was a disappointing performance for Mr. Paul Zammit's side who suffered his second lost in his second spell with our Club. Ironically this first loss against Tarxien Rainbows was against our former coach Mr. Patrick Curmi who was sacked in the last days of September
Birkirkara should blame themselves for all the chances lost during the game. If Birkirkara scored their open chances the match would be over for Tarxien but this was not the case. On the other hand, Tarxien were too effective for the Birkirkara's defence in their fast attacks.
One should mention that the rearguard's performance was definitely far off from the previous two matches, where it was solid, concentrated and decisive in every action.
The only positive aspects, that are of course of little consolation, are the first ever goal scored by Rowen Muscat for Birkirkara, the penalty saved by Jorge Mora to extend his record that he never conceded a penalty with our Club, and the goal scored by our top scorer Moises Avila Perez who scored his seventh goal with our shirt. Also, one should mention Shola Shodyia who entered as a substitute and had a satisfactory 10 minutes.
The First Half
In a balanced first half, Birkirkara had an edge over their opponents especially after they took an early lead. 'The Stripes' could have temporarily close the game twice but they failed to do so. They paid a harsh price for the lost chances lost Tarxien equalised and began to defend the result and operate with the counter attacks.
2' - Tarxien had their first dangerous scoring opportunity when Rodrigo Andreis Calvao served Karl Pulo whose low cross shot was met by no one.
3' - Rodrigo Calvao found Caio Garcia Suguino but the latter fired wide.
4' - Birkirkara took the lead! It was a perfect cross by Terence Vella, after being served by Joseph Zerafa, who found Rowen Muscat who then hit past Cassar to score his first goal ever with Birkirkara.
8' - 'The Stripes' could easily have made them two when a perfect through ball by Paul Fenech towards Trevor Cilia who advanced too diagonal and his powerful shot was blocked by David Cassar.
9' - A direct freekick by Caio Suguino was turned into a corner kick.
17' - Justin Grioli tried his luck with a powerful shot from outside the area but it was too central to worry Mora.
20' - A direct freekick by Trevor Cilia, David Cassar found no problem to save his effort.
30' - Tarxien equalised thanks to a great effort by Rodrigo Calvao who rounded a defender and managed to beat Jorge Mora with a half volley shot.
32' - Birkirkara's reaction was quick when it was Trevor Cilia who was well served, then advanced before firing a powerful but his central shot which was turned into a corner kick.
35' - In a fast counter attack Calvao could have put Tarxien ahead when he went past Zerafa but his lob shot ended wide.
45' - Birkirkara could have scored their second goal when a perfect cross by Trevor Cilia, a first time volley by Terence Vella was turned in style in a corner kick.
The Second Half
The second half saw Tarxien having an edge over Birkirkara especially after they went ahead as they operated with their fast counter attacks based on Daniel Mariano Bueno and Rodrigo Calvao. On the other hand, Birkirkara once again paid a harsh price for their lost chances.
49' - A powerful shot by Moises Avila Perez was turned into a corner kick by David Cassar.
54' - Tarxien took the lead for the first time, when a cross by Rodrigo Calvao saw Mora failing to catch the ball, hitting Pereira and ended in the net for a very unfortunate own goal.
64' - Birkirkara equalised! A shot by Paul Fenech was deflected and Moises Avila Perez made no mistake to grab the equalising goal.
65' - Birkirkara had the perfect opportunity to go ahead when Trevor Cilia all alone against the goalkeeper decided to round Cassar and his low shot was blocked off the line. From the rebound, the same player hit the ball but it ended wide.
67' - Birkirkara paid a harsh price for this incredible chance lost as Tarxien Rainbows regained the lead! Following a technical mistake by Referee Adrian Azzopardi who failed to notice that there were two balls inside the pitch, Tarxien Rainbows played the throw in and from a good cross it was Calvao once again who headed home.
72' - Tarxien could make them four when a fine run ended with a cross by Everton Pereira which Calvao hit wide from a short range.
73' - The counter attacks continued to be too good for Birkirkara's defence when Calvao hit the foot of the upright and from the rebound Suguino's effort was turned into a corner kick.
84' - Tarxien could have sealed the victory when Jorge Mora seemed to have brought down Calvao inside the box and the referee ordered the penalty. From the penalty kick, Daniel Mariano Bueno saw Mora block the penalty.
88' - Birkirkara seemed to grab the equalising goal but lack of luck saw Moises Avila Perez's cross being saved by David Cassar, and the rebound hit Shola Shodyia but somehow David Cassar managed to block his attempt as well.
BIRKIRKARA Jorge Mora, Rowen Muscat, Dragan Perisic, Joseph Zerafa, Andrew Decesare (64' Leighton Grech), Trevor Cilia, Rodrigo Pereira (80' Shola Haruna Shodiya), Gareth Sciberras, Paul Fenech, Moises Avila Perez, Terence Vella.
Subs not used: Aleksandar Canovic, Ryan Camenzuli, Alan Tabone, Ryan Scicluna, Shaun Bajada.
Coach: Paul Zammit
Asst. Coach: Peter Pullicino
TARXIEN David Cassar, Carl Sammut, Manuel Caruana, Everton Antonio Pereira, Stefan Giglio, Rodrigo Andreis Galvao (87' Lee Galea), Karl Pulo (69' Julian Vella), Daniel Mariano Bueno, Orosco Anonam, Caio Garcia Suguino (91 Adrian Carabott), Justin Grioli.
Subs not used: Nick Vella, Roberto Fagundes Saraiva, Luke Vella Critien, Ryan Mintoff.
Coach: Patrick Curmi
Asst. Coach: Michael Church
Referee: Adrian Azzopardi
Assistant referees: Duncan Sultana, Roberto Vella
Fourth official: Chris Lautier
Yellow Cards: Suguino, Shodiya, Mora, T. Vella
Scorers: 4' Rowen Muscat, 31' Rodrigo Andreis Galvao, 55' own goal Rodrigo Pereira, 64' Moises Avila Perez, 67' Rodrigo Andreis Galvao
Attendance: 1,492
