Birkirkara make sure of Championship Pool place
by Ayrton Galea - 18th February 2012
Birkirkara booked a place in the Championship Pool when in a one sided game, they defeated Tarxien Rainbows with a 3-1 score.
Thanks to this win, Birkirkara will be playing in the Championship Pool for the 13th consecutive season. With just one game left in the second round, 'The Stripes' are four points ahead of Balzan.
It was a satisfactory match for 'The Stripes' which lifted back their morale after the 4-1 defeat against Valletta.
Mr. Paul Zammit had to do without Rowen Muscat, Alan Tabone and Paul Fenech. Rowen and Alan are still suffering from injuries while Paul Fenech was sick for the whole week and did not train with the team.
Birkirkara adopted a 4-3-3 formation with the only change from last week's game was Ryan Scicluna replacing Paul Fenech. Each department had a fine performance, especially the attacking department. The team has now scored 10 goals in the last three matches which is a bit of relief for 'The Stripes', seeing that in the first seven matches of this round they only scored twice.
Goalkeeper Gauci, had a fine performance with some good saves, although he was not kept very busy. Angus Buhagiar and Joseph Zerafa on the flanks caused problems and danger for Tarxien with their fast overlaps. The two central backs Nikola Vukanac and Rodrigo Pereira were solid and decisive on every ball.
In the midfield department, Ryan Scicluna, Gareth Sciberras and Shaun Bajada had a fine match with the latter scoring a brace.
The movement and speed of the three Birkirkara strikers, Shola Shodiya, Jorge Santos Silva and Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza were too much for the Tarxien defence who found it difficult to mark these players. Santos Silva and Mifsud Triganza had a satisfactory match especially with their fine communication and combination. On the other hand, Shodiya's performance failed to reach the expected level.
Birkirkara scored an early goal which helped them to impose their game. They notched adding another goal before the half time whistle and scored the third and final goal just two minutes in the second half.
The First Half
Birkirkara opened well by scoring an early goal and then controlled well before scoring the second goal six minutes from half time.
'The Stripes' took the lead just after two minutes when Jorge Santos Silva was served well by Shaun Bajada and he beat Nicholas Vella from close range.
A good combination between Shola Shodiya and Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza on the 5th minute, saw Shola Shodiya sending a fine pass towards Mifsud Triganza who almost anticipated the Tarxien custodian but he saved well on two attempts.
On the 7th minute there was another fine combination this time between Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza and Shaun Bajada but the latter's pass was too long.
Tarxien had their first attempt on the 11th minute when a shot inside the box by Ricardo Costa was saved well by Reuben Gauci.
Tarxien had a good opportunity to equalise three minutes later, on the 14th minute when Jimmy Mayasi was well served and from an ideal position had his powerful low shot ending wide.
A fine shot by Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza ended wide on the 17th minute.
On the 21st minute a shot by Ricardo Costa for Tarxien ended over.
Two minutes later, a solo run by Jorge Santos Silva who entered the box and served Mifsud Triganza but the latter did not control well with the defence clearing into safety.
Birkirkara had a golden opportunity to double their lead when Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza was floored inside the box by Lee Galea with the referee ordering a penalty kick. From the eleven meters, Shola Shodiya's powerful but central shot was saved by Vella.
A powerful shot by Shodiya on the 35th minute ended wide.
Birkirkara doubled the score on the 39th minute when a solo run by Joseph Zerafa serving Shola Shodiya who back heeled the ball to Shaun Bajada and from a close range he beat the Tarxien custodian.
On the 42nd minute, in the last action of the first half, Vella came out from the Tarxien posts to clear the danger following a good cross from the back by Joseph Zerafa towards Shaun Bajada.
The Second Half
Birkirkara started this half like they started the first one which means by scoring an early goal which temporarily made it over for Tarxien. Late in the match, Tarxien scored a consolation goal.
During the half time break, Tarxien made two substitutions with the aim to control Birkirkara's speed and movement in the forward line.
Birkirkara scored the third goal just two minutes in the second half. After a solo run, Joseph Zerafa served Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza whose low cross was tapped home by Shaun Bajada.
Gareth Sciberras sent a fine through ball on the 50th minute towards Shola Shodiya but the latter failed to anticipate the goalkeeper.
Ricardo Costa had a powerful low shot turned into a corner by Gauci on the 64th minute.
Mr. Paul Zammit made two substitutions. On the 65th minute Shola Shodiya was injured and stretchered out and Moises Avila Perez took his place. Then, on the 79th minute Ryan Camenzuli replaced Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza.
Tarxien scored the consolation goal on the 80th minute when off a cross from the left, Daniel Mariano Bueno headed past Gauci.
In the late stages, five minutes from time Michael Camilleri replaced Jorge Santos Silva amidst applauses by the Birkirkara supporters for his fine performance.
Shaun Bajada was chosen as BOV player of the match.
BIRKIRKARA: Reuben Gauci, Angus Buhagiar, Rodrigo Pereira, Nikola Vukanac, Joseph Zerafa, Gareth Sciberras, Ryan Scicluna, Shaun Bajada, Jorge Santos Silva (85' Michael Camilleri), Shola Shodiya (65' Moises Avila Perez), Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (79' Ryan Camenzuli)
TARXIEN: Nicholas Vella, Carlo Mamo, Everton Pereira, Stefan Giglio, Adrian Carabott (45' Orosco Anonam), Richardo Costa, Jimmy Mayasi, Karl Pulo (45' Daniel Mariano Bueno) , Mark Tanti, Ryan Mintoff, Lee Galea
Scorers: 2' Jorge Santos Silva, 39' Shaun Bajada, 47' Shaun Bajada
Yellow Cards: Rodrigo Pereira, Gareth Sciberras (Birkirkara)
Man of the match: Shaun Bajada
comments powered by Disqus
