Birkirkara sink Floriana
by Ayrton Galea - 15th March 2012
In what probably could be considered as one of the best matches of this season, Birkirkara moved third, on level points with Floriana, when yesterday evening they beat the same Floriana with a 3-1 score.
It was a very solid performance for ‘The Stripes' as they were the best team on the field with continuous pressing and being the most dangerous team. On the other hand, Floriana failed to keep the pace with Birkirkara and they were rarely dangerous in their attacks.
With this win, Birkirkara registered their third consecutive victory, which is the best run in these two seasons. Without any doubt, this continues to show that finally the squad is more determined and powerful following the January Transfer Market, especially in the attacking department that has scored nine goals in the last three games.
There was a positive performance by all of the team but definitely Reuben Gauci, Shola Shodiya and Jorge Santos Silva were again amongst the best.
Prior to the first whistle, a minute's silence was held in memory of His Excellency, President Emeritus, Ċensu Tabone, who died earlier on the day. He was a Patron of the MFA between 1989 and 1994, when he was serving as President of the Republic of Malta.
The First Half
Birkirkara took the lead following a wonderful goal by Shodiya and they continued to be the best team on the field. After Floriana scored the equalising goal, many thought that the rhythm of the match could change but it was Nikola Vuakanac who regained the lead for Birkirkara before the half time whistle.
Just after three minutes, Birkirkara had a shot ending wide and two minutes later a cross by Jorge Santos Silva inside the box was parried by the goalkeeper.
In the first opportunity for Floriana, on the 7th minute, Reuben Gauci saved following a freekick from outside the box which he turned into a corner kick.
On the 10th minute, Shola Shodiya was in an ideal position in a one-against-one but Floriana's goalkeeper, Patrick Jansen rushed out and blocked the danger.
Following a fine cross by Shaun Bajada, Ryan Scicluna headed wide on the 13th minute.
Birkirkara deservedly managed to take the lead on the 19th minute. Shola Shodiya scored a wonderful goal, when he rounded two players before firing a low shot which gave no chance to the Floriana goalkeeper.
Following a rather dull phase of the match, Floriana equalised on the 33rd minute. From a typical Pablo Doffo's fine freekick, Eric Akato headed the ball to hit the upright bar, and off the rebound Malcolm Licari hit home in an empty net.
Many might have thought that this could change the course of the match but it was not the case. Just nine minutes later, on the 42nd minute, Birkirkara regained the lead. From a a perfect cross by Shaun Bajada, Nikola Vukanac's powerful header hit home to score his first goal after he re-joined our Club in February. Nikola celebrated this goal by graciously taking a bow.
The Second Half
The second half saw Birkirkara continue where they and after being denied from the third goal after hitting the post, Floriana had two players sent off in space of three minutes. However, the match was not over yet as Moises Avila Perez scored the third goal on the 90th minute.
Just after the beginning of the second half, Birkirkara had a golden opportunity to increase the lead when Ryan Scicluna in a one-against-one with the goalkeeper, saw his weak central shot being saved with ease by the goalkeeper.
Reuben Gauci performed a fine save on the 52nd minute when he turned into a corner kick a long distance shot by Christian Caruana.
Birkirkara appealed for what appeared to be a clear penalty on the 58th minute, when Jorge Santos Silva was brought down inside the box but the referee waved play on.
Ryan Scicluna was unlucky not to increase the lead for Birkirkara when he was denied by the woodwork on the 62th minute after he was well served by Jorge Santos Silva.
Birkirkara continued to pour forward, seeking another goal and four minutes later, on the 66th minute, a Rodrigo Pereira's freekick was parried by the goalkeeper. Two minutes later, on the 70th minute, Jorge Santos Silva tried his luck with a powerful shot which ended wide.
On the 80th minute, Eric Akato had a header ending wide by inches following a fine cross by Ivan Woods.
In the space of just three minutes, Floriana had two players sent off. On the 82nd minute Manolito Micallef received a second yellow card following a foul on Jorge Santos Silva. On the 84th minute Eric Akato was shown a straight red card following a harsh tackle on Ryan Camenzuli.
Birkirkara sealed the victory with the third goal on the 89th minute thanks to Moises Avila Perez, who had been on the pitch for a mere three minutes, when he hit home following a pass by Jorge Santos Silva.
The full time whistle found the Birkirkara supporters applauding their team for their fine performance and the third consecutive 3-1 victory. This sees ‘The Stripes' moving third and in the right direction for participation in the UEFA Europa League.
Shola Shodiya was named the BOV player of the match.
BIRKIRKARA: Reuben Gauci, Ryan Scicluna (76' Ryan Camenzuli), Rodrigo Pereira, Nikola Vukanac, Joseph Zerafa, Angus Buhagiar, Gareth Sciberras, Paul Fenech, Shaun Bajada, Jorge Santos Silva (90+2' Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza), Shola Shodiya (86' Moises Avila Perez)
FLORIANA: Patrick Jansen, Eric Akato, Owen Bugeja, John Mintoff, Pablo Doffo (64' Andre Grabowski), Manolito Micallef, Alandson Da Silva, Duncan Pisani (44' Christian Caruana), Joseph Borg, Clyde Borg (54' Ivan Woods), Malcolm Licari
Yellow Cards: Joseph Zerafa, Ryan Scicluna, Nikola Vukanac (Birkirkara), Manolito Micallef, Christian Caruana, Eric Akato, Ivan Woods (Floriana)
Red Cards: Manolito Micallef, Eric Akato (Floriana)
Man of the match: Shola Shodiya (Birkirkara)
comments powered by Disqus
