Stripes edged by City in close encounter

by Ayrton Galea - 14th January 2013

Birkirkara failed to make the most out of their numeric advantage after they played for no less than fifty minutes with one player more after Denni was sent off for retaliation. Ian Zammit's goal for Valletta was enough for them to win the top of table clash, going three points clear and putting an end to Birkirkara's unbeaten run.

Denni Dos Santos 's sending off for Valletta after forty minutes gave the impression that Birkirkara would take total control of the match as they were playing better football but this was not the case. Just four minutes later, Valletta went ahead with what was to be the decisive goal.

One goal down and with an extra player, Birkirkara put everything forward but more or less their reaction was quite poor as the Citizens showed great resilience to grab a victory and move once again as sole leaders of the BoV Premier League.

Registering the best attendance of the BoV Premier League so far, both sets of supporters prepared in the best way for this highly awaited match. Both Birkirkara and Valletta packed their sides, with both sides colouring their stands with flags and streamers.

Both sides were unable to field their best formation but this did not prevent the match from being one of a high level with determination and resilience shown by both teams sides.

Birkirkara's sky high morale following the classy performance against Tarxien Rainbows was trashed quickly as Birkirkara had a very difficult week mainly because the absence of key players for the match against Valletta.

Mr. Paul Zammit, the Birkirkara FC Head Coach, was forced to re-shuffle his starting line-up from their last match against Tarxien Rainbows as ‘The Stripes' were a depleted side. Nikola Vukanac, Rodrigo Pereira, Gareth Sciberras and Joselito Dos Reis were all out injured, Ryan Camenzuli suspended and Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza and Rowen Muscat not in their best condition but the latter managed to partially recover on time.

On the other hand, Valletta were boosted by the return on the bench of Michael Mifsud but they had Steve Borg injured while Manuel Bartolo, Ryan Fenech and Demba Toure suspended.

Just before the match, former Birkirkara player and presently Valletta's captain, Roderick Briffa and assistant coach, Gilbert Agius made their way to the Millennium Stand to place a bouquet of flowers in memory of a Valletta supporter, Twanny Mallia, who passed away last week.

The First Half

With Birkirkara fielding not their best possible formation, they found the opening minutes to be tough as the Citizens opened well and they were the most aggressive side in the opening stages and they did not take long to create their first dangerous opportunity.

On the 10th minute mark, Yosimar Hernandez floored Roderick Briffa just outside the box. William Barosa took charge of the freekick and the Brazilian's canon shot came off the crossbar.

Birkirkara began to settle down but on the 24th minute it was Valletta who had another dangerous freekick from outside the box. Having taken the previous freekick in almost a perfect way, Barbosa once again took charge of the freekick but this time his powerful effort ended over.

The pressure made by the Birkirkara players seemed to be too much for Valletta as now the Stripes took the initiative of the game and it was their turn to go near to break the dead lock.

Edward Herrera served Jhonnattann whose close range effort was blocked by Cini, and when the same Brazilian player took the rebound, Luke Dimech cleared the ball.

Denni Dos Santos claimed a penalty for a tug by Zach Muscat on the 37th minute, but referee Alan Mario Sant waved play on amidst the Valletta's faithful protests.

However, the same Brazilian player was in action for the last time in the match of the 40th minute. Denni was lying on the floor and kicked Zach Muscat from behind, and was shown a straight red card.

However, sometimes football has a habit of delivering the unexpected as the Citizens took the lead just one minute before the half time to make Mark Miller's half time speech easier.

Gabriel Da Silva, who already had been one of the most dangerous players, anticipated Joseph Zerafa before his excellent cross made the best of Zach's out of position and found an unmarked Ian Zammit who headed home with what was to be the winning and important goal for the Citizens.

Shocked, the Stripes had no time left to make any sort of reaction as the first half saw 10 men Valletta taking the lead.

The Second Half

Despite Birkirkara going out for the second forty five minutes with the same set of players, the Stripes tried to put early pressure on the Valletta's rearguard but the latter managed to stand strong.

With Mark Miller, the Valletta Head Coach having no rather option than to opt for the counter-attack match, he included Michael Mifsud off goal scorer Ian Zammit changing formation to 4-4-1.

Having been playing in almost the Valletta's half pitch from right of the start of the second half, Birkirkara had to wait to the 65 minute to create their first dangerous and probably the best goal scoring opportunity.

Following a quick freekick, Paul Fenech advanced before firing a ferocious shot which had to bring out the best of youngster Cini whose save kept the Citizens in the lead. Birkirkara's hopes continued to take life as they continued to pile up the pressure.

Desperately in need of the equalising goal, on the 75 minutes, Mifsud Triganza who was anything but in his best condition had to be included as Mr. Paul Zammit switched for an offensive 4-2-4 formation, with the prolific striker replacing Spaniard Hernandez.

With Birkirkara failing to giving harder tests to Yenz Cini, it was the Citizens who in the last stages of the match ended on the attacking side with a series of opportunities.

In the dying minutes, a dangerous freekick by William Barosa who seemed to be in his best form when it comes to freekicks, gave the illusion of goal for the Valletta supporters but the powerful effort ended over.

However, a few minutes later, when the match was heading to the final whistle, substitute JoJo Ogunuppe made the best of a defensive blunder to advance to an ideal position but Gauci came out superbly to block the Valletta's forward effort into a corner kick.

The full time whistle found Birkirkara losing their top spot and ending their unbeaten run, but surely not their intentions of challenging for the Premier League, as there is still very long way to go.

Gabriel Da Silva of Valletta was voted as the BoV player of the match.

BIRKIRKARA: Reuben Gauci, Zach Muscat, Alejandro Mendoza, Joseph Zerafa, Ryan Scicluna, Paul Fenech, Rowen Muscat, Yosimar Hernandez (75' Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza), Edward Herrera, Jhonnattann Benites, Shola Shodiya.

VALLETTA: Yenz Cini, Ian Azzopardi, Jonathan Caruana, Luke Dimech, Roderick Briffa, Jason Vandelannoite, Gabriel Da Silva (89' JoJo Ogunuppe), Dyson Falzon (86' Kurt Magro), Denni Dos Santos, William Barbosa, Ian Zammit (52' Michael Mifsud).

Scorers: 44' Ian Zammit (Valletta)

Yellow Cards: Ryan Scicluna, Paul Fenech (Birkirkara), Denni Dos Santos, William Barbosa (Valletta)

Red Cards: 40' Denni Dos Santos (Valletta)

BoV player of the match: Gabriel Da Silva (Valletta)

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