Magnificent Stripes dash City's title hopes
by Ayrton Galea - 28th April 2013
Birkirkara made another huge step in their challenge of clinching the Championship when they gave a magnificent performance to overcome Valletta's strong challenge with a solitary goal to dash the Citizens' title hopes.
It was a first-half goal by the Birkirkara's prolific striker Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza which proved to be enough for the Stripes as they showed great resilience not to give in to the Citizens' high pressure throughout the second half.
Considered by most as a title decisive clash after Valletta were back in the equation amongst the challengers of the BOV Premier League following last week results, The Stripes confirmed their tactical organization on the field which outclassed Valletta, for the second consecutive victory over the Citizens this season.
Following last week's draw against Mosta, many begin to doubt if Birkirkara were worthy of the position that they had in the standings but they bounced back to silence the critics and return to winning ways.
With so much at stake, the match produced a totally balanced encounter with Birkirkara producing the best ideas throughout the first half when they scored what was to be the decisive goal, but the Citizens replied with a dominant second half, with the Stripes closing all possible gaps and defending their narrow lead. The Citizens could feel unlucky for not being rewarded for their efforts as they hit twice the post while having a goal called-off following a foul on the Birkirkara goalkeeper.
Thanks to this victory, Birkirkara moved temporarily to the top of the table with three points clear.
Birkirkara were boosted by the return of four regular players as Alejandro Mendoza, Rodrigo Pereira, Rowen Muscat and Paul Fenech were all back following a one match ban. On the other hand, Zach Muscat was unavailable due to a one match suspension.
Mr. Paul Zammit went out for this match with his trendy 3-5-2 formation as he made no less than four changes from his first-eleven selection of last week. Defenders Alejandro Mendoza and Rodrigo Pereira replaced suspended Zach Muscat and Jhonnattann Da Concecao while midfielders Rowen Muscat and Paul Fenech replaced Ryan Scicluna and Spaniard Yosimar Hernandez.
On the other hand, Valletta's coach Mark Miller made just one change from his starting selection that defeated Tarxien Rainbows as Dyson Falzon was replaced by the National striker Michael Mifsud who was returning from a one match ban.
A sizeable crowd gathered at the National Stadium for this much awaited top of the table clash between arch rivals Birkirkara and Valletta as the Birkirkara fans took over the Enclousere side while those of Valletta occupied the Millenium Stand.
One should remark the wonderful choreography prepared the Birkirkara Ultras who coloured their enclosure side with yellow and red cards, besides the usual big flags, streamers and the rest of the material which adds to the atmosphere. Definitely a deserved congratulations for the hard-working Birkirkara faithful for this memorable choreography.
The First Half
Despite being boosted by their numerous supporters, both teams took a while to settle down. Valletta produced more in the early minutes but as time went by, Birkirkara's tactical organisation earned them an edge over their opponents.
In the first action of the match, Michael Mifsud quickly tested Justin Haber with a low shot which the National goalkeeper found no problem to neutralise. On the other hand, Yenz Cini, the Valletta goalkeeper was also quickly tested as Birkirkara replied with a dangerous effort thanks to Edward Herrera.
On the third minute, Denni Dos Santos made some fine footwork on the left flank before sending a dangerous cross in the box , but none of the Valletta players was there to make contact.
Dos Santos was in action once again by providing a through ball to Michael Mifsud on the run, but the National striker's effort was too weak to worry Haber.
However, on the other end, Luke Dimech made a crucial interference when he cleared the ball away from Alejandro Mendoza who was in front of goalkeeper Cini after Nikola Vukanac nodded Paul Fenech's freekick.
The first half-hour of the match did not produce a notable amount of scoring opportunities but Birkirkara were now the better team on the field as they were playing confident football and it was not a surprise when nine minutes from half time, the Stripes surged ahead.
Edward Herrera produced a fine action on the right wing before playing an excellent cross that was headed by Shola Shodiya with Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza firing home from close-range as the prolific striker hit hard past Cini. The Birkirkara supporters erupted with joy.
Valletta refused to give up and they tried to make a quick reply in their bid of the equalising goal. Ryan Fenech performed a surging run through the middle but his conclusion was deflected into a corner kick.
With the Stripes controlling the remaining minutes in an excellent way, the half-time whistle found Birkirkara enjoying a narrow lead besides being the best team on the pitch.
The Second Half
Forty-five minutes of heart throbbing for the Birkirkara's faithful were in store, while forty-five minutes were left for the Citizens to save their skins.
Having this in mind, Valletta came out strongly and after just two minutes, Micheal Mifsud unleashed a fine shot from the edge of the box which scratched past the post.
Valletta's Coach, Mark Miller quickly utilised his first substitution as four minutes in the second half he replaced Edmond Agius with Roderick Briffa.
On the 52nd minute, Edward Herrera who was being unstoppable on the right wing made an excellent persisting run before serving Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, whose effort from just a few metres away ended over the bar, much to the disappointment of the Birkirkara supporters.
On other end, Valletta went close to grabbing the equalising goal on the 54 minutes when Denni Dos Santos, Valletta's best player of the match unleashed a powerful long distance shot which stamped the crossbar. Just moments later, Abubaker Bello Osagie had a powerful shot ending over.
Referee Mario Apap turned down Valletta's strong protests for a penalty after Dos Santos went down in the box after being challenged by Mendoza.
Boosted by confidence, City remained in attack mode as their hunger for goal increased. Following a Bello Osagie's cross, Michael Mifsud headed over.
Valletta were denied by the crossbar for the second time in the match on the 63 minutes. William Barbosa's dangerous freekick in Birkirkara's box saw Dos Santos hitting the crossbar.
Having sensed his team's difficult periods, Mr. Zammit needed to change the rhythm of match in his team's favour. Birkirkara's Head Coach effected a double substitution on the 67th minute as he replaced Shola Shodiya and Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza with Jhonnattann Da Concecao and Ryan Scicluna.
Valletta seemed that they had grabbed the equalising goal when Jason Vandelannoite headed home from a close range but Referee Mario Apap disallowed the goal for a foul on the Birkirkara goalkeeper, Justin Haber. As one could expect, a decision of that type in that tense moment of the match brought harsh protests by the Valletta players and supporters.
Mark Miller for Valletta and Paul Zammit for Birkirkara both made a change in space of three minutes between the 72 and the 75 minutes. On the 72 minutes, Daniel Bogdanovic replaced Abubaker Bello Osagie to introduce a fresh forward for the remaining twenty minutes while for Birkirkara, Ryan Camenzuli replaced slightly-injured Joseph Zerafa.
On the 76 minutes, Valletta lost another good opportunity to equalize, when Dos Santos made a fine solo-action before serving unmarked Michael whose low weak shot was parried by Haber.
This was Mifsud's last action in the match as on the 80 minutes Mark Miller replaced the National striker with Demba Toure.
Valletta kept pushing forward in the remaining minutes as they showed great resilience not to give up but the Stripes' effort seemed to be too much for the Lilly whites to overcome as the Citizens were lacking from ideas and inspiration
Finally, just one minutes from time, in Valletta's last hope of grabbing the equalising goal, William Barbosa had a direct freekick ending wide.
Referee Mario Apap's full time whistle saw the Birkirkara fans euphoric for this price-less victory while the Stripes' technical staff and substitutes ran on the pitch to celebrate the amazing victory that certainly improves their chances in the challenge of winning the championship.
Hard-worker Edward Herrera who had an empathic performance as he was a continuous torment for Valletta on the right wing was voted as the BOV man of the match.
BIRKIRKARA: Justin Haber, Rodrigo Pereira, Nikola Vukanac, Alejandro Mendoza, Joseph Zerafa (75' Ryan Camenzuli), Paul Fenech, Gareth Sciberras, Rowen Muscat, Edward Herrera, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza(67' Ryan Scicluna), Shola Shodiya (67' Jhonnattann Benites).
VALLETTA: Yenz Cini, Jason Vandelannoite, Ian Azzopardi, Luke Dimech, Jonathan Caruana, William Barbosa, Edmond Agius (49' Roderick Briffa), Ryan Fenech, Denni Dos Santos, Abubukar Bello Osagie (72' Daniel Bogdanovic), Michael Mifsud (80' Demba Toure)
Yellow Cards: Joseph Zerafa, Rodrigo Pereira, Ryan Scicluna (Birkirkara), Ryan Fenech (Valletta)
Scorers: 36' Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (Birkirkara).
Man of the match: Edward Herrera (Birkirkara).
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