Stripes overcome Lions to take third place

by Ayrton Galea - 22nd October 2013

Shola Shodiya's superb strike just past the hour mark handed Birkirkara a fine victory over Naxxar Lions FC in a well-balanced encounter that saw them moving alone in the third place while narrowing the gap with leaders Hibernians FC.

Birkirkara's evening was turning to be a frustrating one as despite producing goal-scoring opportunities, which could have seen them surge ahead, it had to be the Nigerian's stunning strike from distance to rescue the Stripes and hand them the three points.

If one thought that the newly promoted side would let the Stripes have a walk in the park, it proved to be the opposite. Naxxar deserve credit for their character where they never showed inferiority in face of the Maltese Champions. Despite suffering possession for most of the time, they still enjoyed their moments but they failed to penetrate the Stripes' solid rear-guard who registered their second clean sheet.

Mr. Paul Zammit adjusted his formation from the previous match as he switched to a 4-2-1-3 formation while effecting two changes. Edward Herrera replaced Ryan Camenzuli, with Joseph Zerafa deployed to his usual left-back position. Demba Toure was also drafted in the starting-eleven as he replaced Gareth Sciberras, out injured, with Shodiya deployed in the offensive-midfielder role.

The First Half

The Champions started strongly, as they were quick to force Naxxar in their own half. The early pressure almost rewarded them with an early goal inside the first four minutes. Jhonnattann Benites found space in the box to hit a fine strike but an alert goalkeeeper Julian Azzopardi denied Benites by turning the ball into a corner kick.

Seven minutes later, Jhonnattann produced another dangerous threat. Joseph Zerafa served Frank Temile whose low-cross saw the Brazilian's technique edging out Evaldo Silva Dos Santos, but he saw his powerful strike rolling wide with only goalkeeeper Azzopardi to beat from a good position.

The Stripes' superiority which they enjoyed in the opening stages began to fade out as Naxxar's tacocal organisation on the field restored them parity in possession. Their excellent work rate was now cancelling out the efforts of the Stripes forwards, who were now struggling to penetrate.

Naxxar's drastic improvement, as they had now settled down, not only were keeping the Stripes at bay but they showed great character to create their scoring chances. On the twenty-first minute, Justin Haber was called into action by pushing into a corner kick a fine deflected striker by Evaldo.

From the resulting corner kick, Birkirkara were quick to launch their counter-attack. Rowen Muscat served Frank Temile on the left wing and after dribbling his direct opponent, the Nigerian saw his effort turned into a corner kick with a fine save by Azzopardi.

The Stripes threatened again on the twenty-fifth minute thanks to a direct free-kick by Jhonnattann Benites which was parried by the goalkeeper.

owever, the rhythm of the match was still to change as the drab encounter was still goal-less. The erratic passes by the Stripes were comfortably being neutralised by Naxxar who still were managing to keep their high tempo.

Nigerian Shola Shodiya had a good opportunity on the thirty-seventh minute but he saw his low powerful shot rolling wide off the right post.

The Stripes should have surged ahead one minute from time. A combination of short passes awarded Edward Herrera an excellent position in front of Azzopardi but his shot went over.

The first half saw the Stripes enjoying a slight edge but their lack of sharpness in front of goal found them with nothing to show following the first forty-five minutes.

The Second Half

Having produced a fine first-half, the Stripes went out aggressive for the second forty-five minutes as with time ticking down, their task could have begin to complicate itself.

Seven minutes in the Second Half, Jhonnattan was served on the right side but from a diagonal position he fired wide, much to the frustration of the Birkirkara supporters.

Just past the hour-mark Birkirkara broke the dead-lock. From a series of one-two passes between Jhonnattann Benites and Shola Shodiya, Shodiya had a superb strike from distanced ending at the left top corner past Azzopardi.

The goal lifted the Stripes' morale and they managed to have more fine moments in the match, but their challenge never got easier, as the Lions never threw in the towel. Naxxar's reselient character saw them quickly putting pressure on the Stripes, who were forced to drop in their own half.

Evaldo of Naxxar was quick to launch an early bid for the equalising goal as just eight minutes after falling behind, he had a powerful free-kick ending over Justin Haber's bar. Nine minutes later, Naxxar continued with their efforts and they went close to level matters on the seventy-fifth minute by a fine shot which ended wide.

On the other side of the pitch, on the seventy-eight minute, Rowen Muscst tried his luck with a long-distance shot but his effort was parried by the goalkeeper. Three minutes later, Shodiya almost doubled the lead for the Stripes but his powerful shot hit the outside of the net.

After having already included Pablo Doffo and Terrence Scerri as substitutes, Coach Winston Muscat of Naxxar introduced their latest signing, Jeremiah Ani, in order to apply further pressure. However the strong Birkirkara defence kept solid to pick-up three precious points to put them back on track.

BIRKIRKARA: Justin Haber, Alejandro Mendoza, Zach Muscat, Edward Herrera, Joseph Zerafa (88' Daniel Zerafa), Paul Fenech, Rowen Muscat, Shola Shodiya, Frank Temile (81' Ryan Camenzuli), Jhonnattann Benites, Demba Toure (77' Terence Vella).

Naxxar: Julian Azzopardi, Victor Belia (83' Jeremiah Ani), Marlon Briffa, Angus Buhagiar, Gilmar Da Silva Ribeiro, Andrew Decesare, Darren Falzon (74' Terrence Scerri), Thiago Lopes De Souza, Andre Rocha Da Silva (71' Pablo Doffo), Evaldo Silva Dos Santos, Ousseni Zongo.

Referee: Andre Arciola.

Assistant Referees: Paul Apap, Sammy Attard.

Fourth Official: Adrian Azzopardi.

Yellow Cards: Paul Fenech, Terence Vella, Ryan Camenzuli, Justin Haber (Birkirkara), Andre Rocha Da Silva, Andrew Decesare, Ousseni Zongo, Gilmar Riberio Da Silva (Naxxar)

Scorers: 60' Shola Shodiya.

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