Stripes' winning streak halted by Valletta
by Ayrton Galea - 5th February 2014
Champions Birkirkara FC had their impressive run of thirteen wins in a row brought to an end on Sunday afternoon. In the top of the table clash, two brilliant goals by Ryan Fenech and Hamza Barry helped Valletta win the match 2-1.
In the heavyweights' contest, which was played in front of the biggest crowd of the season of 6,000 people, Valletta gave a solid performance to dash the Stripes' hopes of extending their impressive winning record.
Birkirkara's Head Coach, Mr. Paul Zammit, opted for a 3-5-2 formation. Notable was the unavailability of the wingbacks, Edward Herrera who was sidelined with an injury, and Joseph Zerafa was suspended.
Ryan Camenzuli replaced the Zerafa in the left back position, tasked with pushing down the left flank when Birkirkara had possession, while dropping back when defending. On the other hand, Zach Muscat replaced Herrera and formed part of the central back trio.
Frank Temile's exclusion for the starting-eleven turned to be biggest surprise in the Stripes initial eleven as Rowen Muscat, back from an injury, was drifted back in the starting line-up. The forward line featured the tried and trusted duo Shola Shodiya and Jhonnattann Benites.
On the other hand, Valletta's new Head Coach, Mr. Andre Paus, in tandem with Mr. Mark Miller fielded a 4-2-3-1 strategy and the Citizens' initial eleven featured two of their new five faces. Goalkeeper Nukri Revishvili and striker Abayomi Ownikoko began from the start to replace Yenz Cini and the injured Lateef Elford Alliyu.
Belgian defender, Jason Lee Vandelannoite was preferred over Aziz Corr Nyang. Ownikoko was the only striker for the Citizens, supported by the three midfielders Abdelkarim Nafti, Hamza Barry and Roderick Briffa.
One should mention the amazing display on the stand by the Birkirkara Ultras, who once more prepared a brilliant choreography.
Both teams went on the field wearing t-shirts with the message ‘Say no to match-fixing'.
The First Half
The opening stages produced to be a tug-of-war between the two local titans, as they battled for an early edge and it was the Stripes who gave the Citizens the first fright. Steve Borg mishot his clearance from a short free-kick at the back. Jhonnattann Benites won possession and drifted into space and served Shola Shodiya, who all alone against goalkeeper Revishvili missed the target.
Converting scoring chances is essential in football and those who fail to do so pay a sour price. In fact, Valletta surged ahead in their next attack. On the twelve minutes, Ryan Fenech unleashed a superb strike from outside the box which hit hard past goalkeeper Justin Haber.
The Champions were shocked, but they were quick to regroup. Gareth Scicluna released Ryan Scicluna on the eighteenth minute, but he saw goalkeeper Revioshvili turning his low drive into a corner kick.
With Valletta one goal up and Birkirkara chasing the match, the match remained a tied contest, but it was the Citizens who threatened to double their advantage. On the half hour mark, Abdelkarim Natfi had a precise free-kick inside the Birkirkara box, and Jonathan Caruana, unmarked, headed over Justin Haber's post.
Birkirkara were unable to penetrate as they seemed to be stuck in the second half of the pitch for most of the half, but six minutes from half-time they tried for the equaliser. Shodiya won possession inside the box but Paul Fenech had his drive ending over.
The Stripes continued to pile pressure but their efforts were denied comfortably by the Citizens, who held strong to go to their dressing room with the one-goal lead at the end of the first half.
The Second HalfBirkirkara's Head Coach half-time team-talk seemed to inspire his players as the Champions went out on aggressive in the second half.
Just two minutes in the second half, Shola Shodiya delivered an excellent cross in direction of Jhonnattann Benites, but he headed high from an ideal position.
The Birkirkara's Nigerian striker seemed to have an off day. Following a fine through ball by Rowen Muscat, Shodiya saw his close-range effort blocked by goalkeeper Revioshvili.
Birkirkara equalised nine minutes in the second half. From a corner kick taken by Benites, Jonathan Caruana tugged Alejandro Mendoza's shirt and the referee order the penalty kick. From the eleven metres spot, Shodiya made no mistake to make the score read 1-1.
Birkirkara were now enjoying momentum and Valletta were stunned, as they could not deal with their fast flowing football. Shodiya's runs were tormenting the Valletta defence, and Rowen Muscat played a key role in the heart of the Birkirkara midfield.
The Champions continued to show total superiority but against the run of the play, the Citizens notched what turned out to be the decisive and winning strike, three minutes past the hour mark. Edmond Agius' free-kick was cleared by Rowen Muscat, with Hamza Berry hitting a thunderous strike which gave Haber no chance.
Barry almost made them three for the Citizens, as he rushed inside the box but saw his strike ending wide.
Having noted Birkirkara's strong reaction after conceding the first goal, the Valletta Coaches sought to decrease the threat this time round. On the sixty-seventh minute Defender Ian Azzopardi replaced Abdelkarim Natfi to strengthen the Citizens' rearguard.
Paul Zammit reacted quickly as he tried to put some sparkle in his forward line with the inclusion of Frank Temile. Twenty minutes from time, the Nigerian forward replaced Ryan Scicluna.
Paul Fenech made some fine footwork late in the match but he mishot his conclusion as his strike sailed totally over.
As the end of the game approached, Birkirkara intensified their pressure. They produced a fine passing move when Shodiya dinked out to Fenech, whose inviting cross was cleared ,but only as far as Rowen Muscat, whose first-time scorcher finished high and wide.
There was another scare for Valletta when, after another intelligent run by Fenech, the ball fell to the relentless Shodiya in the box, but his drive was tamed by Borg.
The full-time whistle found the Valletta clan celebrating while the Birkirkara players walked to their dressing room with heads held high, applauded by the loyal Birkirkara supporters , who sent a message that they are always behind the team.
BIRKIRKARA: Justin Haber, Zach Muscat, Alejandro Mendoza, Nikola Vukanac, Ryan Camenzuli, Gareth Sciberras (81′ Daniel Zerafa), Ryan Scicluna (70′ Frank Temile), Rowen Muscat, Shola Shodiya, Paul Fenech (93′ Terence Vella), Jhonnattann Benites.
VALLETTA: Nukri Revishvili, Jonathan Caruana, Steve Borg, Ryan Fenech, Edmond Agius, Roderick Briffa, Abayomi Seun Ownikoko (92′ Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza), Hamza Barry, Shaun Bajada, Jason Lee Vandelannoite (80′ Alan da Silva Souza), Abdelkarim Nafti (67′ Ian Azzopardi).
Referee: Fyodor Zammit.
Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Duncan Sultana.
Additional Assistant Referees: Chris Lautier, Trustin Farrugia Cann.
Fourth Official: Adrian Azzopardi.
Yellow Cards: 61' Ryan Scicluna, 89' Paul Fenech (Birkirkara), 53' Jonathan Caruana, 56' Shaun Bajada (Valletta).
Scorers: 54' Shola Shodiya (Birkirkara), 13' Ryan Fenech, 63' Hamza Berry (Valletta).
BOV Man of the Match: Ryan Fenech (Valletta).
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