Birkirkara lose to Hibernians

by Ayrton Galea - 24th June 2014

Edmond Agius scored his first goal in his first appearance for the Stripes, but their comeback fell short, as Hibernians, who had opened a two-goal lead, managed to hold on to the result to beat Birkirkara 2-1.

In the second match of the Euro Cup Pre-Season Tournament, Birkirkara's Head Coach, Mr. Paul Zammit made a total reshuffle in his squad. As predicted, the Birkirkara Coach continued to test his promising youngsters.

Birkirkara opted for a 3-4-1-2 formation. Edward Herrera and Ryan Camenzuli patrolled the wing backs while Matheus Bissi, Alejandro Mendoza and Zach Muscat formed the three-line defence. Paul Fenech and Gareth Sciberras composed the midfield with Ryan Scicluna roaming behind the Birkirkara forward line composed of the promising Kurt Zammit and the National team striker, Terence Vella.

Freshly signed Goalkeeper Adrian Mucha Sanchez, who had played his first game against Valletta, once again guarded the posts. However, the other new recruits, midfielder Rafael Ledesma and forward Eliandro Gonzaga were not in the squad. On the other hand, Edmond Agius who completed his move from Valletta to Birkirkara on Saturday came on as a substitute at the start of the second half.

The First Half

Birkirkara opened strongly and they went close to surging ahead on the second minute. Edward Herrera made a dazzling run before serving Kurt Zammit, but his shot was blocked by goalkeeper Jurgen Borg.

The Stripes threatened again on the tenth minute. Off a cross from the back, Zach Muscat headed the ball in the direction of Ryan Scicluna who served Terence Vella, but the promising youngster hit high from inside the box.

Birkirkara went close on the twenty-second minute. Paul Fenech showed great vision to find Kurt Zammit on the left wing, who sent a cross that saw Herrera's volley parried by goalkeeper Borg.

On the stroke of the half-hour, Matheus Bissi had a powerful free-kick from a good position, which missed the target.

Birkirkara might have been superior but it was Hibernians who took the lead five minutes from half time. Clayton Failla sent an excellent cross that saw Chendo Alarcon rising high to hit past goalkeeper Sanchez with a powerful header.

The Stripes pushed forward after conceding the goal but Hibernians defended well and the first half ended with the Paolites leading by one.

The Second Half

At the start of the second half, Birkirkara's latest signing, Edmond Agius made his first appearance with the Striped shirt, when he replaced Ryan Scicluna. At the same time, the Nigerian player on trial, Lucky Omerou and Joseph Zerafa replaced Edward Herrera and Ryan Camenzuli.

Agius, was applauded by the Birkirkara supporters to receive a warm welcome with the Club. Eight minutes inside the second half he tried his luck with a fierce shot from distance but his strike ending wide.

Hibernians increased the lead ten minutes inside the second half when Alejandro Mendoza was adjudicated to have handled the ball inside the box and the referee ordered a penalty kick. From the eleven metres, Clayton Failla made no mistake.

Two goals down, the Stripes had nothing to lose and slowly pushed forward. Joseph Zerafa surged forward after being served by Vella but his shot was easily parried by goalkeeper Borg.

Birkirkara pulled one back just past the hour mark. Lucky Omerou sent a fine cross in direction of Edmond Agius, who ran forward and fired a stunning volley from inside the box that gave the Hibernians keeper no chance.

The Stripes were playing better football but Hibernians were giving a great defensive display, which rarely let the Stripes penetrate their back-four.

Birkirkara had the perfect opportunity to equalise on the seventy-eighth minute when Bjorn Kristensen handled the ball inside the box and the referee ordered the penalty. However, from the spot, Terence Vella saw his central shot parried by goalkeeper Borg.

In the final ten minutes, Mr. Paul Zammit introduced two promising youngsters. On the eighteenth minute, Russell Gatt De Raffaele replaced Gareth Sciberras while two minutes from time, Andrea Curmi replaced Paul Fenech.

The referee's full time whistle saw Birkirkara conceding their first defeat. Birkirkara will be now involved in their third and last match of the competition against Sliema Wanderers next Thursday.

BIRKIRKARA: Adrian Mucha Sanchez, Zach Muscat, Alejandro Mendoza, Matheus Bissi, Edward Herrera (46' Lucky Omerou), Paul Fenech (88' Andrea Curmi), Gareth Sciberras (80' Russell Gatt De Raffaele), Ryan Camenzuli (46' Joseph Zerafa), Ryan Scicluna (46' Edmond Agius), Kurt Zammit, Terence Vella.

Substitutes not used: Ini Akpan, Nikola Vukanac.

HIBERNIANS: Jurgen Borg, Timothy Tabone, Rui Da Garcia Gomez, Jonathan Pearson (Bashhiru Imole), Brandon Muscat (Keith Tanti), Zoran Levnaic (Triston Caruana), Bjorn Kristensen, Johann Bezzina (Ayrton Azzopardi), Andrew Cohen (Ifeani Wisdom), Clayton Failla, Chendo Alarcon (Jurgen Degabriele).

Substitutes not used: Daniel Balzan.

Yellow Cards: Matheus Bissi.

Scorers: 61' Edmond Agius (Birkirkara), 40' Chbendo Alarcon, 55' Clayton Failla.

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