Superior Stripes in a goal-less draw against Ulisses

by Ayrton Galea - 3rd July 2015

Birkirkara FC left the Hibernians Stadium with heads held high after their brilliant performance, despite only achieving a goal-less draw in the home match of the First Qualifying Round of the UEFA Europa League, against Ulisses FC. This result keeps the Stripes' hopes of qualifying to the next round alive and kicking.

In an entertaining encounter, the Stripes, who were backed by a numerous crowd, left the stadium blaming their luck for not having a victory to show for their superiority. Following a slow start, Birkirkara started to dictate the match and they created the best scoring chances, especially in the second half.

Birkirkara deserve credit for not giving an inch the Ulisses forward line, who spent most of the time in the pockets of the solid defenders, and for fashioning the best scoring chances. Birkirkara clearly was the team with most hunger for the victory. However, an excellent display by Ulisses' goalkeeper, Arsen Beglaryan, denied the Stripes from a win, by pulling some fine saves.

Unavailable for selection were Edward Herrera, Gareth Sciberras, Rafael Ledesma, Ryan Scicluna and Shola Shodiya. Coach Giovanni Tedesco, who was making his official debut with Birkirkara, fielded a familiar line-up, with the only new face in the starting-eleven selection being the former Floriana player, Vito Plut.

The inclusion of the other two new signings, Murga and Miccoli gave the Stripes a significant boost in the forward line, as the Stripes pushed forward for victory, backed by the outstanding performance of midfielders Paul Fenech and Rowen Muscat, while Ryan Camenzuli seemed tireless down the left channel.

Coach Tedesco fielded a 4-2-3-1 formation, shifting to an attacking 4-3-3 when in possession. Haber defended the posts with the solid duo of central defenders Mazzetti and Vukanac. Zach Muscat and Joseph Zerafa patrolled the side-backs. Edmond Agius, Rowen Muscat and Paul Fenech continually interchanged their positions in midfield, while Camenzuli and Morais started on the wings supporting striker Plut.

The First Half

Ulisses imposed possession in the opening stages, as they pressed high and took an aggressive approach. They had their first scoring chance after five minutes, when from a cross from the left wing, David Khurtsizde had his shot ending over.

The Stripes settled as time went by. Inspired by the excellent start of Fenech in midfield, they began to push forward, with Muscat allowed to push forward as the tireless midfielder covered countless distance.

Rowen Muscat showed vision to lob the ball over the defence in the direction of Vito Plut on the run, but goalkeeper Beglaryan closed him down as he rushed out of his position to stop the danger.

Muscat once again played an important figure in building the Birkirkara attacks as he pushed forward with the ball, before serving Camenzuli outside the box who had his low shot parried by an alert goalkeeper.

The midfield trio of Agius, Fenech and Muscat was gaining an edge over their opponents. While Agius was enjoying an excellent day of making countless interceptions, Muscat and Fenech were supporting the attack. Close to the half-hour mark, the two midfielders exchanged possession, then Fenech served Camenzuli who had his shot ending over.

Coach Giovanni Tedesco, who was continually shouting instructions and motivating his team, was forced to make the first substitution ten minutes from half-time as goalkeeper Justin Haber suffered a leg injury, and was replaced by Ini Akpan.

As the half-time whistle approached, Birkirkara threatened for the opener. First, a free-kick by Paul Fenech travelled across the face of goal, with Mazzetti failing to make contact. A minute later, goalkeeper Beglaryan made another important outing to deny Morais on the run. From the rebound, Rowen Muscat saw his lob ending over.

At the half-time whistle, The Stripes headed to their dressing room applauded the numerous supporters.

The Second Half

With Ulisses forced to increase their tempo after the break, they went close to surging ahead two minutes into the second half. Irakliy Geperidze awarded David Khurtidze space inside the box, but his shot flew over from an ideal position.

Ulisses' aggressive start soon faded away as the Stripes regained supremacy. On the hour mark, Agius stole possession before serving Plut who saw his shot from outside the box hitting the side-netting. Three minutes later, Plut served Camenzuli who had his threatening shot ending over.

Coach Tedesco inserted a fresh pair of legs in the forward line, as on the sixty-fifth minute he made his second substitution when Vito Plut was substituted by Edin Murga.

The introduction of Murga quickly left an impact, as he supplied an excellent through-ball in the path of Morais, who alone against Beglaryan, saw the goalkeeper blocking his effort into a corner kick. From the resulting corner kick, Mazzetti headed wide off an Agius corner.

On the seventy-first minute, Fabrizio Miccoli was included in the third and last substitution, to replace Edmond Agius. Miccoli joined Morais in attack while Murga was now deployed behind the strikers.

The precise touches of Miccoli started to torment the Ulisses' defence, as the Stripes were now all over their opponents. On the seventy-second minute, Miccoli was the protagonist by providing an excellent cross that created havoc inside the box, with Fenech's shot denied by an excellent save of the goalkeeper. From the rebound, Zach Muscat had his shot blocked by a defender before goalkeeper Beglaryan neutralised the danger.

Miccoli's abilities were crystal clear once again eighth minutes later, when his cross found Zach Muscat, who saw his header ending wide by inches. The Birkirkara supporters increased their volume, as the Stripes remained the better side.

In the final moments, Morais was brought down outside the box, and Miccoli stepped-up for a diagonal free-kick, but his attempt hit the wall.

The final whistle found Birkirkara having to settle for a goal-less draw. The result failed to reduce the admiration of those present, as the Birkirkara supporters deservingly gave a standing ovation at the end of the match for a spirited performance.

The Stripes will now face Ulisses next Thursday in the second leg. The match will be played at the Vazgen Republican Stadium and is scheduled to kick off at 18:00 (CET time).

BIRKIRKARA: Justin Haber (36' Ini Akpan), Mauricio Mazzetti, Paul Fenech, Edmond Agius (71' Fabrizio Miccoli), Vito Plut (65' Edin Murga), Nikola Vukanac, Ellinton Morais, Joseph Zerafa, Zach Muscat, Rowen Muscat, Ryan Camenzuli.

ULISSES: Arsen Beglaryan, Irakly Chezhia, David Khurtidze, Irakliy Geperidze (84' Rustem Kalimullin), Nika Piliev (61' Joel Tshibamba Omari), Artak Aleksanyan, Ivan Mamakhanov, Rade Dugalic, Konstantin Morozov, Levan Dzharkava, Giorgi Khubua (78' Andrey Belomytssev).

Referee: Erez Papir (ISR)
Assistant Referees: Nissan Davidy, Dvir Shimon (ISR)
Fourth Official: Liran Wachsberger (ISR)

Yellow Cards: 64' Paul Fenech (Birkirkara), Irakly Chezhia, Irakliy Geperidze, Rade Dugalic, Ivan Mamakhanov (Ulisses).

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