Camenzuli's goal the key as holders Stripes eliminate Valletta
by Ayrton Galea - 21st January 2016
Holders Birkirkara FC secured a place in the Quarter-Final of the FA Trophy, when thanks to a wonderful goal by Ryan Camenzuli and a top notch performance by the whole team they eliminated Valletta with a score of 1-0.
The Stripes' significant hard work during the January Transfer Markey resulted in a revamped squad, and they registered an important win over their arch-rivals Valletta, to eliminate them from the FA Trophy for the second consecutive year.
It was a well deserved victory for the Stripes, as their tactical discipline gave them an edge over their opponents who failed to penetrate through the channels while it was Birkirkara's Ryan Camenzuli, who once again scored the winning goal for the Stripes.
Head Coach Mr. Drazen Besek certainly left the National Stadium delighted with his team's performance. For the Croatian Coach, this was rated as the first real test after making his debut with a 1-0 victory over Qormi.
The Croatian Coach had a number of surprises in his initial line-up. Edison Bilbao was given the nod to start up-front in the forward trio, while Club's latest signing Goran Mujanovic, known as an offensive player, was deployed as a right back.
Yet, his decisions left the desired result. In a 4-2-1-3 formation, he enabled the debut of three of the Club's January Transfer signings. Goalkeeper Miroslav Kopric's clean-sheet was the cherry on the cake for a very satisfactory performance, Mislav Andelkovic had an inspirational display in midfield as his technique will certainly boost the Stripes' strength, while Mujanovic produced a solid display as a side-back.
Mujanovic started on the right side-back, Vukanac and Mazzetti formed the central-backs, while Zerafa started on the left side-back. Andelkovic and Sciberras began as holding midfielders, supporting Edmond Agius who was given the nod to push forward when in possession. Camenzuli and Temile started at the either side of Edison Bilbao.
Matthew Guillaumier also made his debut when was included as a substitute deep into stoppage time. One should mention that besides substitute goalkeeper Akpan, all the substitutes were under the twenty-one years of age.
Justin Haber, Philip Schranz, Edward Herrera and Ryan Scicluna were all recovering from different injures.
The First Half
As a cup-tie match carries a lot of weight, and as expected the opening moments saw both teams not taking any risks. Both teams went out compact and tried to dictate matters as much as possible possession, especially in midfield.
Valletta suffered a set-back after just thirteen minutes when they were forced to make the first substitution. Abdelkarim Nafti sustained a muscle injury and was unable to continue playing with Uchenna Umeh taking his place at an early stage of the match.
There was not much to separate both sides in the opening twenty minutes, with the Stripes having a slight edge over Valletta by dictating more play in midfield, but there were failing to penetrate the third end, with the forward trio hardly being involved.
The first scoring opportunity came at the twenty-fourth minute for the Citizens. Jhonnattann Benites drifted on the right channel and his fierce shot from a diagonal angle ended wide.
Pressure on both sides increased as time went by, and this led to a player from each side being booked just before the half-hour. Vukanac was booked for a foul on Falcone, while just moments later Lleylwn Cremona was cautioned following a challenge on Mujanovic.
Goalkeeper Kopric had to make his first interception just past the half-hour. In a fast counter-attack, Cremona served Umeh who sprinted forward before sending a through-ball in the path of the on-rushing Benites inside the box, but the alert Birkirkara goalkeeper rushed out and neutralised the attack.
The Stripes were being quick in their passes in midfield, as Sciberras, Agius and Andelkovic combined well, with the Citizens only chase their opponents while leaving space behind them. In one of these situations, a pass from midfield found Temile, but the latter's shot ended over.
The end of a balanced first half found both teams heading to their dressing room in a goal-less draw.
The Second Half
The second half started more lively, and it was Valletta who went close after eight minutes. Falcone headed the ball in the path of Benites who hit a rasping drive that smashed against the crossbar.
However Valletta's initial strong start faded, as the Stripes stepped up their performance. They managed to break the deadlock on the sixty-third minute. It was Andelkovic who advanced forward, before serving Ryan Camenzuli who hit a powerful low strike past goalkeeper Vella. The Birkirkara clan erupted in joy.
Valletta were quick with a desperate reaction twenty minutes into the second half, when Falcone controlled the ball before having his shot from a diagonal position easily saved by goalkeeper Kopric.
The Stripes threatened to double the lead on the sixty-ninth minute. Edmond Agius had a fierce strike blocked by Vella, and from the rebound, Camenzuli's low cross found Zarate but the latter failed to co-ordinate his attempt from inside the box.
Valletta's coach Paul Zammit included their latest signing Michael Mifsud off Llywelyn Cremona, as he sought for a fresh pair of legs up-front.
Umeh had a careless shot from the left ending wide on the seventy-first minute. On the other side of the pitch, Edmond Agius tried to surprise goalkeeper Vella with a direct free-kick, but his effort ended wide.
As the final ten minutes approached, Valletta threw everything in attack. Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza was included to replace Ryan Camilleri, and the Citizens piled-up the pressure.
Despite having a number of forwards, Valletta only relied on long crosses into the box, which seemed to be a routine task for goalkeeper Kopric to handle.
Deep into stoppage-time, Birkirkara had to play the final moments with ten-men, as Joseph Zerafa was sent-off for an off the ball incident.
However, the Stripes stood strong, and just moments later, the referee blew the final whistle and the Birkirkara clan and supporters cheered with joy and satisfaction, for an outstanding math that booked them their place in the final eighth of the competition.
BIRKIRKARA: Miroslav Kopric, Joseph Zerafa, Mauricio Mazzetti, Nikola Vukanac, Goran Mujanovic, Gareth Sciberras, Edmond Agius, Mislav Andelkovic, Frank Temile (90+4' Matthew Guillaumier), Ryan Camenzuli, Edison Bilbao (90+3' Kurt Zammit).
VALLETTA: Nick Vella, Jonathan Caruana, Ryan Camilleri (82′ Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza), Juan Gill Cruz, Roderick Briffa, Federico Falcone, Llywelyn Cremona (71′ Michael Mifsud), Claudio Pani, Jhonnattann Benites, Abdelkarim Nafti (13′ Uchenna Umeh), Romeu Romao.
Referee: Mario Apap.
Assistant Referees: Duncan Sultana, Peter Abela.
Fourth Official: Malcolm Spiteri.
Yellow Cards:28' Nikola Vukanac, 41' Ryan Camenzuli (Birkirkara), 29' Llywelyn Cremona, 36' Roderick Briffa, 76' Jonathan Caruana, 83' Romeu Ramao (Valletta).
Red Cards: 90+3' Joseph Zerafa (Birkirkara).
Scorers: 63' Ryan Camenzuli (Birkirkara).
