Stripes to take on Wanderers
by Ayrton Galea - 12th March 2016
Birkirkara FC will be seeking to strengthen their fourth place in the BOV Premier League while aiming to keep up the pressure on the front three runners when this afternoon they take on Sliema Wanderers FC.
The Stripes returned to winning ways last Saturday, when two late goals by Frank Temile and a magnificent goal by Goran Mujanovic turned the score in their favour to defeat Tarxien Rainbows with a 2-1 score.
Team News
It has been another week where it was anything than plain-sailing for Head Coach Drazen Besek, as once again, he will have to do without a number of key players. Edward Herrera and Nikola Vukanac are out with long term injuries. Mislav Andelkovic and Mauricio Mazzetti are recovering well from their injuries but are still doubtful. On the other hand, Joseph Zerafa is ruled-out suspended with a one-match ban.
On a more positive note, Cain Attard and Edison Bilbao will be available for selection after they were suspended in the last match against Tarxien Rainbows.
Our opponents
Sliema Wanderers conceded the first defeat under the guidance of Mr. Alfonso Greco last weekend when they were defeated with a 3-0 score against Valletta. This defeat came after three consecutive matches without a defeat.
They will be boosted with the return of no less than four players, namely Gary Muir, Clifford Gatt Baldaccinho, Armando Vieria Dos Santos and Denni Dos Santos, who all will be back from a one-match suspension.
League Standings
The Stripes are in the fourth position with thirty points, nine under leaders Valletta, five under Hibernians and three under Balzan. Thanks to last Saturday's victory, they are now alone in the fourth place as Floriana fell to a 2-0 defeat against Balzan and are now therefore three behind the Stripes.
On the other hand, Sliema are occupying the eighth position with seventeen points. They are just two points under Mosta while they have a one-point advantage over Pembroke Athleta.
Previous Encounters
Birkirkara have won two out of their two matches against the Wanderers. In the first-round match, played on Sunday 18 October, the Stripes came from a goal behind to emerge as winners with a 3-1 score. Fabrizio Miccoli, Ellinton Morais and Ryan Camenzuli scored a goal each in the second half to cancel Alex Muscat's first-half goal.
The Stripes defeated the Wanderers 2-0 in the second-round match played on the 23 January 2016. In the second league match under the guidance of Mr. Bezek, two first-half goals by Ryan Camenzuli and Frank Temile gave the Stripes the victory.
The match will be played at the Hibernians Stadium and will kick off at 16:00.
Come on the Stripes!
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