BOV Premier League - Valletta FC 1-4 Birkirkara FC
by Ayrton Galea - 16th February 2020
Five-star Birkirkara FC produced an extraordinary performance on Sunday afternoon in the big match at the National Stadium as they shocked champions Valletta FC and defeated them with an incredible 4-1 score.
The Stripes extended their positive run in the second run of the league as they registered their third victory in their last five victories and brought to an end the eleven-match unbeaten run of the Citizens.
Coach Andre Paus included Caio Rocha in his starting XI as the rapid-winger recovered earlier than expected. The Brazilian forward played at the right side of Falcone with youngster Mbong deployed on the left-wing.
Valletta registered a dream start. The match was less than thirty seconds old when the ball reached the path of Miguel Alba who hit a powerful volley past Andrew Hogg. The Valletta fans were in raptures.
However, their lead was short-lived, as the Stripes made the score level five minutes later. Falcone's attempt following the delivery of a corner was deflected into the path of Enrico Pepe who hit hard past goalkeeper Henry Bonello.
The Stripes turned the match in their favour on the thirty-eighth minute. Falcone showed great skill to get past two Valletta defenders before serving Yankam who continued the ball to Mbong and the latter hit home in an empty net.
Two became three as the City's woes increased. A slick move by Guillaumier saw the Birkirkara midfielder serving Falcone who kept his cool and drilled a well-placed shot past Bonello to send the Birkirkara fans into a delirium of joy.
Valletta's hopes of performing a second-half miracle were dashed after less than two minutes as the Stripes made them four. Ntow's corner kick found Carniello who had his attempt blocked, but from the rebound buried the ball home.
As the Valletta supporters headed towards the exit gate at full time, the Birkirkara supporters voiced their joy and deservingly gave a standing ovation to their players following the performance of the season.
Birkirkara midfielder Matthew Guillaumier was voted the BOV Player of the Match.
VALLETTA: Henry Bonello, Steve Bog, Ryan Camilleri, Santiago Malano (77′ Kyrian Nwoko), Bojan Kaljevic, Matteo Piciollo (55′ Shaun Dimech), Jean Borg, Enmy Pena Beltre, Miguel Angel Alba (60′ Jhony Moises Cano Barrios), Triston Caruana, Mario Fontanella.
BIRKIRKARA: Andrew Hogg, Enrico Pepe, Matthew Guillaumier, Paul Mbong, Yannick Yankam (71′ Ryan Fenech), Federico Falcone, Cain Attard, Claudio Bonanni, Caio Rocha (85′ Michael Mifsud), Oscar Matias Carniello, Isaac Ntow.
Referee: Fyodor Zammit.
Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, Jurgen Spiteri.
Fourth Official: Mario Apap.
Yellow Cards: 44' Miguel Alba (Valletta), 27' Yannick Yankam (Birkirkara).
BOV Player of the Match: Matthew Guillaumier (Birkirkara),
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