Birkirkara's crisis continue
by Ayrton Galea - 5th December 2011
Birkirkara's crisis continued yesterday evening as 'The Stripes' were humiliated with a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Hibernians. For Birkirkara this was the third consecutive match without a win and without scoring a goal.
Despite having important players ruled out due to an injury and suspension, the final result is still very disappointing.
Although the result is disappointing to say the least, it was somehow an acceptable performance by the team. One has to consider all the factors like the controversial foul which resulted in a freekick that gave Hibernians the lead; the clear offside position by the Hibernians player who scored the second goal; and once again the lack of luck for our side who yet again hit the post - the third time in two matches. One of the best players for Birkirkara was without doubt Joseph Zerafa who despite having a shaky start, was solid and determined throughout the whole match.
On the other hand, a negative factor was that for the second consecutive time Birkirkara had two players sent off. Andrew Decesare and Rodrigo Pereira were sent off during the second half. Birkirkara, for the first time in this league campaign, failed to score from a penalty kick as Trevor's effort was blocked by Mario Muscat.
The First Half
In this first half, Birkirkara opened on an acceptable note but it was Hibernians that took the lead from to a controversial freekick. Many insisted that the foul was for Birkirkara and not vice versa. In another controversial episode few moments before the half time whistle, Hibernians made them two thanks to Edward Herrera who appeared be to in an offside position.
0' - Referee Fyodor Zammit blew the starting whistle.
1' - Rodrigo Pereira fouled. From the following freekick, Andrew Cohen's effort was turned into a corner kick which was then saved by Mora.
4' - Rodrigo Pereira fouled and was shown the yellow card.
5' - Rowen Muscat was fouled.
7' - Rodrigo Pereira fouled.
8' - Ryan Scicluna fouled.
8' - Ryan Camenzuli long distance shot ended wide.
10' - Andrew Decesare fouled.
12' - Angus Buhagiar fouled.
13' - Trevor Cilia's weak shot was saved without difficulty by the Hibernians goalkeeper.
15' - Shola Shodiya was caught in an offside position.
16' - Gareth Sciberras was fouled.
20' - Angus Buhagiar fouled.
22' - Hibernians took the lead. Marcelo Dias seemed to be holding Joseph's shirt and stole the ball and then Joseph Zerafa fouled. From the following freekick, Marcelo Dias hit home past Mora to open the score.
23' - Birkirkara had a good opportunity to grab the equaliser. Ryan Scicluna was fouled and from the following freekick, the Hibernians' defence failed to clear but Ryan Camenzuli's powerful shot ended wide.
25' - Joseph Zerafa was fouled.
26' - Shola Shodyia fouled by handling the ball.
27' - Gareth Sciberras was fouled. The effort from the following freekick, ended wide.
28' - Shola Shodiya was fouled.
28' - Edison Luis Dos Santos for Hibernians was caught in an offside position.
29' - Ryan Scicluna was fouled. Rodrigo Pereira's effort ended wide.
30' - Trevor Cilia fouled.
32' - Andrew Decesare was fouled.
33' - Gareth Sciberras fouled.
34' - Angus Buhagiar fouled.
35' - Shola Shodiya fouled.
35' - Gareth Sciberras was fouled.
37' - Birkirkara won a corner; Trevor Cilia served Andrew Decesare whose shot from outside the box ended wide.
39' - Edison Luis Dos Santos for Hibernians fouled.
41' - Shola Shodiya was fouled.
45' - Two minutes of extra time were shown.
45' - Trevor Cilia fouled.
45+1' - Rodrigo Pereira fouled.
45+1' - Hibernians doubled the score, in another controversial action, from what must have been an offside position.
45+2 - Referee Fyodor Zammit blew the half time whistle.
The Second Half
In the second half Birkirkara opened with a good pace as they dominated the first fifteen minutes and it was matter of luck, or lack of it, that denied Birkirkara from scoring. After the two dismals, one for each side, Hibernians scored three times to humiliate Birkirkara.
45' - Referee Fyodor Zammit blew the start of the second half.
45' - Mr. Zammit made the first substitution as Ryan Camenzuli was replaced with Terence Vella.
45' - Terence Vella was fouled.
47' - Terence Vella was fouled. From the following freekick, Shola Shodiya was well served but his shot ended wide.
50' - Gareth Sciberras fouled.
51' - Andrew Decesare fouled.
53' - Birkirkara won a corner which was well cleared by the defence.
54' - Birkirkara almost pulled one back but Terence Vella's powerful volley hit the crossbar with Mario Muscat beaten.
54' - From a corner for Birkirkara, the ball was headed wide.
56' - Birkirkara were awarded a freekick.
56' - Birkirkara won a corner which caused no danger for the Hibernians defence.
59' - Shola Shodiya was caught in an offside position.
59' - In the second substitution for Birkirkara, Angus Buhagiar was replaced with Leighton Grech.
59' - Marcelo Dias fouled Leighton Grech.
60' - Birkirkara fouled and Hibernians were given the freekick.
62' - Leighton Grech was fouled.
64' - In another controversial action, two players, one for each side was sent off. First Marcelo Dias made a harsh foul on Andrew Decesare who retaliated and fouled without a ball. Both players were showed the red card.
67' - After that incident Birkirkara lost their rhythm. Hibernians made the best out of the situation as they scored their third goal. From a cross by Clayton Failla, Edison Luis Dos Santos all alone headed the ball home.
68' - Rowen Muscat was fouled.
70' - Hibernians scored the fourth goal thanks to a powerful shot by Clayton Failla.
72' - Hibernians fouled.
76' - Hibernians won a corner.
77' - Leighton Grech had a powerful shot turned into a corner by Mario Muscat.
77' - Birkirkara had the perfect opportunity to pull one back. Terence Vella's cross was handled in the box and the referee ordered the penalty kick. From the eleven meters, Trevor Cilia's shot in the bottom right corner was blocked by Mario Muscat.
79' - In the third and last substitution for Birkirkara, Trevor Cilia was replaced with Alan Tabone.
80' - Birkirkara won a corner.
82' - Terence Vella's shot was somehow blocked by the goalkeeper and from the following rebound, the same player had his effort ending wide.
83' - Andrew Cohen's effort was deflected into a corner kick.
83' - Everything seemed to be going wrong for Birkirkara as they had to continue the match with nine players. Rodrigo Pereira collected another yellow card and was sent off.
86' - Hibernians shot ended wide.
87' - Alan Tabone was fouled.
88' - Hibernians were caught in an offside position.
90' - Three minutes of extra time were shown.
90+1' - Shola Shodiya served Leighton Grech but his attempt, in a one against one with Mario Muscat, was blocked and thrown out into a corner kick.
90+2' - Leighton Grech was caught in an offside position.
90+3' - Hibernians finished their performance with another goal. Edison Luis Dos Santos rounded Jorge Mora, advanced in the box, served Andrew Cohen who found no problem to put the ball into the net.
90+3' - Referee Fyodor Zammit blew the full time whistle.
Birkirkara will face Mqabba next Friday in a must-win situation, although, once again 'The Stripes, will be with several players ruled out.
HIBERNIANS: Mario Muscat, Edward Herrera, Aaron Xuereb, Rodolfo Soares, Bjorn Kristensen (85' Johann Bezzina), Clayton Failla, Andrew Cohen, Marcelo Dias, Steve Pisani (88' Scott Chircop), Triston Caruana, Edison Luis dos Santos.
BIRKIRKARA: Jorge Mora, Trevor Cilia (80' Alan Tabone), Rodrigo Pereira, Gareth Sciberras, Ryan Camenzuli (45' Terence Vella), Rowen Muscat, Joseph Zerafa, Ryan Scicluna, Shola Shodiya, Andrew Decesare, Angus Buhagiar (60' Leighton Grech).
Yellow Cards: Rodrigo Pereira
Red Cards: 65' Andrew Decesare, 66' Marcelo Dias, 85' Rodrigo Pereira
Scorers: 22' Marcelo Dias, 45+2' Edward Herrera, 67' Edison Luis dos Santos, 70' Clayton Failla, 90+3' Andrew Cohen
Man of the match: Clayton Failla (Hibernians)
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