Birkirkara beaten by Valletta
by Ayrton Galea - 12th February 2012
Birkirkara suffered the second defeat in three matches when earlier this evening, they were defeated by Valletta with a 4-1 score.
Two early goals by Valletta in the first 15 minutes made things easier for the 'Lilywhites' but then 'The Stripes' reaction was a rather good one.
Today the defence department had an off day, in contrast with their performance in the previous matches. The midfield department also did not live up to its expectations.
Nikola Vukanac was making his debut for Birkirkara. Missing for 'The Stripes were Rowen Muscat and Alan Tabone both ruled out injured
The First Half
The first half saw Valletta opening a two goal lead in the first 15 minutes. Birkirkara's reaction was quite positive and they almost pulled one back with a wonderful shot by Shola Shodiya which was however denied by the cross bar.
Valletta had a perfect start when on the 3rd minute they took the lead. Michael Mifsud releases Denni Rocha Dos Santos who beat Reuben Gauci with a low shot.
Still shocked after suffering an early goal, Birkirkara conceded another goal on the 16th minute when Roderick Briffa served Ousseni Zongo who made no mistake.
Birkirkara almost pulled one back just one minute later. Shola Shodiya's solo run was rounded with a powerful shot from outside the area but it was denied by the cross bar and from the rebound Paul Fenech had his shot ending over.
Shaun Bajada had a good shot ending over the bar on the 17th minute.
Birkirkara were unlucky again on the 35th minute when Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza had his shot scratching past the post following a great save by Andrew Hogg who turned his effort into a corner kick.
The Second Half
In the second half, Birkirkara tried everything to pull one back but it was the 'Citizens' who increased the lead. Late in the game, Moises Avila Perez pulled one back, but Alfred Effiong scored the fourth goal for Valletta in the dying seconds.
Early in the second half Nikola Vukanac lost a good chance when he failed to connect well with the ball, after he was served by Shaun Bajada.
Birkirkara appealed for a penalty when Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza was floored inside the box, with the referee waving play on.
Valletta were unlucky not to score the third goal on the 58th minute when shots by Ousseni Zongo and Denni Rocha Dos Santos were blocked with Rodrigo Pereira clearing the ball off the goal line. From the rebound an effort by Ousseni Zongo was turned into corner by Reuben Gauci.
Just two minutes later, a powerful shot by Ousseni Zongo was denied by the post.
Valletta scored their third goal on the 68th minute. Jonathan Caruana was served with a fine cross and after a fast overlap lobbed the ball over Reuben Gauci.
Valletta continued to dominate and two minutes later Gauci rushed out on Mifsud to throw the ball into a corner.
Birkirkara replied with a direct freekick by Shaun Bajada on the 73rd minute which ended wide by inches.
Six minutes from time, on the 84th minute, Jorge Santos Silva had a shot from outside the area saved by Andrew Hogg.
Birkirkara pulled one back on the 89th minute. A cross by Angus Buhagiar was met by Ryan Scicluna who had his attempt blocked and from the rebound Moises Avila Perez beat Hogg.
However, Valletta re-gained the three goal lead when unmarked Alfred Effiong headed home following a freekick.
BIRKIRKARA: Reuben Gauci, Angus Buhagiar, Rodrigo Pereira (65' Moises Avila Perez), Nikola Vukanac. Joseph Zerafa, Gareth Sciberras, Paul Fenech, Shaun Bajada (79' Ryan Camenzuli), Jorge Santos Silva, Shola Shodiya, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (71' Ryan Scicluna)
VALLETTA: Andrew Hogg, Jonathan Caruana, Steve Borg, Saidou Mady Pananadetiguiri, Ian Azzopardi, Roderick Bajada (60' William Barbosa), Roderick Briffa, Edmond Agius, Ousseni Zongo (85' Alfred Effiong), Denni Rocha Dos Santos, Michael Mifsud (89'Gilbert Agius).
YELLOW CARDS: Nikola Vukanac, Shola Shodiya, Shaun Bajada (Birkirkara)
MAN OF THE MATCH: Ousseni Zongo (Valletta)
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