Birkirkara heavily beaten by Hibernians

by Ayrton Galea - 22nd June 2012

In a very disappointing opening of the new season, Birkirkara suffered a 5-0 loss to Hibernians.

It was a match where Birkirkara never reached any level as they always looked inferior to their opponents, and they seemed to be out of match-form probably due to the hard physical training that they are going through.

For Birkirkara, Patrick Borg was making his return following a season on loan with Marsaxlokk.

The First Half

Birkirkara disappointed a lot in the first half as they did not manage to reach their opponents' level, with Hibernians dominating right from to start. Without any doubt, if Karl Magri wasn't in his top form, the score would have been even bigger for Hibernians.

Birkirkara had the first attempt when following a cross by Ryan Camenzuli, Jorge Santos Silva's shot was blocked and cleared by the defence.

Hibernians took the lead on the 5th minute. Following a cross by Andrew Cohen, Jean Paul Farrugia headed home.

Jorge Santos Silva was served by Shola Shodiya and had a low shot saved by Mario Muscat on the 10th minute.

Triston Caruana for Hibernians had a long distance shot ending over the bar on the 11th minute.

Hibernians doubled the lead on the 13th minute when following a perfect pass, Clayton Failla beat the offside trap, had the first shot saved by Magri but slotted home off the rebound.

Clayton Failla had a diagonal free-kick ending wide on the 16th minute.

Hibernians almost scored the third goal on two consecutive occasions. First, on the 20th minute when first Karl Magri made a fine save following Jean Paul's close range effort, and just seconds later another shot scratched past the post.

Karl Magri made a fine save following Andrew Cohen's close range effort on the 33th minute. Seconds later a powerful shot by Adrian Pulis ended over.

Karl Magri made another fine save in a one against one situation when Cohen's effort was blocked by the goalkeeper.

Birkirkara had the perfect opportunity to reduce the gap on the 41st minute. Shola Shodiya's gave a perfect pass to Jorge Santos Silva who advanced and tried his shot. Mario Muscat blocked the shot, the ball hit the crossbar and then Muscat caught the ball.

The one sided half for Hibernians ended with the latter having a comfortable 2-0 lead.

The Second Half

The Second Half saw Hibernians continue with their domination in the pitch and in the latter stages Birkirkara ended playing with 10 players following the dismissal of Rodrigo Pereira.

Mr. Zammit used the first substitution during the half time break as youngster Fabian Zammit replaced Paul Fenech.

Following a free-kick by Camilleri on the 50th minute, Rowen Muscat tried to deflect the ball but ended wide.

Hibernians were unlucky not to score the third goal when on the 53rd minute, Clayton Failla who seemed to be in an offside position advanced and tried a lob which hit the right post and was saved by Magri.

Ryan Scicluna sent a perfect through-ball towards Jorge Santos Silva on the 58th minute but Mario Muscat came out and stopped the danger.

Hibernians scored their third goal on the 59th minute. Following a lack of communication between Joseph Zerafa and Karl Magri, Jean Paul Farrugia easily lobbed the ball over Magri to score a brace.

A direct free-kick by Clayton Failla was turned into a corner by Karl Magri on the 61st minute.

Hibernians made their first substitution on the 62nd minute when Bjorn Kristensen was replaced with Steve Pisani.

Karl Magri made another fine save on the 69th minute following a shot from the edge of the box.

Jorge Santos Silva had a weak shot easily saved by Mario Muscat on the 72nd minute.

Clayton Failla had a perfect opportunity to increase the lead but his diagonal shot scratched past the post on the 72nd minute.

Hibernians made two substitutions on the 73th minute when Clayton Failla was replaced with Marcelo Dias and Ryan Camilleri was replaced with Matthew Gauci.

Karl Magri made a fine outing neutralising the danger following a perfect pass by Cohen on the 74th minute.

Birkirkara made their second substitution as Michael Camilleri was replaced with Ian Schembri on the 75th minute.

Birkirkara ended playing with 10 players on the 78th minute when Rodrigo Pereira was sent off for a harsh foul.

Hibernians scored the fourth goal on the 79th minute when a direct free-kick by Andrew Cohen was deflected by Steve Pisani hitting the right post and ending in the net.

Mr. Zammit utilised the third substitution on the 81st minute, when Joseph Zerafa was replaced by Patrick Borg.

A powerful low shot by Shodiya was saved by Muscat on the 81st minute.

Fabian Zammit had a weak long distance shot ending wide on the 83rd minute.

Hibernians had a goal disallowed for an offside position on the 84th minute.

Shola Shodiya had a fine shot from a long distance punched away by Muscat on the 86th minute.

Shodiya was in action once again when another powerful shot from a long distance ended over on the 89th minute.

Hibernians scored their fifth goal on the 90th minute when Cohen's shot hit the crossbar and Jean Paul Farrugia headed in an empty net.

Birkirkara:Karl Magri, Ryan Scicluna, Rodrigo Pereira, Nikola Vukanac, Joseph Zerafa (81' Patrick Borg) , Paul Fenech (45' Fabian Zammit), Rowen Muscat, Ryan Camenzuli, Michael Camilleri (75' Ian Schembri) , Jorge Santos Silva, Shola Shodiya.

Hibernians:Mario Muscat, Ryan Camilleri (73' Matthew Gauci), Rodolfo Soares, Jason Vandelannoite, Adrian Pulis, Bjorn Kristensen (62' Steve Pisani), Clayton Failla (73' Marcelo Dias), Johann Bezzina, Triston Caruana, Jean Paul Farrugia, Andrew Cohen.

Scorers: 5' Jean Paul Farrugia, !3' Clayton Failla, 59' Jean Paul Farrugia, 79' Steve Pisani, 90' Jean Paul Farrugia.

Yellow Cards: Joseph Zerafa (Birkirkara), Johann Bezzina (Hibernians)

Red Cards: Rodrigo Pereira

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