Depleted Birkirkara heavily beaten by Valletta
by Ayrton Galea - 29th June 2012
Birkirkara ended their Euro Cup commitments with a 5-0 loss against Valletta. This match had little significance as the cup was already won by Hibernians whatever the outcome.
Birkirkara fielded a very young squad as the only players forming part of the First Team that were chosen in the first eleven were Reuben Gauci, Rodrigo Pereira, Patrick Borg, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza. The two trialists Omar El Ghaouti and Christer Johansan and players from the Under 19 squad made up the rest of the team. The team had played another match just two days before, so the coach decided to rest several first team players, also in consideration of the important home match in the UEFA Europa league. It was also another opportunity for several youngsters to experience first team football. On the other hand, opponents Valletta selected their best eleven.
The match itself was one sided with Valletta dominating throughout. On a positive note, one should praise how the youngsters controlled the ball and stayed calm under pressure, especially in the second half.
The First Half
A shot from a diagonal angle by Roderick Briffa ended over the bar on the 2nd minute.
A dangerous shot by Michael Mifsud was blocked by Rodrigo Pereira on the 5th minute.
A header by Michael Mifsud on the 7th minute following a cross from the left ended wide.
Valletta continued to search for the opening goal and a header by William Barbosa on the 12th minute following a corner from the right ended over the bar.
Valletta finally opened the scored on the 14th minute when following a cross from the left the unmarked Steve Borg headed past Gauci.
Ian Azzopardi had a long distance shot ending wide on the 21st minute.
Valletta doubled the lead on the 23rd minute following a typical long distance shot which gave no chance to Gauci.
Referee Esther Caruana ordered a water break on the 24th minute due to the heat.
A direct long distance free-kick by William Barbosa on the 28th minute ended over by some distance.
In the first action for Birkirkara, from a long distance free-kick by Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza on the 31st minute, goalkeeper Andre Krul punched the ball into a corner kick.
Christer Johansan had a long shot ending wide on the 31st minute.
A dangerous diagonal shot by Michael Mifsud was blocked and turned into a corner kick on the 32nd minute.
With Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza on the floor, Denni Dos Santos decided to continue playing with Rodrigo Pereira signalling with his hand to throw the ball outside, Denni advanced but his shot was saved by Gauci on the 37th minute.
A diagonal shot on the 39th minute by Ryan Camenzuli ended wide.
Valletta were awarded a penalty on the 40th minute when he seemed to be floored down inside the box. From the eleven metres, Michael Mifsud made no mistake. This was led by an ironic cheer by the Birkirkara fans referring to the lack of fair play by Denni Dos Santos.
Denni Dos Santos made them four on the 45th minute following a cross from the right.
The first half ended with Valletta leading with a 4-0 score.
The Second Half
During the half time break, both teams made their substitutions as for Birkirkara, Roderick Taliana replaced Omar El Ghaouti and Andre Cassar replaced Ryan Camenzuli while for Valletta, Dyson Falzon replaced Roderick Briffa, Dylan Grima replaced Jonathan Caruana and Cleavon Frendo replaced Ian Azzopardi.
A long distance shot on the 50th minute by Denni Rocha Dos Santos ended totally over.
A dangerous cross by Denni Rocha Dos Santos on the 57th minute was parried by Gauci.
Fabian Zammit tried his luck with a long distance shot which ended wide on the 59th minute. On the other side of the pitch, Michael Mifsud's weak lob was parried by Gauci.
A deflected shot by Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza on the one hour mark was saved by Krul.
Michael Mifsud had a close range effort saved by Gauci on the 61st minute.
Denni Rocha Dos Santos cleared his own team mate's attempt on the Birkirkara goal, off the line on the 63rd minute.
William Barbosa had a long distance shot on the 65th minute ending wide on the right.
A long distance shot by Valletta was punched away by Gauci on the 70th minute.
Another break was given on the 70th minute.
A long distance shot by Benites Da Conceicao, ended over on the 73rd minute.
A powerful shot by William Barbosa was denied by the crossbar on the 76th minute and then Mifsud was caught in an offside position.
A powerful direct free-kick by Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza was tipped into a corner on the 77th minute.
Reuben Gauci made a fine save on a low shot on the 79th minute.
In the third substitution for Birkirkara on the 80th minute, David Spiteri was replaced with Ian Schembri.
A long distance shot by Denni Rocha Dos Santos ended over on the 83rd minute.
Valletta scored the 5th goal on the 89th minute by Michael Mifsud who beat Gauci with a low powerful shot.
Birkirkara: Reuben Gauci, Christer Johansan, Patrick Borg, Rodrigo Pereira, McAllister Clinch, Ryan Camenzuli (45' Andre Cassar), Fabian Zammit, David Spiteri (83' Ian Schembri), Michael Camilleri, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, Omar El Ghaouti (45' Roderick Taliana).
Valletta: Andre Krul, Jonathan Caruana (46' Dylan Grima), Jhonnattan Benites Da Conceicao, Ian Azzopardi (46' Cleaven Frendo), Jusselio Da Silva, Rodrick Briffa (46' Dyson Falzon), Ricardo da Rocha Filho, Denni Dos Santos, William Barbosa, Michael Mifsud.
Scorers: 14' Steve Borg, 23' William Barbosa, 40' Michael Mifsud, 45' Denni Rocha Dos Santos, 89' Michael Mifsud.
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