Birkirkara maintain perfect record

by Ayrton Galea - 29th July 2012

Birkirkara maintained their winning streak and made them three in a row when they comfortably beat Rabat Ajax with a 4-1 score.

What must have caught the eye of the those present was the fine combination between our forwards as once again they were dangerous every time they had possession. Joselito Dos Reis who was included in the second half, scored a brace.

Birkirkara managed to turn the match around when for the third consecutive time they were losing.

As expected, Birkirkara's Head Coach, Mr. Paul Zammit once again made several changes in the first eleven selection. Goalkeeper Ini Akpan, Ian Schembri, Patrick Borg and Fabian Zammit all were selected in the first eleven for the first time in this tournament.

The First Half

In the first minute, a long distance shot by Rowen Muscat was saved by the goalkeeper.

A low shot by Adam Smeir was saved saved by goalkeeper Akpan on the 5th minute.

Ryan Micallef had a long distance effort on the 9th minute ending over and caused no problems to the goalkeeper.

Rabat Ajax took the lead on the 17th minute when from a cross from the left, Adam Smeir hit the ball past the goalkeeper.

Off a cross from the left, Preadae Kaluderovic hit wide on the 22nd minute.

On the 27th minute, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza had a direct free-kick blocked by Rabat's wall.

In the first real attempt by Birkirkara, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza had a powerful shot from outside the box saved by goalkeeper Mintoff on the 35th minute.

Birkirkara equalised on the 39th minute when Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza perfectly served Jhonnattann Benites who beat the goalkeeper with a low powerful shot.

Ini Akpan made a fine save in two attempts on the 42nd minute following a fine volley by Heiner Backhaus.

The first half which did not provide much entertainment ended in a 1-1 draw.

The Second Half

Mr. Zammit made three changes in the half time interval as he included Ryan Scicluna, Ryan Camenzuli and Joselito Dos Reis replacing McCallisther Clinch, Ian Schembri and Fabian Zammit.

Birkirkara were denied from taking the lead on the 48th minute when Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza's shot beat the goalkeeper but was blocked by a defender and then cleared into safety.

Birkirkara took the lead on the 50th minute when off a cross by Joselito Dos Reis, Jusselio Donizete's header beat goalkeeper Mintoff.

Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza and Jhonnattann Benites combined well when Jhonnattann served Triganza who back-heeled the ball back to Jhonnattann but his shot was deflected into a corner. From the corner kick, on the 54th minute, Joselito's corner found Jhonnattan who headed the ball in the direction of Triganza, who headed over.

Birkirkara could have easily made them three on the 59th minute. Following another fine combination between Triganza and Jhonnattan, the latter served Joselito Dos Reis who from an ideal position hit the ball wrong and it ended over.

Birkirkara continued to dominate and Jhonnattann continued to shine. On the 62nd minute he went well through the wing, he served Ryan Scicluna whose brilliant shot was somehow turned into a corner by the goalkeeper.

A long distance shot by Paul Fenech on the 63rd minute off a clearance from the corner ended wide.

Rabat could have equalised on the 64th minute when following a fine save by Akpan, a shot from a close range ended over.

A long distance shot by Preade Kaluderovic for Rabat ended over on the 67th minute.

Jhonnattann Benites made a fine solo effort on the 68th minute which concluded with a low shot which was deflected into a corner. Off the corner, Jusselio Donizete headed over.

Birkirkara were awarded a penalty on the 69th minute when Jhonattann Da Conceicao was floored inside the box. From the eleven metres, Joselito Dos Reis took the kick. The goalkeeper managed to touch the ball but it still ended in the net.

A long distance shot by Gareth Sciberras was easily saved by the goalkeeper on the 72nd minute.

Jhonnattann Benites served Ryan Scicluna but his shot on the 73rd minute was blocked by a defender.

In the fourth substitution for Birkirkara on the 76th minute, Zoran Vuckovic replaced Gareth Sciberras.

Birkirkara made them four on the 78th minute when Jhonnattann Benites served Joselito Dos Reis who easily beat the goalkeeper from inside the box.

Rabat made three substitutions on the 78th minute when Sean Mintoff, Christopher Schembri and Christian Muscat were replaced with Jonathan Azzopardi, Joseph Caruana and Stuart Eduardo Van Doten.

On the 80th minute, Birkirkara utilised the fourth substitution when Andre Cassar replaced Jusselio Donizete while eight minutes later, Michael Camilleri replaced Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza.

With both teams failing to create any other opportunities, the full time whistle saw Birkirkara winning another and declared winners of Group A with maximum points.

Birkirkara: Ini Akpan, Ian Schembri (45' Ryan Scicluna), Jusselio Donizete (80' Andre Cassar), Patrick Borg, McCalisther Clinch (45' Ryan Camenzuli,) Fabian Zammit (45' Joselito Dos Reis), Rowen Muscat, Gareth Sciberras (76' Zoran Vuckovic, Paul Fenech, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (88' Michael Camilleri), Jhonnattann Benites.

Rabat Ajax: Sean Mintoff (78' Jonathan Azzopardi), Ivan Carapic, Christopher Schembri (78' Joseph Caruana), Heiner Backhaus, Adam Smeir, Manuel Fuster, Dylan Falzon, Christian Muscat (78' Stuart Eduardo Van Doten), Ryan Micallef, Geatan Abdilla, Predae Kaluderovic.

Scorers: 17' Adam Smeir (Rabat Ajax), 39' Jhonnattann Benites, 50' Jusselio Donizete, 69' Joselito Dos Reis, 78' Joselito Dos Reis (Birkirkara).

Yellow Cards: Heiner Backhaus (Rabat Ajax).

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