Birkirkara back on track
by Ayrton Galea - 4th February 2013
Two goals in the first half enabled Birkirkara to defeat Qormi with the odd goal in three to return back on track for their title challenge as the Stripes made the best out of the Citizens and Hibernians slip ups to reduce the gap in the top of the table of the BoV Premier League.
With Hibernians losing to Floriana, and Valletta held by Balzan in a 1-1 draw, Birkirkara could consider this weekend as a good one as they reduced the gap with leaders Valletta to just three points and just two to second placed Hibernians.
Having lost two precious points last Sunday, the Stripes knew that there were no room to drop more points which would have increases the gap with leaders Valletta. Despite not having the best performance, Birkirkara managed to do enough to pick up three important points.
Birkirkara started strongly and they were superior to their opponents in the first half. However, in the second half Qormi were in charge of the game and if it was not for some strong defending, and great reflexes by the latest signing Justin Haber, Qormi might have not left with empty hands.
Mr. Paul Zammit opted for the 4-3-3 formation with Joselito Dos Reis making his first appearance after a long absenc, with Jhonnattann Da Concecao and Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza in the forward line. Joselito replaced Ryan Camenzuli while Yosimar replaced Rowen Muscat, both out injured. Jhonnattann replaced Alejandro Mendoza who was on the substitutes' bench for the first time this season.
The First Half
Qormi started strongly and they went near at an early stage. Just four minutes into the match, Edison Bilboa Zarate made a solo action before unleashing a powerful shot which rattled over the crossbar.
However, Birkirkara were quick to react and it was their turn to come close to break the dead lock. On the sixth minute, Gareth Sciberras sent a perfect cross in direction of Jhonnattann whose flying header was blocked by Farrugia, and off the rebound, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza had his effort blocked by a defender.
The Stripes surged ahead after 26 minutes. Paul Fenech's powerful shot was blocked by Farrugia with Joselito's first rebound also blocked by the goalkeeper, but the Brazilian forward made no mistake in the second time of asking to score his first goal following his long term injury. No surprise for Joselito's spontaneous celebrations for this goal.
Qormi failed to make any sort of reaction and with the Stripes still playing better football, Mr. Jesmond Zerafa's side had to fall for the second goal after twelve minutes after Birkirkara broke the dead lock.
On the 38th minute, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza showed a great vision of play by releasing a perfect through-ball to the Brazilian Jhonnattann, who advanced then slotted home past Farrugia with a low shot.
Thanks to this second goal, Birkirkara had a fine cushion for the rest of the match to adopt their match with less pressure, but Qormi showed great resilience and did not throw in the towel.
One minute from time Qormi should have pulled one back but Vukanac's last second interception was vital for the Stripes to end the first half with a two goal lead. Alfred Effiong, Qormi's most dangerous player in the first half, released Bilboa Zarate, who rounded Haber, but Vukanac cleared into a corner to deny Qormi from pulling one back.
The first half saw the Stripes having a comfortable two goal advantage.
The Second Half
Jesmond Zerafa's words in the half-time seemed to fire up Qormi's hopes as the Yellow-Blacks went out for the second period of the match with more aggressive play, aided by the inclusion of two former Birkirkara players, Leighton Grech and Moises Avila Perez in the forward line.
Following a quite start, on the 58 minutes, Luke Sciberras had a free-kick turned into a corner by the Birkirkara goalkeeper Justin Haber.
With Birkirkara two goals ahead, and with Qormi showing clear signs of their all out attack mentality in the second half, Mr. Paul Zammit introduced defender Alejandro Mendoza off Yosimar Hernandez to give more strength in his defending department for the remaining thirty minutes.
On the 65 minutes, Qormi went near to pull one back. Jonathan Bondin released Moises Avila Perez on the left wing, with the Spaniard advancing and rounding Haber but his shot was cleared by a defender.
Shola Shodiya was included instead the goal scorer Joselito Dos Reis for the final twenty minutes, with the Brazilian forward receiving a standing ovation by the Birkirkara supporters for his goal and his performance.
On the 73 minutes, with Qormi still on the attack and searching for a goal, Kris Thackray had a central freekick easily saved by Justin Haber.
Four minutes later, substitute Shodiya went near to increase the lead for Birkirkara. Jhonnattann's freekick found Shodiya whose flying header was parried by Farrugia.
Edward Herrera replaced Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza on the 78 minutes in Birkirkara's last substitution.
Qormi deservingly pulled one back ten minutes from time when Alfred Effiong unleashed a powerful diagonal shot which gave Haber no chance to bring back to life Qormi's hopes.
Despite Qormi putting everything in front, Birkirkara stayed strong enough to keep their goal advantage and pick up three precious points which narrowed the gap, with just one game before the Championship Pool starts.
BIRKIRKARA: Justin Haber, Ryan Scicluna, Zach Muscat, Nikola Vukanac, Joseph Zerafa, Gareth Sciberras, Paul Fenech, Yosimar Hernandez (60' Alejandro Mendoza), Joselito Dos Reis (70' Shola Shodiya), Jhonnattann Da Concecao, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (78' Edward Herrera)
QORMI: Matthew Farrugia, Kris Thackray, Roderick Sammut (45' Moises Avila Perez), Alfred Effiong, Joseph Chetcuti (45' Leighton Grech), Luke Sciberras, Matthew Gauci, Edison Bilboa Zarate, Duncan Pisani, Jonathan Bondin, Stephen Wellman.
Scorers: 26' Joselito Dos Reis, 38' Jhonnattann (Birkirkara), 80' Alfred Effiong (Qormi)
Yellow Cards: Jhonnattann, Joseph Zerafa, Paul Fenech, Zach Muscat.
Man of the match: Paul Fenech
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