Superior Birkirkara defeats Hamrun

by Ayrton Galea - 14th February 2013

Birkirkara made sure that they will began the Championship Pool phase just one point behind the leaders when yesterday night they were a superior side to Hamrun Spartans and managed to hit them with three without reply.

Having overcome this test, the Stripes confirmed their place in the title race for the final ten matches, along with Valletta and Hibernians who will both start the Championship Pool commitments one point over Birkirkara.

It was a one traffic match as Birkirkara made their intentions clear to all, grabbing an early lead, and the adding another two goals till the final whistle, despite being denied several times by Hamrun's young goalkeeper Andre Cassar.

Edward Herrera was a continuous torment for the Hamrun's defence as Birkirkara seemed to be penetrating quite comfortable from their right side thanks to the National player's speed who continued to improve on his recent performances. Youngster Ryan Camenzuli gave nothing less, as not only he did he score a great goal, but was also voted as the man of the match.

With the Stripes affording nothing but a win, Mr. Zammit opted for an offensive 3-4-3 formation with Jhonnattann Da Concecao, Shola Shodiya and Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza in the forward line. Four changes were made to the line-up from the last outing as Ryan Camenzuli, Alejandro Mendoza, Edward Herrera and Shola Shodiya all made it back to the starting formation. Joseph Zerafa and Paul Fenech were suspended while Rowen Muscat was ruled out injured.

The First Half

Torrential rain across the National Stadium did not stop Birkirkara to come out aggressive and searching to surge ahead as early as possible.

Birkirkara went close to the opening goal after just six minutes. Edward Herrera performed a fine run on the right flank before his cross was met with a brilliant bicycle kick by Jhonnattann which was turned into a corner kick. From the resulting corner, Zach Muscat saw his header parried by goalkeeper Cassar.

However, the Stripes did not have long to wait to draw first blood as they surged ahead on the 10th minute. Once again, it was Herrera who penetrated the Hamrun's defence from Birkirkara's right hand side before his low cross saw Jhonnattann having his attempt blocked by the goalkeeper, but Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza hit home off the rebound.

Hamrun seemed to be too weak to make any reaction with Birkirkara continuing to be the most aggressive side in the pitch, despite failing to test Cassar.

Birkirkara had a fine chance to double the score after 37 minutes when following a short clearance, Mifsud Triganza had a vicious shot ending over.

However, with the game heading into the half time break, Birkirkara put their mind at rest on the 43rd minute, as the Stripes added another goal. Edward Herrera made the best out of a defensive blunder before his shot managed to beat Cassar.

The first half saw Birkirkara leading with a comfortable 2-0.

The Second Half

Birkirkara were more aggressive and precise both in their passing and finishing which on several attempts, brought out the best of goalkeeper Cassar in order to keep the Spartans in the match.

Five minutes in the second half, Birkirkara went close to make them three. Edward Herrera sent a dangerous low cross which Triganza hit, but his effort ended wide.

On the 54th minute, Ryan Camenzuli had a powerful shot turned into a corner by Cassar. Just one minute later, Shola made a fine solo action from the right, cutting to the middle before his ferocious shot was turned once again into a corner by Cassar.

In Birkirkara's first substitution on the 68th minute, Joselito Dos Reis was included off Jhonnattann.

Ryan Camenzuli who seemed to be on fire in the second half had a wonderful deflected shot somehow turned by Cassar into a corner kick after 72 minutes. Just one minute later, the Stripes were unlucky not to add their third goal when Scicluna had his effort hitting the crossbar from the edge of the area.

However, Birkirkara were not denied on the 78th minute as they added the third goal to remove any doubts where the three precious points where going. Ryan Camenzuli fired a brilliant shot which aided by a deflection surprised Cassar.

Birkirkara made two substitutions in the final stages as Mr. Paul Zammit introduced two youngsters. First, Kurt Zammit replaced Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza on the 84 minutes and then, Under 19 player Roderick Taliana made his Premier League debut replacing goal scorer Ryan Camenzuli.

Just before the full time whistle, Birkirkara could have made them four. Substitute Joselito Dos Reis served Edward Herrera who shot over from an ideal position.

The full time whistle found Birkirkara ending their first phase commitments with 43 points and they will begin the Championship Pool commitments just one point behind joint leaders Valletta and Hibernians. The Stripes will begin the third round against Sliema Wanderers. Venue, date and time are still to be announced.

BIRKIRKARA: Justin Haber, Zach Muscat, Nikola Vukanac, Alejandro Mendoza, Gareth Sciberras, Ryan Scicluna, Edward Herrera, Ryan Camenzuli (90' Roderick Taliana), Jhonnattann Da Concecao (68' Joselito Dos Reis), Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (84' Kurt Zammit)

HAMRUN: Andrea Cassar, Roderick Fenech, Emiliano Lattes, Adrian Borg, Daniel Zerafa (78' Luke Grech), Loic Kandja, Terence Vella (86' Ryan Spiteri), Bledjon Gaga, Giacomo Favero, Massimo Grima, Glenn Azzopardi.

Scorers: 10' Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, 43' Edward Herrera, 78' Ryan Camenzuli.

Yellow Cards: Ryan Scicluna (Birkirkara)

Man of the match: Ryan Camenzuli (Birkirkara)

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