Stripes lose to Sliema in opening match of Euro Cup

by Ayrton Galea - 18th June 2013

Champions Birkirkara began their Euro Cup friendly tournament commitments with a 3-1 defeat to Sliema Wanderers as a first half goal was cancelled by a fine comeback by the Wanderers who registered their first win in the competition.

In the opening match of the season, both coaches were keener to assess their youngsters and foreign players on trial rather than to open the season with a victory as both sides had experimental formations which featured several youngsters and promising players.

With both set of squads returning to training last week, one could say that the match reached an acceptable level as both sides created several scoring opportunities which made the match entertaining to watch.

After Malta's senior team and the Under 21's team were involved in competitive matches last week, most of the Birkirkara players who form part of the National Teams were allowed to rest and were not called for this match.

Justin Haber, Edward Herrera, Paul Fenech, Rowen Muscat, Gareth Sciberras, Zach Muscat Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza and Joseph Zerafa were all missing for the Stripes.

With all these players missing, Peter Pullicino made a total-shuffle from the usual starting selection as the Stripes' Assistant Coach utilised several youngsters, besides three foreigners who are on trial with our Club.

The foreigners currently on trial with our Club are Sekhana Koko, Gueye Pape and Kevin Bondundi.

The First Half

The opening stages of the match saw both teams settling down quickly with Sliema enjoying a slight edge in the first minutes, but not for long as the Stripes quickly began to exchange play with the Wanderers.

In the first action of the match, Sliema Wanderers threatened for the opening goal. On the seventh minute, Stanley Ohawuchi rounded a defender and his diagonal shot from a diagonal angle scratched past the post.

Four minutes later, the Wanderers created another fine opportunity. Clifford Gatt Baldacchinho served Trevor Cilia who rounded a defender but his shot ended totally wide.

On the 11th minute, Birkirkara seemed to take the lead in their first scoring opportunity. A powerful freekick by Ryan Camenzuli from the right surprised the goalkeeper, with the ball being cleared off the goal-line.

Four minutes later, the Stripes created another dangerous opportunity. A cross by Ryan Camenzuli, towards the unmarked Shola Shodiya who had a powerful header tipped into a corner kick by goalkeeper Glenn Zammit.

The speed of Sekhana Koko was a continuous torment for the Wanderers, and he surely caught the eye of many at the opening stages.

The Wanderers created the best opportunity on the 28 minutes when Trevor Cilia's fierce shot was blocked by goalkeeper Gauci, and off the rebound from an ideal position, Ohawuchi fired over.

Birkirkara surged ahead seven minutes from the end of the first half. On the 38th minute, Ryan Camenzuli served Gueye Pape whose low shot from close-range beat goalkeeper Zammit.

A minute from the end of the first half, Sekhana Koko had a low shot from outside the box saved by goalkeeper Zammit.

The first half saw the Champions ending the first forty-five minutes with a narrow 1-0 advantage.

The Second Half

In the second half, the Birkirkara coach decided to try out more promising youngsters in his team and he made three changes during the half-time interval. Ryan Scicluna, Ryan Camenzuli and Fabian Zammit were replaced with Under 19 players Roderick Taliana, Antoine Borg and McAllisther Clinch.

The lack of experience by the youngsters, and the fact the Sliema Wanderers were playing almost with their best possible squad resulted in the latter taking total control of the match. The Stripes were pushed to their own half pitch, defending the continuous Wanderers' attacks.

With the Wanderers attack ceaselessly, the Stripes' youngsters showed great resilience to keep their narrow lead, as they were trying to close every gap possible.

Seventeen minutes in the second half, the Wanderers went close to grabbing the equalising goal when a powerful shot from inside the box was deflected into a corner kick.

On the 63rd minute, Birkirkara made their fourth substitution when Kurt Zammit replaced Sekhana Koko.

Having dominated most of the second half, it was not a surprise that Sliema equalised on the 65tg minutes. Substitute Ariel Laudisi's wonderful strike from outside the box gave no chance to Reuben Gauci to earn the Wanderers a deserved draw.

Birkirkara had no time to make any sort of reaction as just three minutes later, the Wanderers completed the comeback to take the lead for the first time in the match. Off a perfect cross from the left, Mark Scerri raised high to beat Gauci with a close-range header.

More youngsters continued to be introduced by Birkirkara as on the 70th minute, Gueye Pape, the scorer of Birkirkara's only goal was substituted by nursery product, Luke Montebello.

Sliema made them three on the 75th minute when one of the most dangerous players on the day, Stanley Ohawuchi intelligently served Ariel Laudisi whose cute lob gave Gauci no chance, to seal the issue.

Birkirkara made another two changes on the 80th minute as goalkeeper Jonathan Martinelli replaced Reuben Gauci and Brandon Attard replaced Shola Shodiya.

Goalkeeper Martinelli was in a brilliant form as the youngster made two fine saves to deny the Wanderers from increasing their score in the last few minutes.

The referee's full time whistle saw Birkirkara opening their season commitments with a defeat but on the bright side, some of the youngster included certainly caught the eye of those present.

BIRKIRKARA: Reuben Gauci (80' Jonathan Martinelli), Michael Camilleri, Kevin Bondundi (70' Luke Montebello), Alejandro Mendoza, Ryan Camenzuli (45' Antoine Borg), David Spiteri, Fabian Zammit (45' McAllisther Clinch), Ryan Scicluna (45' Roderick Taliana), Sekhana Koko (63' Kurt Zammit), Shola Shodiya (80' Brandon Attard), Gueye Pape.

SLIEMA W: Glenn Zammit, Stefano Bianchardi (46' Miguel Ciantar), Paltemio Barbetti, John Mintoff, Mark Scerri, Dylan Kokavesis (46' Andrea Navarra), Stanley Ohawuchi, Luca Martinelli (60' Ariel Laudisi), Clifford Gatt Baldacchinho (45' Josef Mifsud), Trevor Cilia (60' Beppe Muscat), Matthias Mucchardi (45' Ismael Grech).

Scorers: 38' Gueye Pape(Birkirkara), 65' Ariel Laudisi, 68' Mark Scerri, 75' Ariel Laudisi (Sliema Wanderers)

Yellow Cards: 57' Kevin Bondundi, 59' Michael Camilleri (Birkirkara), 19' Luca Martinelli, 43' Paltemio Barbetti (Sliema Wanderers).

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