Birkirkara win the Super Cup for the 6th time

by Ayrton Galea - 9th August 2013

Maltese Champions Birkirkara FC launched their domestic season with a flying start as yesterday evening they defeated Hibernians with a 3-2 score to clinch the Super Cup for the sixth time in their history.

Having played a prominent role in the challenge for main honours last season, Champions Birkirkara and U*BET FA Trophy winners Hibernians were eager to start their domestic campaign in style as they contested the BOV Super Cup which attracted a sizeable crowd to the National Stadium.

Birkirkara's excellent period just before half-time earned them a three goal cushion which saw them clinch the first honour of the season. However, Hibernians produced a two-goal come-back in the second half, but this was not enough to make up for their erratic display in the first half as the Stripes stood strong.

It was a deserved win for the Champions as they played better football and created brighter ideas which confirmed the potential shown over in the UEFA Champions League matches against NK Maribor.

Although the Stripes had the last laugh of the day, after a rather one-sided forty-five minutes, one would not have expected that in the final stages of the match the Stripes would be under pressure as they were required to fight-hard for their narrow lead.

After the Stripes lost the services of Nikola Vukanac, Mr. Paul Zammit reshuffled his formation as he opted for the 4-3-3 formation for this match, with Demba Toure, Frank Temile and Shola Shodiya composing the attacking department.

With Joseph Zerafa and Ryan Scicluna injured, the Stripes' coach still opted to include these two players in his 18-men squad. Goalkeeper Ini Akpan was also included as a reserve, which meant that the Stripes also had two goalkeepers in their 18-men squad. This decision reflects the unity in the Birkirkara squad as Mr. Zammit opted to go this final with all his 18 senior registered players.

The First Half

The early stages of the match clearly showed that the match would be played on a high-tempo level, as both sides quickly surged forward.

The Stripes opened the match on a more aggressive note, and just after four minutes, they had a penalty claim turned down by referee Andre Arciola after Demba Toure seemed to be floored down inside the box.

Moments later, the Stripes went close. A first post corner kick by Ryan Camenzuli in direction of Frank Temile saw the Nigerian striker rising high to head a powerful header but his effort scratched past the post.

Hibernians created their first scoring opportunity on the fifteen minutes as Jackson Lima tried one of his typical shots from long distance which was well-parried by goalkeeper Justin Haber.

Jackson Lima was in action once again moments later with yet another long-distance shot but this time his shot ended over.

Hibernians remained on the attack as they had a dangerous free-kick taken by Clayton Failla but his central effort was easily saved by goalkeeper Justin Haber.

Despite lack of dangerous scoring opportunities, it was the Stripes that surged forward on the half-hour mark.

Edward Herrera inflicted the damage on the Paolites defence as his strong fast run on the wing penetrated the rear-guard, and his precise cross was met with a powerful tap-in by Demba Toure, which hit hard past Mario Muscat to put the Stripes in the lead.

Filled with confidence and morale sky-high after this opener, the Stripes quickly added more woes to Hibernians as they doubled the score just five minutes later.

A free-kick by Paul Fenech failed to be cleared by the Hibernians' rear-guard, only for Frank Temile to unleash a powerful shot from inside the six-yard box to give Muscat no chance.

Birkirkara's superb period continued as seven minutes from half-time, the Stripes made them three. An excellent corner on the second-post saw Zach Muscat producing a dazzling run from the edge of the box to powerfully head the ball past Mario Muscat.

The Stripes remained on the attack and in the last scoring opportunity of the first half, three almost became four. A perfect switch of play by Ryan Camenzuli, who sent a precise cross in direction of Demba Toure, who in turn gave a superb volley from the edge of the box. Mario Muscat produced a brilliant save to deny Demba from his second personal goal.

The first-half whistle saw the Stripes being deservedly applauded, while it brought a sense of relieve for Hibernians.

The Second Half

Have seen his team being outgunned in the first half, Hibernians FC's Head Coach, Mr. Branko Nisevic made two substitutions as he included Matthew Tabone and Under 21 National striker Jean Paul Farrugia who replaced Rodolfo Soares and Obinna Obiefule.

Hibernians earned a lifeline as they were awarded a highly controversial penalty. Alejandro Mendoza seemed to clear the ball off Andrew Cohen's feet before the latter fell on the floor. However, Referee Andre Arciola had a different opinion as he whistled and pointed to the spot and he ordered the penalty kick. From the eleven metres, Clayton Failla made no mistake, and and regained some hope for the Paolites.

This proved to be the turning point of the match, as Hibernians regained confidence and began to play better football.

However, it was the Stripes who went close to regain the three-goal advantage as Frank Temile anticipated a defender but his low powerful strike was blocked with difficulty by goalkeeper Muscat.

With a two-goal advantage, Mr. Paul Zammit made two substitutions on the 67 minutes and on the 73 minutes respectively. In the first substitution, Demba Toure was replaced with Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza with the Senegalese striker being applauded for his performance and goal. In the second change, Shola Shodiya was replaced by Jonathan Maciel as Mr. Zammit strengthened his rear-guard.

However, Hibernians still found the way through to reduce the gap and to reinstall hope as thirteen minutes from time, they scored their second goal. Edison Luis Dos Santos served Andrew Cohen whose precise diagonal shot beat Justin Haber to put Hibernians back in the match.

For the final minutes, Hibernians put everything forward as they piled the pressure on Birkirkara's rear-guard but the Stripes kept their nerve and the score did not change.

Referee's Andre Arciola full-time whistle found the Stripes launching their domestic season in style. Gareth Sciberras was presented with the deserved cup by the MFA's President, Mr. Norman Darmanin Demajo.

BIRKIRKARA: Justin Haber, Ryan Camenzuli, Alejandro Mendoza, Zach Muscat, Edward Herrera, Gareth Sciberras, Paul Fenech, Rowen Muscat, Frank Temile, Shola Shodiya (73' Jonathan Maciel), Demba Toure (67' Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza).

HIBERNIANS: Mario Muscat, Neil Chetcuti, Jonathan Pearson, Rodolfo Soares (45' Matthew Tabone), Marcelo Dias, Bjorn Kristensen, Jackson Lima, Clayton Failla, Andrew Cohen, Obinna Obiefule (45' Jean Paul Farrugia), Edison Luis Dos Santos.

Yellow Cards: Alejandro Mendoza, Gareth Sciberras, Zach Muscat (Birkirkara), Clayton Failla, Mario Muscat, Marcelo Dias, Jonathan Pearson (Hibernians).

Scorers: 30' Demba Toure, 35' Frank Temile, 38' Zach Muscat (Birkirkara), 50' Clayton Failla, 77' Andrew Cohen (Hibernians).

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