Stripes open league campaign with a win

by Ayrton Galea - 19th August 2013

Maltese Champions Birkirkara kicked-off their 2013-2014 BOV Premier League title defence on a positive note as they defeated Rabat Ajax with a 2-1 score.

The former Valletta forward Frank Temile proved to be the protagonist of the match as the Nigerian striker could not have a better start. He netted a brace while being named as the Man of the Match, to hand the Stripes the ideal start to their title defence.

In the opening match of the new Premier League campaign, one might have thought that the flood gates would open after Birkirkara scored an early goal. However, Rabat's resilience not only denied the Stripes from scoring a multitude of goals, but it also earned them a equaliser, before the Champions scored the winning goal just minutes before the half-time break.

Mr. Paul Zammit opted for the 4-3-3 formation for the first match with Shola Shodiya, Demba Toure and Frank Temile composing the forward line. A forward line which many are considering to be the Stripes' strong point for this season, mainly due to its speed and technique.

The First Half

Right from the first whistle, Birkirkara's wasted no time in putting the pressure on their opponents.

With the Stripes enjoying an edge over their opponents, as the rapid movement of their forwards was quickly becoming a torment for the Magpies' rear-guard, it was little or no surprise that the Champions surged ahead just before the seventh minute mark.

Demba Toure made some quick foot-work down on the left wing before sending a perfect cross in the direction of Frank Temile, whose tap-in from inside the box hit past goalkeeper Velimirovic.

With one goal already in the bag, the Champions kept pushing forward.

On the thirteenth minute, Demba Toure served Frank Temile who rounded a defender before serving Gareth Sciberras who saw his powerful shot from outside the box ending over.

Five minutes later, Frank Temile made a fine solo action before serving Demba Toure, but his pass was too long and Velimirovic anticipated in time.

Midway through the first half, Shola Shodiya fired a fierce shot from outside the box but his powerful strike drifted over the bar.

One would have thought that Rabat would give in to Birkirkara's continuous pressure, but the match had a twist on the half-hour. Against the run of the play, Rabat managed to score the equalising goal in their first scoring opportunity.

Spaniard midfielder Daniel Pelaez set up a teasing cross. which saw the veteran and versatile player Malcolm Licari, rising high to direct a powerful header to hit past Haber despite the deflection of the National goalkeeper.

The unexpected equaliser seemed to unsettle the Stripes, but not for too long as they once again took total control of the match and were now desperate to regain the lead.

However, having earned a morale boost by the equalising goal, Rabat were playing better football as they were closing the gaps in a better way, which denied the Stripes from being dangerous.

Four minutes from half-time, Frank Temile produced a fine solo action once again. He went past two players before sending a precise cross which saw Demba Toure rise high for a powerful header which scratched the crossbar.

When everyone was expecting referee Paul Caruana's half-time whistle, the Stripes regained the lead. Following a fine cross from inside the box by Edward Herrera, Frank Temile produced a wonderful scissor kick which left Velimirovic staring to give the Stripes the lead.

With no time to produce any scoring opportunity, the first half ended with the Stripes enjoying a narrow 2-1 lead.

The Second Half

In the early minutes of the second half, the Stripes took the control of the match once again. However, as in the first half, Rabat did not throw in the towel, as they were trying their utmost to limit the Stripes' forward line. Actions in the first minutes of the second half were scarce.

With the Stripes enjoying an edge over their opponents, but not able to find their way through, the rhythm of the match reduced drastically with the spectators not having much to enjoy.

Not having been outclassed in the first hour of the match, Rabat's Head Coach Mr. Steve D'Amato made his first substitution on the 64th minute when he included offensive player Jonathan Bajada to replace Justin Felice.

With the Stripes Coach, Mr. Zammit failing to see his team perform as wished, he also made his first change, and he included striker Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza instead of Rowen Muscat.

Twenty minutes from time, Ryan Camenzuli produced the first notable action of the second half by a direct free-kick which however was saved without difficulty by Velimirovic.

Three minutes later, Edward Herrera and Frank Temile combined well, following a short corner. Temile served Herrera who saw his cross-shot ending over.

On the 80th minute, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza had a powerful shot from distance but goalkeeeper Velimirovic saved well.

The Stripes made their second substitution on the 83rd minute as Mr. Paul Zammit withdrew Demba Toure and he was replaced with Ryan Scicluna.

Three minutes from time, the Stripes almost sealed the issue with the third goal but Shola Shodiya's powerful long distance shot was denied by the woodwork.

On the 90th minute mark, Birkirkara made their third and final substitution as Mr. Paul Zammit included Kurt Zammit who replaced Shola Shodiya.

Just before the full-time whistle, the Stripes hit the post for the second time in just three minutes. Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza was denied by lack of luck as his curling drive came off the bar.

The full time whistle found the Maltese Champions kicking off their league campaign on a positive note as they clinched their first three points of the season.

BIRKIRKARA: Justin Haber, Alejandro Mendoza, Zach Muscat, Ryan Camenzuli, Frank Temile, Paul Fenech, Gareth Sciberras, Rowen Muscat (68' Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza), Shola Shodiya (90' Kurt Zammit), Edward Herrera, Demba Toure (83' Ryan Scicluna).

RABAT: Pavle Velimirovic, Ivan Carapic, Joseph Caruana, Shaun Gauci, Justin Felice, Clifford Gauci, Malcolm Licari, Dylan Falzon, Daniel Pelaez, David Azzopardi.

Yellow Cards: 41' Clifford Gauci (Rabat), 60' Edward Herrera.

Scorers: 6' Frank Temile, 45' Frank Temile (Birkirkara), 30' Malcolm Licari.

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