Champions denied by late goal

by Ayrton Galea - 26th August 2013

A wonderful volley by Sliema's Matias Muchardi denied the Stripes from their second consecutive victory as in a balanced encounter, Birkirkara and Sliema Wanderers shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

With the Maltese Champions all out to extend their positive start of defending the title while Sliema eager to make a bold statement of their squad's strength, the match turned into an opportunity for both coaches to judge their team's potential.

And one could say that both coaches left the National Stadium satisfied with their lads' performance, as both sides gave an excellent performance in a balanced encounter. Despite being played at a high tempo, the discipline tactics of both sides denied scoring opportunities for most of the game, as both sets of rearguards rarely conceded space.

In fact, one could say that despite the major improvement made by the Stripes in the second half, it was still a fair result, as the Wanderers never threw in the towel and even after conceding the goal, they kept pushing forward until they grabbed the equaliser with both sides registering the first draw of the league.

Both teams had a winning start in their opening match of the new Premier League campaign, as the Stripes defeated Rabat Ajax with a 2-1 score, while the Wanderers outclassed Qormi with a 4-0 score.

The Stripes was forced to make two changes from their first outing of the league, as Edward Herrera was serving a one-match ban while Nigerian striker Frank Temile was not in the best medical condition although he was still called up with the 18-men squad.

With these two key-players missing, Mr. Paul Zammit went out for this match with the 3-5-2 formation.

Brazilian defender Matheus Bissi who was making his debut with our Club, and he formed part of the back-trio along with Alejandro Mendoza and Zach Muscat. Shola Shodiya and Demba Toure composed the attacking the department. Ryan Scicluna filled the absence of Edward Herrera on the right wing while Joseph Zerafa replaced Ryan Camenzuli on the left one.

The First Half

With both sides eager to make their point, even if the league is still in an early stage, the match began on a high tempo and it was the Wanderers who managed to settle down first as they enjoyed an edge over the Champions in the opening moments.

Just two minutes in the match, the Wanderers had their first scoring opportunity. Alex Muscat served Stanley Ohawuchi whose first-timer attempt was neutralised by Justin Haber.

Tempers started to fray just past the tenth minute mark when Papa Gueye, who was on trial with the Stripes in the Euro Cup matches, committed a harsh foul on Zach Muscat, but referee Fyodor Zammit decided to keep the cards in his pocket.

Despite goal-scoring opportunities being lacking, Sliema kept playing better football as their discipline tactic seemed to be the key to have an edge over the Stripes, who had not yet settled down.

With the Wanderers pushing forward, it was Justin Haber who had to prove himself as the protagonist on the 23rd minute when he had to rush out of his place to make an excellent tackle to deny Papa Gueye and Sliema Wanderers from their fast break-away.

The excellent tackle by National goalkeeper Haber seemed to be the turning point of the match for the Stripes as they completely settled down and it was their turn to have an edge over their opponents.

In fact, on the 27th minute, the Maltese Champions created their first scoring opportunity as Shola Shodiya drifted on the right wing before setting up an excellent low cross, but Demba Toure failed to hit.

Four minutes later, the Stripes were on the attack once again. Nigerian Shola Shodiya combined well with Paul Fenech who served back the Nigerian, to produce a fierce shot which was saved well by the Wanderers' goalkeeper, Henry Bonello.

Birkirkara kept pushing forward and they were keeping the Wanderers in their own half. On the 38th minute, Gareth Sciberras served Demba Toure on the right, but his diagonal shot did not worry Bonello as it ended wide of his left post.

The Stripes were almost awarded for their efforts as it was only goalkeeper Bonello who denied them from taking the lead just one minute from half-time. Paul Fenech sent a perfect cross and Demba Toure rose high to hit a powerful header, but Bonello made an excellent save before the Wanderers' rear-guard cleared into safety.

Referee's Fyodor Zammit whistle brought to an end the first-half, which despite being played at a high-tempo, it only produced rare scoring opportunities and the half-time result was still goal-less.

The Second Half

The high-tempo played at the end of the first half was not extended in the opening stages of the second forty-five minutes, as both teams were now more cautious not to leave any space in their back-line.

However, the Stripes, who seemed to go out for the second half on a more aggressive note than the first one, quickly regained their edge over their opponents as they created their first scoring opportunity six minutes in the second half. Paul Fenech tried his luck by firing a fierce long-distance shot which ended over.

Three minutes later, Wanderers' goalkeeper Henry Bonello had to be decisive once again as his excellent save denied the Stripes from surging ahead. Following an excellent cross, Demba Toure rose high once again to hit a skilful header, only to find Bonello alert once again to produce yet another great save.

The Stripes kept the Wanderers under pressure and in their own half and on the 57th minute, Paul Fenech tried his luck with another powerful long-distance drive which sailed over the bar.

Twenty minutes from time, the Maltese Champions were awarded for their major improvement in the second half as they surged ahead. Following a fast break-away, Shola Shodiya made an excellent job to cut through Sliema's defence, before his precise cross saw Demba Toure's header hitting past Bonello to put the Stripes in the lead.

However, Sliema did not surrender. Their determination not to leave the National Stadium with empty hands earned them the equalizer on the 80th minute. A free-kick by Paltemio Barbetti was short-cleared by the Birkirkara defence, with the ball falling in the feet of Matias Muchardi whose excellent first-timer volley hit hard past Haber.

Birkirkara tried to react in their bid to regain the lead but it was the Wanderers who went the closest on the 90th minute mark, when a powerful free-kick by Matias Muchardi scratched past the post.

Referee's Fyodor Zammit full-time whistle found both teams leaving the National Stadium with a point each, which was a just reward for their efforts.

BIRKIRKARA: Justin Haber, Zach Muscat, Alejandro Mendoza, Matheus Bissi, Zach Muscat, Ryan Scicluna (88' Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza), Paul Fenech, Gareth Sciberras, Rowen Muscat (90' Ryan Camenzuli), Joseph Zerafa, Shola Shodiya (79' Terence Vella), Demba Toure.

SLIEMA W: Henry Bonello, Alex Muscat, John Mintoff (78' Trevor Cilia), Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Jacob Borg, Paltemio Barbetti, Mark Scerri, Stanley Ohawuchi, Pape Gueye (67' Abubaker Bello Osagie), Matias Muchardi.

Referee: Fyodor Zammit

Yellow Cards: Zach Muscat, Matheus Bissi, Alejandro Mendoza, Joseph Zerafa, Gareth Sciberras (Birkirkara), Papa Gueye, Mark Scerri (Sliema Wanderers)

Scorers: 70' Demba Toure (Birkirkara), 80' Matias Muchardi (Sliema Wanderers)

BOV Man of the match: Matias Muchardi (Sliema Wanderers)

comments powered by Disqus