Fiery Stripes tame Naxxar Lions
by Ayrton Galea - 20th January 2014
Birkirkara FC confirmed the excellent form they have been enjoying these last weeks, with an emphatic victory over Naxxar Lions, with a score of 7-1.
Birkirkara continued to prove that they are the main contenders for the title, as with the Championship Pool phase looming large, they are playing the best football on the island. On Satruday afternoon, the Champions, with a brilliant performance, gave an acid test to the team aspiring for a top-six position.
Birkirkara's five-star performance apart, their Brazilian forward Jhonnattann Benites stole the limelight by scoring four goals to confirm his striking instincts, which continue to establish him as one of the most prolific scorers on the island.
With this 12th league victory in a row, Birkirkara managed to reach the Premier League record, which Hibernians' set in Season 1981-1982.
Birkirkara's Head Coach, Mr. Paul Zammit fielded a 4-2-3-1 formation and he kept faith in the never-change-a-winning-formula mentality. He was forced to make just one change, as an injured Rowen Muscat was unavailable for selection. Ryan Scicluna was drifted to the first XI.
On the other hand, Naxxar lacked Pablo Doffo due to long term injury, and Victor Belia who was suspended. They were boosted with the signing on of two Serbian midfielders, Filip Stojanovic and Milan Vignevic. Mr. Winston Muscat opted for a defensive formation as he sought to close all the gaps at the back, with Terrence Scerri being the only striker for the Lions.
The First Half
Birkirkara threatened first on the fourth minute. Edward Herrera made one of his surging runs down the right flank, before sending a precise cross on the second post, which saw Shola Shodiya rising high but his header ended over the bar.
Three minutes later, the Stripes sought to break-through once again. Frank Temile advanced outside the penalty area, but his in-swinging shot ended over Julian Azzopardi's bar.
The opening stages saw Birkirkara enjoying swathes of possession. Despite the early minutes' open-scoring chances, the lack of width seemed to be causing problems for Birkirkara, as the Naxxar defenders ganged-up on the forwards.
Despite these desperate defending schemes by Naxxar to reduce the danger, Birkirkara still managed to break the deadlock on the seventeenth minute. Frank Temile sent an excellent cross, defender Thiago Lopes failed to deal with it, and Jhonnattann Benites easily placed the ball past the Naxxar goalkeeper, Julian Azzopardi.
Boosted by the opening goal, Birkirkara were able to adopt their game of short-passes and flowing football. However, they were still finding a hard obstacle to overcome Naxxar's five-men rearguard, that was seeking to keep the Birkirkara forwards at bay.
Midway through the first half, Birkirkara threatened again. Jhonnattann Benites exchanged the ball with Shola Shodiya who returned the favour. The Brazilian player saw his well-timed shot ending over the crossbar.
The Stripes continued to have the best ideas on the pitch, and they doubled the score on the thirty-sixth minute. A short clearance by Naxxar's rearguard ended in the path of Shola Shodiya, who penetrated, and sent a through-ball to Ryan Scicluna. Ryan timed his run and when in front of Azzopardi, he deposited the ball at the back of the net.
The two-goal advantage put Birkirkara in a comfortable position. Their flowing football and fast movement without the ball was now tormenting Naxxar.
Just before the half-time whistle, Shola Shodiya's cross found Jhonnattann Benites who sent the ball in front of Gareth Sciberras, but his shot from outside the box was parried by goalkeeper Azzopardi.
Referee Adrian Azzopardi's half-time whistle found Birkirkara enjoying a comfortable 2-0 lead.
The Second Half
Naxxar went out as the most adventurous team early in the second half, but their momentum was short-lived as nine minutes in the second half, Birkirkara made them three. Edward Herrera delivered a brilliant first-post free-kick, and Alejandro Mendoza rose to bullet a header past Azzopardi.
Restoring their high-tempo football, Birkirkara went on increasing Naxxar's woes on the fifty-eight minute. Shola Shodiya won possession outside the box and his powerful effort ended at the back of the net.
Just two minutes later, four became five and Naxxar's afternoon started to turn into a nightmare. Thiago Lopes gave away possession, due to Frank Temile's pressing. Jhonnattann Benites took advantage by drifting inside the area and then slotted the ball past Azzopardi.
With the Stripes enjoying a comfortable lead and having bagged the three points, Mr. Paul Zammit began to make use of his three available substitutions. On the sixty-seventh minute, Reuben Gauci replaced Justin Haber between the posts.
Birkirkara's total dominance was interrupted on the sixty-eighth minute when Naxxar pulled one back. Angus Buhagiar cross looked to be a routine save by Reuben Gauci, but the latter was unfortunate enough to slip, and Terrence Scceri slotted the ball into the net to narrow the gap.
Naxxar's relief of pulling one back was short-lived, as Birkirkara quickly replied by restoring their five-goal lead, and Jhonnattann Benites completing his hat-trick. Paul Fenech delivered a second-post free-kick, Vukanac passed to Benites, who from inside the box, fired home.
In Birkirkara's second substitution, Frank Temile, who once again had a fine performance, was replaced by Ryan Camenzuli.
Jhonnattann Benites continued to have a superb evening as he scored his fourth goal of the day, and Birkirkara made them seven. Fifteen minutes from time, he had excellent up-rising shot which arched over Azzopardi and ended at the back of the net.
In the last substitution available for Birkirkara, Zach Muscat replaced Nikola Vukanac, on the seventy-sixth minute.
Reuben Gauci made a brilliant save, and denied debutant Milan Vignevic, who came out as a substitute moments earlier, from getting his name on the scoring sheet.
Referee Adrian Azzopardi's final whistle brought to an end what was a superb evening for the Maltese Champions, who once again confirmed that they are the main contenders for the Premier League title, as they extended their impressive winning streak to twelve matches.
BIRKIRKARA: Justin Haber (68' Reuben Gauci), Joseph Zerafa, Alejandro Mendoza, Nikola Vukanac (76' Zach Muscat), Edward Herrera, Ryan Scicluna, Gareth Sciberras, Paul Fenech, Frank Temile (72' Ryan Camenzuli), Shola Shodiya, Jhonnattann Benites.
NAXXAR: Julian Azzopardi, Angus Buhagiar, Ryan Cassar, Gilmar Da Silva Ribeiro, Andrew Decesare, Mattia Del Negro, Thiago Lopes De Souza (76' Milan Vignevic), David Reano, Andre Rocha Da Silva, Terence Scerri (74' Darren Falzon), Filip Stojanovic.
Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.
Assistant Referees: Roberto Vella, Duncan Sultana.
Fourth Official: Marco Borg.
Yellow Cards: 21' Frank Temile, 67' Nikola Vukanac (Birkirkara), 20' Filip Stojanovic (Naxxar).
Scorers: 18' Jhonnattann Benites, 36' Ryan Scicluna, 54' Alejandro Mendoza, 58' Shola Shodiya, 60' Jhonnattann Benites, 74' Jhonnattann Benites, 76' Jhonnattann Benites (Birkirkara), 68' Terrence Scerri (Naxxar Lions).
BOV Man of the Match: Jhonnattann Benites (Birkirkara).
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