Superior Birkirkara trash Wanderers

by Ayrton Galea - 14th April 2014

Champions Birkirkara FC delivered a loud and clear message of their title aspirations on Sunday evening, as a superior Birkirkara trashed Sliema Wanderers with an impressive 6-0 score, to regain the top spot of the BOV Premier League

Valletta's 5-0 victory over Mosta might have put the Stripes under pressure. The Citizens took 77 minutes to score five goals, but Birkirkara roared louder as they hit five past Sliema after just forty minutes, in an outstanding performance to crush the Wanderers.

It was an impressive one-sided first half, as the game was over as a contest in the opening fourteen minutes, as the Stripes opened an impressive three-goal lead.

Shola Shodiya's well-taken opener inside the first five minutes set the tone for the Stripes, who gave another empathic display of attacking. The Nigerian completed his hat-trick in Birkirkara's five-star display, with Benites, Ryan Camenzuli and Matheus Bissi all adding to the Wanderers' woes for the final 6-0 score.

With two points separating Birkirkara and Valletta, and only two games left, the likelihood that their final-day showdown will decide the title issue has certainly increased after this weekend's results.

Mr. Paul Zammit lined-up a 3-5-2 formation, without having all players at his disposal. Alejandro Mendoza and Gareth Sciberras were not in the best condition, and were benched. Daniel Zerafa and Ronaille Calheira were both unavailable nursing injuries, while Joseph Zerafa was serving his second match suspension.

Matheus Bissi took Mendoza's place in defence, while Rowen Muscat replaced Gareth Sciberras in midfield. The forward line featured the tried and trusted due of Shodiya and Benites, with Ryan Scicluna roaming behind them.

Before kick-off, the two sets of players held up placards bearing the message ‘Give racism the red card' as part of an anti-racism awareness campaign organised by the Malta Football Players Association.

The First Half

The Stripes were quick to break the deadlock within the first five minutes. Jhonnattann Benites' free-kick was not controlled by the Wanderers' rearguard and Shola Shodiya hit home powerfully.

Hardly four minutes passed, and the Stripes made them two. The Stripes made a devastating counter-attack with Shodiya racing forward and unzipping the Wanderers' defence. He sent an excellent through-ball in the path of Benites, who beat goalkeeper Glenn Zammit with a fine finish.

Sliema's desperate reaction saw Mathias Muchardi sending an intelligent pass to Trevor Cilia, but Justin Haber rushed out and neutralised the effort.

However, The Stripes were being overwhelming in the attack and they added their third goal on the fourteenth minute. Ryan Scicluna served Shola Shodiya, and the Nigerian's first-time low shot, left Glenn Zammit staring as the ball rolled towards the right low corner.

There was a selection of excellent goals but the fourth goal on the twenty-fifth minute certainly beats them all. Jhonnattann's corner-kick was deflected by Shodiya, and as the ball rolled towards Ryan Camenzuli, the youngster hit a thunderous volley that gave Zammit no chance.

Sliema's woes increased five minutes from half-time, when they suffered the fifth goal. The gap between the Wanderers' midfield and defence was exploited again, when Scicluna supplied an excellent through-ball to an onrushing Shodiya, who had a routine task of slotting home from close-range, to complete his hat-trick.

The brilliant first-half for Birkirkara was ended with the referee's half-time whistle, and they went to their dressing room with a stunning lead of 5-0.

The Second Half

At the start of the second half, Mr. Paul Zammit replaced Paul Fenech with Kurt Zammit, in Birkirkara's first substitution.

Sliema were unable to muster the energy and willpower to stage a reaction but on the hour mark, they had a golden chance to score a consolation goal. They were awarded a penalty after Nikola Vukanac was judged to have pushed Ohawuchi in the box. The Nigerian strode towards the spot but, to add to his and Sliema's misery, his central strike was pawed away by Haber.

Antoine Borg was included as Birkirkara's second substitute just past the hour mark and he replaced Edward Herrera.

Birkirkara continued to increase the Wanderers' woes by adding their sixth goal twenty minutes from the end. Jhonnattann Benites' delivery from the corner kick was excellent for Matheus Bissi to hit a rocket header at the back of the net.

Benites' received a deserved standing ovation by the Birkirkara supporters when the Brazilian forward was replaced by Frank Temile on the seventy-second minute.

Six goals up and the Birkirkara supporters in a festive mode, they almost added their seventh goal, on two occasions. First, Kurt Zammit miscued his attempt from Camenzuli's cross and then Temile's fierce strike was denied by Zammit.

Chants of ‘Campioni, Campioni' echoed around the National Stadium as the Birkirkara's loyal supporters left the stadium brimming with enthusiasm of achieving their dream of securing back to back titles, a dream which is just four points and two matches away.

BIRKIRKARA: Justin Haber, Zach Muscat, Nikola Vukanac, Matheus Bissi, Ryan Camenzuli, Rowen Muscat, Paul Fenech (46′ Kurt Zammit), Ryan Scicluna, Edward Herrera (61′ Antoine Borg), Shola Shodiya, Jhonnattann Benites (69′ Frank Temile).

SLIEMA: Glenn Zammit, Alex Muscat, Jacob Borg, Kane Farrugia (43′ Gabriel Aquilina), John Mintoff, Mark Scerri, Stanley Ohawuchi, Alex Podda (58′ Ivan Woods), Trevor Cilia (75′ Axl Xuereb), Mathias Muchardi, Stefano Bianciardi.

Referee: Paul Caruana.

Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Edward Spiteri.

Additional Assistant Referees: Marco Borg, Alan Mario Sant.

Fourth Official: Malcolm Spiteri.

Yellow Cards: Jhonnattann Benites (Birkirkara), Stanley Ohawuchi, Axl Xuereb (Sliema)

Scorers: 5′ Shola Shodiya, 9′ Jhonnattann Benites, 14′ Shola Shodiya, 25′ Ryan Camenzuli, 40′ Shola Shodiya, 69′ Matheus Bissi.

BOV Player of the Match: Shola Shodiya.

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