Stripes move one point away from glory

by Ayrton Galea - 20th April 2014

Birkirkara FC remained in the driving seat the league as they moved just one point away from securing their second consecutive title, when on Saturday afternoon, they trashed Hibernians with a 4-1 score.

The Stripes have not yet secured the title, but the Birkirkara supporters were in a festive mode on Saturday afternoon. Their beloved players filled them with optimism of winning their fifth title, after giving another five-star performance, that demolished the challenge of Hibernians thanks to three goals in the second half, after Jhonnattann Benites' opener in the first half.

It was yet another clinical performance that brought the best out of Birkirkara's strength and present excellent form. Following a low-key opening, the collective effort shined bright in Birkirkara's display who once again dominated their opponents to add their scoring tally in an impressive fourteen goals in the last three outings while conceded just one in their last five matches.

Thanks to this victory, Birkirkara have now opened a five-point gap, and turned the heat on Valletta who face Balzan on Monday. If the Citizens fail to take maximum points from their next two matches, Birkirkara will be crowned Champions.

The Birkirkara supporters also did an excellent job on the day. Led by the Birkirkara Ultras, they had a magnificent chorography as the players headed out of their tunnels, while chanting loud and proud to encourage their players.

Not risking any slip-ups before what could be the decisive match next Saturday, Birkirkara's Head Coach, Mr. Paul Zammit fielded his strongest formation. The tactical 3-4-1-2 strategy featured just one change, as Joseph Zerafa , who was back from his two-match ban, replaced Ryan Camenzuli on the left wing.

The First Half

It was a low-key encounter in the opening minutes. Matheus Bissi for Birkirkara threatened first on the fifteenth minute, with a typicall furious free-kick that surprised goalkeeper Daniel Balzan, but his effort ended wide.

Hibernians replied five minutes later with Jackson Lima, by a long-distance free-kick that lacked precision, and his effort ended over.

Birkirkara should have taken the lead midway through the first half. Edward Herrera raced on the right wing before sending a threatening cross which was failed to be parried by goalkeeper Balzan, but Shola Shodiya hit high in front of goal.

Hibernians were relieved, but not for long, as Birkirkara continued to press forward and they broke the deadlock on the twenty-seventh minute. It was an identical situation, which started with a dazzling run by Herrera, who charged forward and sent an inviting low cross, and Jhonnattann Benites hit home from close range.

Clayton Failla was struggling to contain Herrera on the wing, however, he managed to produce the only reply for Hibernians, with a long-distance free-kick but his effort ended over.

With Hibernians unable to make any sort of reaction, Birkirkara comfortably maintained their one goal lead till the half-time whistle.

The Second Half

The first half was played with a sporting spirit but this script quickly changed six minutes inside the second half. Obinna Obiefule's late charge on Bissi, who tried to prevent a corner kick, resulted in a confrontation and pushing between Nikola Vukanac and Edison Luis Dos Santos, who were both booked after coming close to blows.

The tempo in the second half increased and Hibernians wasted a golden opportunity to level matters on the fifty-eighth minute. Obinna Obiefule's diagonal pass in the path of Dos Santos saw the Brazilian hitting wide in front of Justin Haber from an ideal position.

Referee Mario Apap showed no interest in Birkirkara's penalty claim on the hour mark when the cross by Paul Fenech seemed to be handled inside the box by Jonathan Pearson. However, it was not long before the Champions doubled the lead, as two minutes later, they scored their second goal.

Benites sent an excellent cross from a free-kick towards the six-yard box, and Zach Muscat hit a thunderous header that hit hard past goalkeeper Balzan, to set off wild celebrations by the Birkirkara supporters as they pulled further ahead of their opponents.

Birkirkara's captain on the day, Paul Fenech, received big applauses twenty minutes from the end when in the first substitution affected by Mr. Paul Zammit, Gareth Sciberras replaced the tireless midfielder.

Things got worse for Hibernians on the seventy-second minutes when they ended playing with a player less. Obinna Obiefule was sent off for hitting Zach Muscat in the face.

The Stripes made the most of the situation by adding their third goal on the seventy-fifth minute. Edward Herrera raced inside the box and hit a superb shot that smashed against the crossbar and hit past goalkeeper Balzan.

Birkirkara were unstoppable and they scored their fourth goal just seven minutes later. Benites, a continuous threat to the Hibernians' rearguard, collected a perfect pass from the midfield, and kept ice-cool to outpace Pearson, dribbled goalkeeper Balzan, and slotted into an empty net.

Hibernians managed to score a consolation goal two minutes from time when Clayton Failla directed a low cross and Jackson Lima hit past goalkeeper Justin Haber.

Referee's Mario Apap full-time whistle found the Birkirkara supporters erupting in joy following another magnificent performance that puts them just one point away from glory.

BIRKIRKARA: Justin Haber, Zach Muscat, Nikola Vukanac, Matheus Bissi, Joseph Zerafa, Rowen Muscat (83' Frank Temile), Paul Fenech (71' Gareth Sciberras), Ryan Scicluna, Shola Shodiya, Edward Herrera (76' Ryan Camenzuli), Jhonnattann Benites.

HIBERNIANS: Daniel Balzan, Timothy Tabone Desira (83' Jurgen Degabriele), Igor Radusinovic, Jonathan Pearson, Jackson di Lima Siqueira, Bjorn Kristensen (68' Andrew Cohen), Zoran Levnaic, Clayton Failla, Obinna Obiefule, Edison Luis dos Santos, Jean Paul Farrugia (68' Johann Bezzina).

Referee: Mario Apap.

Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, Sammy Attard

Fourth Official: Paul Caruana

Yellow Cards: 54' Nikola Vukanac (Birkirkara), 54' Edison Luis Dos Santos (Hibernians).

Red Cards: 72' Obinna Obieule (Hibernians).

Scorers: 27' Jhonnattann Benites, 62' Zach Muscat, 75' Edward Herrera, 82' Jhonnattann Benites (Birkirkara) 88' Jackson Lima (Hibernians).

BOV Player of the Match: Edward Herrera (Birkirkara).

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