Birkirkara lose title in final match

by Ayrton Galea - 28th April 2014

Birkirkara FC were denied from winning their second consecutive title on Saturday afternoon when in the match of the decade, Valletta FC scored once in each half to beat Birkirkara and be the new Champions for 2013-2014.

Birkirkara had come into this clash requiring only a draw to retain the title but they were up against it from the moment Shaun Bajada produced a superb free-kick to propel Valletta ahead inside the opening two minutes.

Forced to live in the shadow of the seemingly unstoppable Birkirkara for much of the season, Valletta had to endure criticism for their perceived lack of teamwork but they soldiered on. Birkirkara had been lauded for their tactical discipline and team spirit but they found more than their match in Valletta who clicked into gear when it mattered most.

The First Half

The game was off to an explosive start. Cutting in from the right, Da Siva Souza was tripped by Paul Fenech outside the box. The distance to Justin Haber's goal was considerable but the next thing the ball was flying into the net as Bajada's free-kick gave Haber no chance.

The early goal stunned Birkirkara but they stirred. Close to the eighth minute, they appealed for a penalty after a coming together between Steve Borg and Fenech but the referee saw nothing wrong.

From the corner, taken by Jhonnattann, the ball soared towards the far post where Zach Muscat directed his header towards goal only for Revishvili to tip the ball over the bar.

Valletta, yesterday watched by a delegation from chief sponsors Insignia, were quick to break on the counter with Denni, capitalising on the acres of space behind Herrera, drifted past Sciberras but the captain blocked his effort.

On another occasion, Da Silva Souza dispossessed the dithering Matheus Bissi but his angled grounder was stopped by Haber.

The game remained electric as Lautier waved away another penalty claim from Birkirkara after Haruna's drive from the edge of the box ricocheted off a defender.

Haber came to Birkirkara's rescue on 25 minutes as he repelled Da Silva Souza's first-timer after the Brazilian had been picked out by Abdelkarim Nafti following another well-crafted City attack.

A shot by Denni was deflected into the grateful hands of Haber but, on 27 minutes, Valletta squandered a gilt-edged chance to double their lead. After retrieving possession in midfield, Nafti exchanged passes with Denni before roaring forward on the left. His flighted cross sailed towards Montebello who headed over with the goal at his mercy.

Birkirkara teetered as Valletta not only pressed and harried but attacked with verve. There was another scare for the outgoing champions when Da Silva Souza's measured cross was met by Montebello but his header was deflected away for a corner.

Reprieved, Birkirkara almost levelled but Jhonnattann's drive was warded off by Borg.

Three minutes past the half-hour, Herrera advanced on the right but his cross was headed away by Luke Dimech. Haruna, first to the clearance, switched the ball to Fenech who had accelerated unimpeded into the box but his shot was off target.

Birkirkara were now sallying forward with renewed vigour. They had a great opportunity to equalise when Fenech floated an excellent pass to Jhonnattann who had ghosted his way into the box but the Brazilian mishot the ball as he attempted an acrobatic volley before the alert Borg cleared the danger.

Valletta's frenetic efforts in the early exchanges caught up with them as the first half drew to a close but they managed to hold on to their lead.

The Second Half

The first chance of the second half fell to Valletta as Dimech's header from Borg's throw-in was easily saved by Haber.

On the hour, Zammit effected his first change, throwing on Temile for defender Bissi. This substitution necessitated some positional changes as Zach Muscat switched to the centre of defence, Zerafa dropped into the back three and Rowen Muscat moved further upfield.

There was a drop in the level of intensity as Birkirkara's efforts to make inroads foundered on the solid City defence and with 19 minutes remaining, Zammit introduced another striker, Ronaille, for Rowen Muscat.

A Temile corner spread panic in the City box as Revishvili dropped the ball before the defenders cleared away for a corner.

Paus responded by throwing on Briffa for Denni.

Revishvili did well to smother away Herrera's cross as the Stripes, now playing with three strikers and Haruna behind, committed more men forward.

A whiff of anticipation swept through the Birkirkara fans when Haruna's through-ball reached Temile but his grounder was tamed by Revishvili. The keeper produced an even better save to block Temile's point-blank effort after Herrera's cross from the right had eluded a sea of Valletta defenders.

Elford-Alliyu might have sealed it for Valletta when he outmuscled Muscat but his chipped effort was warded off by Haber,

The game continued to ebb and flow, Temile hitting wide after pouncing on a half-clearance.
Valletta spurned a glorious chance to kill the game, Nafti blasting over after his initial shot was snuffed out by Temile.

There was to be no reprieve for Birkirkara as in their next attack Valletta struck.

Substitute Elford-Alliyu veered infield before passing to Da Silva Souza who in turn teed up by Briffa who rifled the ball into the net, sparking wild celebrations among the Valletta fans, some of whom invaded the pitch prompting Lautier to blow the final whistle.

BIRKIRKARA:: Justin Haber, Zach Muscat, Nikola Vukanac, Matheus Bissi (59′ Frank Temile), Joseph Zerafa, Paul Fenech, Gareth Sciberras, Rowen Muscat (72′ Ronaille Calheira), Edward Herrera, Shola Shodiya, Jhonnattann Benites.

VALLETTA: Nukri Revishvili, Jonathan Caruana, Steve Borg, Ryan Fenech (87′ Edmond Agius), Luke Montebello (81′ Lateef Elford-Alliyu), Alan da Silva Souza, Shaun Bajada, Denni Rocha dos Santos (75′ Roderick Briffa), Irakli Maisuradze, Abdelkarim Nafti, Luke Dimech.

Referee: Chris Lautier.

Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Roberto Vella.

Additional Assistant Referees: Mario Apap, Trustin Farrugia Cann.

Fourth Official: Paul Apap.

Yellow Cards: Paul Fenech (Birkirkara) Steve Borg, Abdelkarim Nafti, Nukri Revishvili (Valletta).

Scorers: 2′ Shaun Bajada, 90+3′ Roderick Briffa (Valletta).

BOV Player of the Match: Shaun Bajada (Valletta).

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