Stripes in a goal-less draw against Floriana

by Ayrton Galea - 16th March 2015

Birkirkara FC consolidated their second place in the BOV Premier League, when in a balanced encounter, they shared the spoils in a goal-less draw against Floriana FC.

Buoyed by an unbeaten run of thirteen league matches, and three straight wins in their last outings, the Stripes' hopes of re-opening the title race suffered a fatal blow, as the gap with the leaders has now increased to ten points. On a positive note, they moved one point over Valletta as they remain alone in the second place.

It was a balanced game that saw both teams having their scoring chances. Birkirkara were forced to suffer possession inside the first half as the Greens showed brighter ideas, and it was only a string of excellent saves by Haber later in the first-half that kept the score level. However, in the second half, the Stripes pulled up their socks, but still failed to take home the three precious points.

The unavailability of a suspended Paul Fenech, and Edward Herrera who was ill, forced Coach Paul Zammit to make two changes from his last first-eleven selection against Sliema Wanderers. Kurt Zammit was rewarded for his string of excellent performances and he was handed a first-eleven start, along-side with Edmond Agius who replaced the suspended Fenech. In another change, Shola Shodiya recovered in time, and replaced Eliandro Gonzaga.

With Ini Akpan suspended, goalkeeper as Mirza Hamzabegovic was called-up for the first time. Ryan Scicluna recovered from a groin injury and began on the substitutes' bench.

Birkirkara fielded on a 4-1-4-1 formation. Haber defended the posts, Mazzetti and Vukanac formed the central-backs with Zerafa and Zach Muscat as side-backs. Rowen Muscat began as the defensive shield in front of the defence, supported by midfielder Agius. Shodiya and Camenzuli patrolled the wings with Rafael Ledesma supporting striker Kurt Zammit.

The First Half

The Stripes came up with the first scoring opportunity after twelve minutes. Edmond Agius delivered a free-kick inside the box and Mauricio Mazzetti had his header parried by goalkeeper Matthew Calleja Cremona.

Floriana took less than a minute to reply. Matteo Picciolo made his way past the Birkirkara defenders before drifting inside the box and his shot from diagonal position scratched past the far post.

As the match approached its final minutes of the first-half, the Greens' showed the better ideas. Five minutes from half-time, they had an excellent opportunity. Plut raced inside the box before serving Picciolo who in turn was denied by a brilliant save of Haber.

There was another scare for the Stripes before half-time. Steve Pisani's first-post corner kick created havoc inside the box with Conor Borg seeing his close-range strike denied by the post as the first-half ended goal-less.

The Second Half

Four minutes into the second half, Floriana had strong protests for a penalty when Picciolo was allegedly floored inside the box by Edmond Agius, but referee Philip Farrugia showed no interest in the Greens' pleas and waved play on.

Edmond Agius was involved in action on the other side of the pitch, on the fifty-second minute, when his in-swinging free-kick was pushed over the bar by the Floriana goalkeeper Calleja Cremona.

On the hour-mark, the Stripes threatened again. Zach Muscat delivered a cross on the second post that saw the Rowen Muscat taking possession before squaring his pass to Ryan Camenzuli who fired over from inside the box.

Floriana's quick reply saw Samb run into the box from the right but his drive took a deflection and Pisani's follow-on shot was blocked.

Joseph Zerafa, who had to receive medical attention just moments earlier, was replaced by Ryan Scicluna.

Twenty minutes from time, Rafael Ledesma was replaced by Matheus Bissi. Bissi was inserted in front of the defence while Shodiya was advanced to a forward position.

On the seventy-third minute, Calleja blocked the ball off a cross from the right, and the ball fell at the feet of Rowen Muscat who hit a low strike. As the ball was rolling into the net, Scicluna continued home only to be ruled-out for an offside position and wasting a golden chance.

Birkirkara could have concluded better once again on the eighty-second minute. Zach Muscat delivered an excellent ball to the unmarked Kurt Zammit but the latter's first-time strike flew over the bar. This was Zammit's last action as he was replaced by Antoine Borg in Birkirkara's third substitution.

With seconds remaining, Mauricio Mazzetti went close to scoring a dramatic goal but his effort went marginally high, with a fierce strike from outside the box as the referee's full-time whistle found Birkirkara extending their unbeaten league run to fourteen matches.

BIRKIRKARA: Justin Haber, Zach Muscat, Mauricio Mazzetti, Nikola Vukanac, Joseph Zerafa (62' Ryan Scicluna), Edmond Agius, Rowen Muscat, Ryan Camenzuli, Kurt Zammit (83' Antoine Borg), Rafael Ledesma (69' Matheus Bissi), Shola Shodiya.

FLORIANA: Matthew Calleja Cremona, Douglas Moreira, Emerson Vella, Steve Pisani, Clyde Borg, Vito Plut (67' Igor Coronado), Matteo Picciolo, Conor Borg, Emanuel Briffa, Amadou Samb, Mano Micallef.

Referee: Philip Farrugia.

Assistant Referees: Paul Apap, David Castillo.

Fourth Official: Fyodor Zammit.

Yellow Cards: 32' Zach Muscat, 48' Joseph Zerafa, 72' Mauricio Mazzetti, 90' Matheus Bissi (Birkirkara), Dougle Moreira (Floriana).

BOV Player of the Match: Matteo Picciolo (Floriana).

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