Birkirkara FC win the FA Trophy for the fifth time
by Ayrton Galea - 24th May 2015
Birkirkara FC clinched the fifth FA Trophy in their history when they ended their season in style by beating Hibernians in the final thanks to a goal in each half by Mauricio Mazzetti and Rafael Ledesma.
The Stripes gave their best when it really mattered. Having passed through an inconsistent league campaign, Birkirkara knew that only winning the FA Trophy would make amends, and make the season a successful one. Birkirkara's reaction could not have been better. Hibernians, the league champions who were unstoppable in the league campaign, were outclassed by the resilient Birkirkara who never gave the opportunity to their opponents to find their usual rhythm.
Backed by the numerous supporters who packed the Enclosure side and a considerable number of supporters in the Millenium Stand, the Stripes created the best scoring opportunities and the result reflects their superiority.
The Birkirkara Ultras also proved that they are the best when it comes to support with a wonderful choreography consisting of red and yellow, while they supported their beloved players throughout the whole match before they were presented with the FA Tropy.
Coach Paul Zammit fielded a 4-1-4-1 formation and made just one change from the Semi-Final against Valletta as Paul Fenech replaced Matheus Bissi.
The First Half
Tension at the National Stadium was high and after just three minutes, Referee Andre Arciola had to interfere following a bout of pushing between Mauricio Mazzetti and Marcelo Dias after a foul on Jorginho. After the tension abated, Arciola only verbally cautioned both players.
With Birkirkara starting stronger, Hibernians could consider themselves lucky to survive an early scare after six minutes. Rafael Ledesma's cross on the second post found Camenzuli heading the ball in the centre of the box. Bonello, pressed by Scicluna, deflected the ball and Hibs' defenders cleared into safety.
Hibernians replied quickly. Jorginho went swiftly past two players, before Joseph Zerafa slid to clear the ball into a corner kick. From the kick, Justin Haber rushed out to deny the Hibernians striker.
Mid-way the first half, the skills of Ledesma earned him an applause and grabbed all the attention as his deft turn and flick released the on-running Herrera on the right, but the latter's cross failed to be met by any of his team-mates.
There was another good chance for the Stripes when Ledesma sent Herrera down the right channel, when he once again found space behind Failla, but as the the winger approached inside the box, he stumbled on the ball allowing Clayton Failla to clear into safety.
Having shown the better ideas in the last minutes, the Stripes were awarded just before the half-hour mark when they surged ahead. Ledesma delivered a perfect left-wing free-kick with the ball rolling past a host of players before reaching an unmarked Mazzetti, who controlled and smashed home with a wonderful bicycle kick. Birkirkara's faithful erupted in joy.
Just before the half-time whistle, Jorginho sprinted forward to reach an inviting through-ball, only to see Mazzetti performing an excellent tackle to deny the Hibernians forward.
The Birkirkara players received a standing ovation as they headed to their dressing room leading by one at the break.
The Second Half
The Stripes remained the better side after the half-time break and they threatened first. Seven minutes into the second half, Rafael Ledesma's curled effort from a free-kick effort, went over the Hibernians wall, but ended over.
Jorginho was roaming in midfield, as Hibernians struggled to transfer the ball forward. The Brazilian switched possession to Cohen but his pass towards Dias was blocked by an alert Zerafa, as Hibernians frustration was evident.
Hibernians continued to add further pressure and they were awarded a free-kick from an ideal position for for the likes and Cohen and Failla. Failla took charge, but his effort was too weak and easily saved by the Birkirkara goalkeeper, Justin Haber.
Coach Paul Zammit introduced a fresh pair of legs on the sixty-fourth minute, when Ellinton Morais replaced Ryan Camenzuli. The inclusion of Morais had no tactical changes as the Brazilian was included on the left side.
The Stripes' afternoon got better when they made them two with twenty-one minutes to go. Joseph Zerafa's cross failed to be cleared, the ball transferred to the second post and Rafael Ledesma fired home from close-range. The Birkirkara supporters were now in a festive mode as they knew they were close to clinching the fifth FA Trophy.
Hibernians almost conceded another goal just a minute later when Herrera served Paul Fenech, who from inside the box saw his low strike being denied by the up-right, with goalkeeper Bonello beaten.
Hibernians could have pulled one back twelve minutes from time, when Cohen's free-kick found Soares unmarked but his header ended wide.
The Stripes held strong till the final whistle, to defeat Hibernians. At the end, the Birkirkara supporters let out a loud and proud roar when Club's captain Paul Fenech lifted the fifth FA Trophy in the Club's history, before the Birkirkara clan headed to Valley Road for the celebrations.
BIRKIRKARA: Justin Haber, Zach Muscat, Nikola Vukanac, Mauricio Mazzetti, Joseph Zerafa, Paul Fenech, Rafael Ledesma (90′ Gareth Sciberras), Edward Herrera, Rowen Muscat, Ryan Camenzuli (64′ Ellinton Morais), Ryan Scicluna (73′ Matheus Bissi).
HIBERNIANS: Henry Bonello, Jackson Lima, Rui da Gracia Gomes (73′ Marko Rajic), Rodolfo Soares, Marcelo Dias (83′ Joseph Mbong), Andrew Cohen, Bjorn Kristensen, Johann Bezzina, Andrei Agius, Clayton Failla, Jorge da Silva Pereira.
Referee: Andre Arciola.
Assistant Referees: Mitchell Scerri, Paul Apap
Additional Assistant Referees: Marco Borg, Mario Apap
Fourth Official: Philip Farrugia
Yellow Cards: 14' Nikola Vukanac, 63' Mauricio Mazzetti, 84' Rowen Muscat (Birkirkara) 14' Clayton Failla, 56' Andrew Cohen.
Scorers: 29′ Mauricio Mazzetti, 69′ Rafael Ledesma.
comments powered by Disqus
