Toothless Stripes crushed by City

by Ayrton Galea - 6th December 2015

Birkirkara FC suffered their biggest defeat in this year's BOV Premier League title when yesterday evening, two goals in each half condemned them to a trashing 4-0 defeat to rivals Valletta which brought to an end a ten-match unbeaten streak.

The Stripes left the National Stadium with much work to do as their tooth-less forward line couldn't convert the large swatches of possession that the team enjoyed while the Citizens profited from the gaps in defence during yesterday's match to consolidate their top spot in the league.

By this defeat, things continued to complicate themselves for the Stripes. They have only won two out of their last six outings and yesterday's match was the second one in their last four matches they have failed to score. More problems up-front show that the team's top scorer Vito Plut has now gone six matches without scoring.

Birkirkara's Coach set-out a 3-5-2 formation and made one change from the narrow victory over Tarxien Rainbows. Rowen Muscat started at the heart of the midfield off Emerson Marcelina and the National Team midfielder composed the midfield trio with Sciberras and Sciclina.

The three-line defence was formed by Zach Muscat, Mauricio Mazzetti and Vukanac with Camenzuli and Joseph Zerafa patrolling the wing-backs. The forward line was composed of the foreign duo of Ellinton Morais and Vito Plut.

For the Italian Coach, Fenech, Miccoli and Shodiya remained out of the equation as all failed to recover from different injuries while on the plus side, Juan Quero was back after missing the last match.

The First Half

The Stripes enjoyed more swatches of possession in the early stages but it took them till the sixteenth minute to produce the match's first scoring opportunity. Rowen Muscat picked-up Camenzuli on the left but the latter's curling shot ended wide.

The same player stole the lime-light just moments later when he produced great skill to get through the ball between Umeh's feet and had his dangerous cross pushed into safety by goalkeeper Vella.

Valletta surged ahead in their first scoring opportunity on the twenty-first minute. Umeh sprinted forward on the left side before his low cross saw Federico Falcone sprinting inside the box unmarked and slammed past goalkeeper Haber.

There was a moment of tension at the National Stadium when Vukanac and Caruana exchanged words in one of Birkirkara's set-pieces and Referee Esther Azzopardi showing the yellow card to both defenders.

The Citizens' tactical-plan of waiting for the Stripes and hit on the counter once again was crucial as they made them two on the thirty-fourth minute. A cross by Falcone saw the header of Pani punched away by Haber only for the ball to land at Briffa's feet and hit a wonderful shot past the Birkirkara goalkeeper.

Birkorkara were stunned. They certainly enjoyed more possession but they lacked punch up-front as Vella had not received any shot on target after the first thirty-five minutes. Morais delivered a good cross on the thirty-seventh minute but Vukanac's header ended wide.

Two goals down, Mr. Tedesco made the first substitution on the thirty-ninth minute as Camenzuli was replaced by Quero. The inclusion of Quero saw no tactical changes as he was inserted on the right flank.

Referee Esther Azzopardi's half-time whistle found the Stripes frustrated heading to their dressing room down with two goals after the first-half.

The Second Half

The Stripes went out all-out on attack and they wasted two fine chances. Zerafa was the key on both occasions as first his cross failed to be hit by Plut in-front of Vella and just moments later, Morais also failed to conclude in-front the Citizenz goalkeeper.

Birkirkara put everything up-front with the aim and hope to get back in the match but it was Valletta who wrapped-up their victory on the fifty-sixth minute. Ndjongo Priso was adjudicated to be fouled by Mazzetti inside the box and Referee Esther Azzopardi ordered the penalty. From the eleven-metre spot, the same Priso made no mistake.

Three goals down the Stripes were down and out but they refused to put the towel in. Ryan Scicluna, after served by Quero, dashed into the City box before hitting a dipping shot that Vella just managed to push onto the bar.

Jonathan Caruana made a perfectly-timed tackle to nudge the ball away from Plut and Vella then pawed away Barraso's corner while Valletta almost meted out further punishment as Falcone served the steaming Nafti whose grounder grazed the far post.

Valletta made them four just before the full-time whistle in an action combined by two substitutes. Mifsud Triganza served youngster Jean Borg who kept calm and drilled a low shot past goalkeeper Justin Haber.

BIRKIRKARA: Justin Haber, Zach Muscat, Nikola Vukanac, Mauricio Mazzetti, Joseph Zerafa, Gareth Sciberras, Rowen Muscat, Ryan Scicluna (79' Frank Temile), Ryan Camemzuli (39' Juan Qeuro), Ellinton Morais, Vito Plut.

VALLETTA: Nick Vella, Jonathan Caruana, Ryan Camilleri, Juan Gill Cruz, Roderick Briffa (73' Llywelyn Cremona), Ndjongo Priso (77' Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza), Federico Falcone (85' Jean Borg), Claudio Pani, Umeh Calistus, Abdelkarim Nafti, Romeu Romao.

Referee: Esther Azzopardi
Assistant Referees: Mitchell Scerri, Chris Francalanza
Additional Assistant Referees: Trustin Farrugia Cann, Philip Abela.
Fourth Official: Peter Abela

Yellow Cards: 26' Jonathan Caruana, 32' Ndjongo Priso (Valletta).

Scorers: 21' Federico Falcone, 34' Roderick Briffa, 59' Ndjongo Priso, 90+2' Jean Borg (Valletta)

comments powered by Disqus