Solid Stripes beat Mosta
by Ayrton Galea - 20th December 2015
Birkirkara FC heaved a sigh of relief as they produced a wonderful performance to end the year on a high after they defeated Mosta FC with a 3-0 score thanks to a goal each by Edmond Agius, Juan Quero and Ryan Camenzuli.
Chants of ‘Birkirkara Hey, Hey' by the Birkirkara supporters after the match certainly showed a sigh of relief from the Stripes' faithful following their hectic days as undoubtedly that yesterday's performance was among the best ones this season.
Going out with all guns blazing, the Stripes surged ahead after just eighth minute and enjoyed an edge over their opponents for long stretches before two late goals thanks a direct wonderful free-kick by Juan Quero and a powerful low shot by Ryan Camenzuli added gloss to a very deserved victory.
It was Camenzuli, scorer of the third goal, who was unanimous choice for the player of the match as he produced a brisk-performance that tormented the Mosta defence thanks to his slick movement on the left wing. His skills were clear to show in the third goal when he produced a wonderful solo-action goal that sealed the Stripes victory. For him, this was the third goal in the last league's four matches.
Camenzuli's performance wasn't the only that stole the show as goalkeeper Akpan once again kept a clean-sheet aided by solid centre-back duo of Vukanac and Mazzetti's performance. On the other side of the pitch, Ellinton Morais once again contributed with another assist in the first goal of the match to Agius while despite failing to find the net, Plut also had another satisfactory display.
Has been quick to leave his mark in the last match, Edmond Agius was rewarded a first-eleven call-up and the hard-working midfielder scored his second goal in the last two matches while he enjoyed a fine-display. Marcelina was also back in the starting-eleven and along-side with Rowen Muscat, they enjoyed a satisfactory performance.
Thanks to this victory, the Stripes are now third with thirty-three points level with Floriana, two points under Hibernians and five under Valletta.
Coach Mr. Josef Mansueto was forced to do without the suspended Frank while Justin Haber remained unavailable along-side with Paul Fenech and Shola Shodiya and the inclusion of Agius and Marcelina were the two changes by the Birkirkara Coach as they replaced Sciberras and Temile respectively, with the latter was suspended.
Mr. Mansueto fielded a 4-3-3 formation with Camenzuli and Morais playing at the either side of striker Plut. Rowen Muscat, Agius and Marcelina composed the midfield while there were no changes at the back as Zach Muscat and Zerafa started on the sides with Mazzetti and Vukanac as central-backs.
The First Half
Mosta started well and they threatened first after five minutes when Edin Murga surged ahead on the left wing before his second-post cross was headed over by Ekani Rodriguez.
However, the Stripes settled and it was them who took the lead after eighth minute. Ellinton Morais was quick to serve Edmond Agius inside the box and the latter's first-time shot beat goalkeeper Yenz Cini. For Agius, this was his second goal in the last two matches.
Mosta tried to hit back but it was the Stripes who almost doubled the lead on the fourteenth minute when Zach Muscat picked-up Camenzuli inside the box who served unmarked Vito Plut but the latter's close-range effort was blocked by goalkeeper Cini.
Birkirkara remained sharper in-front of goal and mid-way through the first half, they produced another good opportunity. Marcelina showed great vision to lob over the defence in the path of Plut but the Slovenian's lob from a tight angle ended wide by inches.
As time gone by, Mosta began to increase the pressure with most of their attacks focused on the speed of Edin Murga. However, it was the Stripes who went close on the thirty-seventh minute when Camenzuli dribbled past his marker but his shot was deflected into a corner.
Three minutes later, the Stripes were only denied from the second goal by an excellent save of goalkeeper Yenz Cini. Agius played a short corner to Morais who delivered a second-post cross that saw Zach Muscat's acrobatic effort blocked by a brilliant save of Cini.
Mosta continued to push forward and they were being rewarded a number of free-kicks. First, they protested for the second yellow card to Mazzetti following a foul outside the box and four minutes half time, from another free-kick, Akpan tipped the ball over the bar after a close-range header.
The Stripes headed to their dressing rooms enjoying a narrow lead thanks to Agius' opener.
The Second Half
Birkirkara started the second half well. Just after two minutes, Mazzetti had a direct free-kick blocked by the alerted goalkeeper Cini while near the hour mark, from a free-kick from the right Vukanac's over-head kick ended just over the bar.
The Stripes had another golden opportunity to double the lead twenty minutes inside the second half. Rowen Muscat released Plut inside the box with the Slovenian striker squaring his pass back to Muscat but the latter's close-range shot was central and blocked by goalkeeper Cini.
Mosta suffered a set-back on the sixty-seventh minute when they ended-up playing with one player less. Donatus Okonkwo was sent-off after picking-up the second yellow card.
The Blues' Coach Mr. Ivan Zammit responded by including youngster James Brincat for Ian Zammit while on the seventy-second minute, Birkirkara's Coach Mr. Josef Mansueto made his first change as Rowen Muscat was replaced by Ryan Scicluna.
There was a moment of tension from the Stripes on the seventy-third minute when goalkeeper Ini Akpan accidentally handled the ball outside the box. Referee Lasha Silagava ordered the free-kick but from the set-piece, the ball hit the wall and was eventually cleared by the defence as the Stripes heaved a sigh of relief.
In Birkirkara's second substitution, Juan Quero replaced Ellinton Morais on the seventy-seventh minute and the Spanish midfielder couldn't have a better impact as just after six minutes on the field, he doubled Birkirkara's score.
Tyrone Farrugia fouled Ryan Scicluna outside the box and Referee Silagava ordered the free-kick. Juan Quero took charge and he struck a wonderful curling free-kick that surprised goalkeeper Cini to score his first goal in the Premier League.
Mosta were unlucky not to get back in the match three minutes from time. It was an action combined by two youngsters who went in as substitutes. Kyle Frendo raced forward and penetrated the defence with a precise through-ball to James Brincat who saw his shot coming off the up-right.
However it was the Stripes who added gloss to their victory as they made them three one minutes in added time. Ryan Camenzuli capped his outstanding performance when he produced a wonderful solo-action before rifled a low shot past goalkeeper Cini.
Ryan Camenzuli was voted as the BOV Player of the Match.
BIRKIRKARA: Ini Akpan, Zach Muscat, Mauricio Mazzetti, Nikola Vukanac, Joseph Zerafa, Emerson Marcelina, Rowen Muscat (72' Ryan Scicluna), Edmond Agius, Ryan Camemzuli, Ellinton Morais (77' Juan Quero), Vito Plut.
MOSTA: Yenz Cini, Jonas Rodriguez Ekani, Hassan Yau, Tyrone Farrugia, Manolito Micallef, Ian Zammit (70' James Brincat), Edile Michelletti Awoh, Onyekachi Donatus Okonkwo, Osa Guobadia (88' Kyle Frendo), Edin Murga, Gustavo De Paulo (83' Adrian Borg).
Referee: Lasha Silagava (GEO)
Assistant Referees: Zaza Pipia, Giorgi Egikashvili (GEO)
Fourth Official: Goga Kikacheishvili (GEO).
Yellow Cards: 25' Mauricio Mazzetti, 41' Rowen Muscat, 70' Ellinton Morais, 73' Ini Akpan (Birkirkara), 23' Edile Michelletti, 31' Onyekachi Donatus Okonkwo, 66' Hassan Yan (Mosta).
Red Cards: 67' Onyekachi Donatus Okonkwo (Mosta)
Scorers: 8' Edmond Agius, 83' Juan Quero, 90+1' Ryan Camenzuli (Birkirkara).
BOV Player of the Match: Ryan Camenzuli (Birkirkara).
