Stripes back to winning ways
by Ayrton Galea - 6th March 2016
Birkirkara FC returned to winning ways in the BOV Premier League when a magnificent goal by Goran Mujanovic ten minutes from time enabled them to turn the score around and emerge victorious with a 2-1 score, after Frank Temile had cancelled Alex Nilsson's early strike in the second half.
It was a difficult challenge that the Stripes had to overcome especially after they went one goal down just three minutes into the second half. However, the double substitution affected by Coach Mr. Drazen Besek when he included Vito Plut and Joseph Zerafa changed the rhytym of the match drastically, and they emerged as deserving winners.
With this win the Stripes they regained their fourth place alone in the Premier League standings, since Floriana fell to a defeat against Balzan. Also, Birkirkara certainly left the Stadium brimming with confidence, that their lack of forward punch could have been sorted out after today's game with the return of Vito Plut, while L'Imam Seydi has continued to show signs of improvement.
But on the other hand, the absence of Attard, Mazzetti and Vukanac all missing left a number of gaps in the defence, while Sciberras had to be once again sacrificed at the back. Goalkeeper Ini Akpan, Edward Herrera, Edison Bilbao and Mislav Andelkovic were also all missing. Akpan, Herrera and Andelkovic were out injured while Bilbao was suspended.
Coach Mr. Drazen Besek made four changes, all forced, from the last match against Floriana. Miroslav Kopric regained his place between the posts off the injured Akpan, Cain Attard was replaced by Matthew Guillaumier, Mislav Andelkovic was replaced by Edmond Agius while Frank Temile took the place of the suspended Edison Bilbao.
The Croatian Coach fielded a 4-4-2 formation. Kopric defended the posts, Bubalovic and Sciberras were the centre-backs while Mujanovic and Scicluna started on the side-backs. Edmond Agius and Matthew Guillaumier composed the midfield department helped by wingers Frank Temile and Ryan Camenzuli. L'Imam Seydi and Matija Smrekar started-up front.
The First Half
Tarxien Rainbows threatened twice in the opening ten minutes. On the third minute, Miroslav Kopric had to be alert to punch the ball into safety from a direct corner kick. Seven minutes later, Alex Nilsson had a dangerous curling strike from the edge of the box ending wide.
The Stripes had to wait to the twenty-fourth minute to have their first scoring chance. Edmond Agius delivered an accurate corner kick that saw L'Imam Seydi rising high but his header ending wide. Three minutes later, Seydi advanced forward as the Stripes were quick to transfer the ball up-front and served Temile but his shot from outside the box ended wide.
However the best chance of the first half fell to Tarxien on the thirty-second minute. A short clearance fell at the feet of Ayrton Azzopardi, who hit a wonderful strike that brought the best out of Kopric, as the latter performed an excellent save to tip the ball into a corner kick.
Just before half-time, Ryan Camenzuli who advanced into the box but his low cross was blocked by a defender, and the first-half ended in a fair goal-less draw.
The Second Half
Tarxien Rainbows surged ahead just three minutes into the second half. Ayrton Azzopardi sent a cross inside the box which the Birkirkara defence failed to clear into safety, and Alex Nilsson shot past goalkeeper Kopric for the opening goal.
The Stripes were stunned. Having been under pressure from the word go, they were now chasing another game in which they could not afford not to take maximum points to keep their aspirations alive. Their frustration looked clear as they were short of ideas.
Coach Drazen Besek was quick to make the desired changes. Just past the hour mark, Joseph Zerafa replaced Edmond Agius while Vito Plut replaced Matthew Guillaumier.
Despite Birkirkara remained playing with a 4-4-2 formation, there were a number of tactical changes. Joseph Zerafa was included as a centre-back as Gareth Sciberras was advanced in his usual midfield position along-side with Camenzuli. Vito Plut and Matija Smrekar were now the forwards as L'Imam Seydi and Frank Temile patrolled the wings.
The decision to move Ryan Camenzuli to the midfield almost left an instant impact, as the left-footed player was unlucky to see his powerful strike smashing against the crossbar, as the Stripes began to push forward and put their opponents under pressure.
The Stripes were now all over their opponents and they deservingly levelled the score twelve minutes from time. Bubalovic's cross-shot found Smrekar who lay down the ball to Temile and the Nigerian forward placed the ball at the back of the net to make the score level.
All of the momentum was on Birkirkara's side and not even two minutes had passed and the Birkirkara clan erupted with joy when they turned the score in their favour thanks to a magnificent goal by Goran Mujanovic. Advancing forward on the left side, he cut to the middle before unleashing a wonderful strike that hit hard past goalkeeper Cassar.
The Stripes could have also made them three when in a fast-counter attack, Seydi served Plut who continued the ball to Camenzuli but the latter's shot was blocked by Cassar.
Deep into stoppage time, Tarxien's hopes of winning something from the match completely faded away when Daniel Fernandez Prendes was sent off with a direct red card for kicking Ryan Camenzuli in an off the ball incident.
The referee's full-time whistle found the Stripes returning to winning ways thanks to a late comeback to keep their hopes alive.
BIRKIRKARA: Miroslav Kopric, Ryan Scicluna, Gareth Sciberras, Christian Bubalovic, Goran Mujanovic, Edmond Agius (61' Joseph Zerafa), Matthew Guillaumier (61' Vito Plut), Ryan Camenzuli, Frank Temile, L'Imam Seydi, Matija Smrekar (83' Kurt Zammit).
TARXIEN RAINBOWS: Andrea Cassar, Ebiabowei Baker, Bruno Giglio de Oliveira, Timothy Tabone Desira (84′ Luke Montebello), Triston Caruana (46′ Carlos Menendez Hevia), Brandon Muscat, Alex Nilsson, Ayrton Azzopardi, Sergio Fernandez Prendes, Daniel Zerafa, Joao Pedro Oliveira Santos (74′ John Mintoff).
Referee: Glen Tonna. Assistant Referees: Chris Francalanza, Ryan Aquilina. Additional Assistant Referees: Alan Mario Sant, Marco Borg. Fourth Official: Alan Camilleri.
Yellow Cards: Joseph Zerafa (Birkirkara), Daniel Zerafa (Tarxien Rainbows) Red Cards: 89′ Sergio Prendes (Tarxien Rainbows).
Scorers: 48′ Alex Nilsson (Tarxien Rainbows), 78′ Frank Temile, 80′ Goran Mujanovic (Birkirkara). BOV Player of the Match: Ayrton Azzopardi (Tarxien Rainbows).
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