Fourth consecutive victory for the Stripes
by Ayrton Galea - 3rd April 2016
Birkirkara FC registered the fourth consecutive victory in the BOV Premier League when with a goal in each half by Mauricio Mazzetti and Frank Temile handed them an important 2-0 victory against bottom-placed Qormi FC.
In a match that the Stripes dominated for long stretches, they made sure of no surprising slip-ups as their challenge for the top-three finish remained on track with the fourth consecutive victory. Thanks to this victory, the Stripes kept the pressure on Balzan with just one point behind while strengthened their fourth place position as they are now six points over Floriana.
Head Coach Mr. Drazen Besek made one change from the last match against Naxxar Lions as Mislav Andelkovic, returning following an ankle injury which left him ruled-out a number of weeks, replaced Ryan Camenzuli who was unavailable with a hamstring injury. On the other hand Ryan Camenzuli was unavailable with a hamstring injury. Edward Herrera and Nikola Vukanac both remained injured.
The Croatian Coach fielded a 4-2-3-1 formation. There were no changes at the back as Bubalovic and Mazzetti formed the centre-backs while Attard and Zerafa patrolled the side-backs. Andelkovic and Sciberras were the defensive shield in-front of the defence. Mujanovic and Temile patrolled the wings as started at the either side of advanced midfielder Scicluna while Smrekar retained his place up-front.
The First Half
Birkirkara's intentions were clear to notice as they quickly took control and they produced the first scoring opportunity after five minutes, when Mauricio Mazzetti had a fine direct free-kick from the right but his curling strike ended just over the bar.
The Stripes were in control, despite having the strong wind blowing against them, but they were struggling to penetrate in the third end. Aware of the situation, the Stripes tried their luck from outside the box by Ryan Scicluna mid-way through the first-half but his fierce shot ended over.
Birkirkara made their superiority count on the twenty-sixth minute as they broke the dead-lock. Matija Smrekar played an intelligent short free-kick to Frank Temile before he delivered an inch-perfect cross to Mauricio Mazzetti who directed a powerful header at the roof of the net past goalkeeper Andreas Vella.
Boosted by the opening goal, the Stripes looked more comfortable playing the ball on the ground. Racing forward in a fast counter-attack, Temile sped forward before serving Mujanovic on the left who continued to ball to Smrekar but the latter's shot was easily saved by goalkeeper Vella.
There was no notable action till the end of the first-half as Referee Alan Mario Sant's half-time whistle found the Stripes heading to their dressing room with a narrow lead thanks to Mazzetti's opening goal mid-way through the first-half.
The Second Half
Despite having the first scoring chance of the second half by Scicluna which was saved by Vella, the Stripes had a slow start in the second half as Qormi went out more aggressive. Nagaoka Go had a first-time effort from inside the box six minutes in the second half.
Qormi went close on the fifty-eighth minute when goalkeeper Kopric failed to hold a long-ball from the back following a lack of communication with Bubalovic and Ryan Micallef fired over from an ideal position inside the box.
The Stripes were unlucky not to double the lead on the fifty-ninth minute. Temile stole the ball outside the box and served Smrekar who continued the ball to Scicluna who had his low shot blocked by Vella, hitting the foot of the post before cleared into a corner kick.
Birkirkara produced another fine scoring opportunity twenty minutes inside the second half. Andelkovic advanced forward unchallenged before picking Smrekar all-alone inside the box but the Croatian's first-time effort was too central to trouble Vella as the latter easily saved his effort.
The Stripes continued to push forward as they sought to put their minds at rest and threatened again three minutes later. Smrekar raced forward before supplying a through-ball to the on-running Muianovic who had his fine shot well saved by Vella.
Goalkeeper Vella looked on top of his form again on the seventieth minute. The speed of Mujanovic was creating problems for Qormi's rear-guard as he drifted forward on a through ball by Scicluna but his shot was blocked in style by Vella.
The Stripes made sure of the three points two minutes from time when they doubled their lead. Frank Temile stole the ball from Emerson Vella inside the box of Qormi with Vella flooring the Nigerian forward. Referee Alan Mario Sant sent off Vella and ordered the penalty, from which Temile sent Vella the wrong way.
Frank Temile was voted as the BOV Player of the Match.
BIRKIRKARA: Miroslav Kopric, Cain Attard, Christian Bubalovic, Mauricio Mazzetti, Joseph Zerafa, Gareth Sciberras, Ryan Scicluna (84' Kurt Zammit), Mislav Andelkovic, Goran Mujanovic, Frank Temile, Matija Smrekar (76' Edmond Agius).
QORMI: Andreas Vella, Ryan Micallef (66′ Yannick Yankam), Kurt Magro (82′ Pietro Viggiani), Djamel Leeflang Boestra, Alessio Cassar, Ousmane Sidibe, Noah Olawole Ojuola, Terence Vella, Clifford Gauci, Emerson Vella, Go Nagaoka (66′ Joshua Barbara).
Referee: Alan Mario Sant.
Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, William Debattista.
Fourth Official: Sandro Spiteri.
Yellow Cards: 28' Nagaoka Go (Qormi), 41' Joseph Zerafa, 78' Ryan Scicluna (Birkirkara).
Red Cards: 88' Emerson Vella (Qormi).
Scorers: 26' Mauricio Mazzetti, 88' Frank Temile (Birkirkara).
BOV Player of the Match: Frank Temile (Birkirkara).
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