Stripes knock-out Greens and keep FA Trophy defence on track
by Ayrton Galea - 20th April 2016
Holders Birkirkara FC kept the FA Trophy defence bid on the right track on Wednesday evening, when thanks to two early goals and five-star performance, they outclassed opponents Floriana FC and emerged victorious with a 2-0 score and booked their place in the final four of the competition.
It was a top-notch display from the Stripes who undoubtedly produced their best performance of the season. They built a comfortable two-goal lead in the opening twenty-two minutes by an own goal and a wonderful free-kick by Mauricio Mazzetti and were clear superior for long stretches to maintain their lead and keep their aspirations alive of retaining the FA Trophy.
The Stripes played an excellent tactical game as set-out in a 4-2-3-1 cum 4-3-3 formation, they hardly left an inch at the back while proved to be clinical up-front to certainly please Head Coach Mr. Drazen Besek who left the National Stadium delighted by the perfect response from his players.
Goalkeeper Kopric ensured his second consecutive clean-sheet in just four days time as he produced a bold performance aided by the solid-rock display of centre-backs Bubalovic and Mazzetti who both confirmed their supreme form while side-backs Attard and Mujanovic also had a very satisfactory performance.
Holding midfielders Andelkovic and Sciberras also had an impressive performance. Sciberras travelled countless kilometers with his continuous pressing while Andelkovic proved that he's among the best holding midfielders on the island by his technical abilities. On the other hand, Scicluna, playing in advanced role, also confirmed his fine form by his hard work in-front of the midfield duo.
The offensive trio tormented the Floriana's rear-guard. While Plut scored his second goal in the last three matches and played an excellent role on holding to countless high balls, Temile was once again among the best performers with another terrific display. On the other hand, Camenzuli, replacing Zerafa who was suspended, had a satisfactory performance on the left flank.
Coach Mr. Besek had another reason to be happy as following an absence of long-time, Edward Herrera was back with the squad and he was called-up with the eighteen-man squad. Joseph Zerafa was suspended while Nikola Vukanac is still recovering from a long-term injury.
The First Half
The Stripes went out with all guns blazing and they registered the perfect start as it took them just six minutes to break to surge ahead. Gareth Sciberras' cross failed to be cleared into safety by Emerson Marcelina and Vito Plut made the ultimate from the situation with close-range effort which came off defender Emanuel Briffa and deflected into his own net.
Still stunned from an early goal, Birkirkara went on increasing Floriana's early woes as they almost added the second goal just two minutes later. The quick movement of Temile unsettled the Floriana defence before serving Cain Attard who had his well-placed shot just missing the target by inches.
It was evident Birkirkara's superiority and they doubled the lead on the twenty-second minute. Mauricio Mazzetti stepped-up for a free-kick outside the box and hit a wonderful curling strike past goalkeeper Calleja Cremona.
The Stripes were brimming with confidence. On the thirty-third minute, they threatened for the third goal when Ryan Camenzuli did fine movement outside the box and picked-up Temile inside the box but the Nigerian's shot just ended over the bar.
Outclassed for the opening thirty-five minutes, Floriana made a desperate reaction as they produced their first scoring opportunity. Nicholas Cheisa's free-kick was headed by Pepe in the direction of Fontanella but the latter's over-head kick ended over.
Birkirkara easily controlled their two-goal advantage till the end of the first-half and the Birkirkara players headed to their dressing room with a standing ovation and a deserved applause for an excellent fourty-five minutes performance.
The Second Half
Two goals down and fourty-five minutes to save their skins, the Greens went on all-out attack approach and they went close twice in the opening moments. A cross-shot by Steve Pisani almost surprise goalkeeper Kopric but the latter did well to turn the ball into a corner kick. From the resulting corner, taken by Pisani, Marcelina raised high to hit a fine header but Kopric blocked his attempt.
Goalkeeper Kopric had to be alert once again on the fourty-seventh minute when Matteo Piciollo served Nichola Chiesa inside the box to hit a first-time shot but his low strike was once again parried by the Birkirkara goalkeeper.
The Stripes settled and regained control. Ryan Camenzuli was twice denied by the fine reflexes of Matthew Calleja Cremona close to the ten minutes inside the second half when first he blocked his curling free-kick from and then from a short clearance, the Birkirkara left-footed player had a powerful drive tipped into corner by the goalkeeper.
Marcelina's reckless tackle on Camenzuli just two minutes later brought harsh protests by the Birkirkara clan for the sending off of the Brazilian defender but Referee Fyodor Zammit showed him the yellow card. From the resulting free-kick, Mazzetti had his central shot parried by Calleja Cremona.
Edmond Agius, included as a substitute past the hour mark by replacing Ryan Scicluna who already had been booked, made fine footwork before crossing to the left to the unmarked Camenzuli on the seventy-third minute but the latter had his fierce drive ending wide.
Floriana could have narrowed the gap if it wasn't for another excellent save by Kopric twelve minutes from time. Steven Bonnici, who had just come on by substituting Emanuel Briffa, as Piciollo's pass found him unmarked but his shot was saved by Kopric.
On the other side of the pitch, Frank Temile was unlucky twice for not crowning his terrific display by putting his name on the scoring sheet when he had a close-range effort blocked by Calleja Cremona and just moments later hitting the side-netted. Agius was also wide with a shot from inside the box.
As the Floriana supporters continued to head towards the exit gates, substitute Mauricio Villa hit the crossbar with a cross-shot in the stoppage time as the score remained unchanged and the full-time whistle was followed by a huge roar from the Birkirkara clan as they kept their trophy defence on track.
BIRKIRKARA: Miroslav Kopric, Cain Attard, Mauricio Matias Latini Mazzetti, Christian Bubalovic, Goran Mujanovic, Gareth Sciberras, Mislav Andelkovic, Ryan Scicluna (63′ Edmond Agius), Frank Temile (90+3′ Matthew Guillaumier), Ryan Camenzuli (80′ Kurt Zammit), Vito Plut.
FLORIANA: Matthew Calleja Cremona, Antonio Monticelli, Enrico Pepe, Steve Pisani, Clyde Borg, Neil Spiteri (60′ Mauricio Villa), Matteo Piciollo, Emanuel Briffa (78′ Steve Bonnici), Nicolas Chiesa, Mario Fontanella, Emerson Marcelina.
Referee: Fyodor Zammit.
Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Duncan Sultana.
Fourth Official: Glen Tonna.
Yellow Cards: Ryan Scicluna, Goran Mujanovic (Birkirkara), Steve Pisani, Enrico Pepe, Emerson Marcelina, Nicholas Chiesa (Floriana).
Scorers: 6' Own Goal, 22' Mauricio Mazzetti.
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