BOV Premier League - Balzan FC 0-0 Birkirkara FC

by Ayrton Galea - 13th January 2019

Birkirkara FC started the second round of the BOV Premier League with a point after the direct clash against Bazan FC ended in a goal-less draw.

Both teams created several chances during the match, with the Stripes having their best scoring opportunities in the first half. On the other hand, Balzan had their moments in the first half as the second half was rather drab and both teams cancelled each other.

The Stripes were forced to finish the match with ten men, as substitute Terence Agius was given a harsh straight red-card after he was adjudicated for a two-footed tackle on Paul Fenech, but the Stripes held strong to take at least a point from this direct clash.

Birkirkara had their newly-appointed Sports Director, John Arne Riise making his first appearance on the substitutes' bench. Club's latest signing Maurizio Vella was handed his debut right from the start, while Luke Montebello was also given the nod for a place in the starting-eleven selection.

Vella replaced Michael Mifsud who started on the substitutes' bench, while Montebello replaced Petar Orladic who was released by the club earlier this week. On the other hand, Jorge Pereira was included as a substitute mid-way through the second half.

The First Half

The match got off a powerful start as both teams went out searching for an early goal. It was Balzan who threatened first after three minutes, when following a quick free-kick, Andrija Majdevac produced a fine solo-action, but his low shot ended wide.

The Stripes replied on the seventh minute with a fine scoring chance. Andelkovic showed his match-vision by supplying an excellent diagonal through-ball towards the on-running Luke Montebello and surged forward, but his low shot scratched past the post.

Birkirkara were now playing better football. They were putting more numbers football and their aggressive approach inside the opening twenty minutes. Jake Grech hit high off a low cross by Attard, while Marcelo's wonderful curling drive ended just over the net.

The Stripes created their best chance on the twenty-first minute. Jake Grech showed his great potential with a powerful run before he sent an inch-perfect towards Luke Montebello who beat the offside trap, but his shot was denied by the on-rushing Balzan goalkeeper, Steven Sultana.

Balzan stepped-up their match following mid-way through the first half. Siraj Edin Arab advanced well on the right flank before finding Carlos De Fiori Mendes inside the box, but his low shot was well-saved by the Birkirkara goalkeeper, Kristijan Naumovski.

Balzan could have concluded better few minutes before the end of the first half, as they went close again. Uros Ljubomirac controlled the ball inside the box, but his careless effort from an ideal position ended wide.
 

The Second Half

The Stripes started the second half on the attack. Poor communication between the Balzan defenders gifted Luke Montebello possession and the towering forward surged forward before having his shot pushed away in a corner kick thanks to another brilliant save of Sultana.

Birkirkara wasted a great chance on the fifty-sixth minute. Montebello beat the offside trap and dashed forward down the left flank before sending an excellent low cross but poor communication found Marcelo Henrique hitting wide instead of Jake Grech who was in a much better position.

Twenty minutes inside the second half, Riise affected a double change as he introduced Michael Mifsud and Jorge Pereira, with the latter making his debut with our club, for Marcelo and Montebello as he looked for fresh ideas in the forward line.

Both teams produced a fine scoring chance in space of three minutes. Carlos De Fiori Mendes played Majdevac, but his flick past Naumovski hit the side-netting. On the other side of the pitch, Guillaumier made a fine solo-action and his shot from outside the box was blocked by Sultana.

The Stripes were forced to play the last six minutes and additional time with one man less, as substitute Terence Agius was shown a straight red card after he was adjudicated on a two-footed challenge on Paul Fenech. A red card which seemed too harsh on the Birkirkara midfielder.

Balzan tried to make the most out of their numerical advantage, but the Stripes held strong in their forced 4-4-1 formation to take a point each from the direct clash.

Balzan goalkeeper, Steven Sultana who made a string of fine saves during the match was named the BOV Player of the Match.

BALZAN: Steven Sultana, Aleksandar Kosoric, Nenad Slijivic, Siraj Eddin Arab (71' Lydon Micallef), Steven Bezzina, Paul Fenech (90' Alfred Effiong), Uros Ljubomirac, Ivan Bozovic, Carlos De Fiori Mendes, Andrija Majdevac, Milos Lepovic.

BIRKIRKARA: Kristijan Naumovski, Danilo Chapoval, Matthew Guillaumier, Mislav Andelkovic, Maurizio Vella (75' Terence Agius), Luke Montebello (65' Michael Mifsud), Jake Grech, Kurt Zammit, Eduardo Dos Santos, Cain Attard, Marcelo Henrique (65' Jorge Pereira).

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Theodore Zammit.
Fourth Official: Stefan Pace.

Yellow Cards: 41' Marcelo Henrique (Birkirkara).
Red Cards: 84' Terence Agius (Birkirkara).

Scorers: None.

BOV Player of the Match: Steven Sultana (Balzan).

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