Second comeback, second win in AME Cup
by Ayrton Galea - 26th July 2012
Birkirkara produced another solid performance and thanks to another remarkable comeback, they beat Qormi with a 3-2 score.
Birkirkara were twice down by a goal but thanks to a never give up attitude they managed to turn the match around.
Without any doubt, Joselito Dos Reis was the hero for Birkirkara who scored two beautiful goals.
Mr. Zammit began this match with an experimental side as he made several changes from the last match against Sliema Wanderers.
Dutch striker Kevin Olivieira replaced Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, Rowen Muscat replaced Paul Fenech, youngster McCallisther Clinch replaced Ryan Camenzuli and Michael Camilleri replaced Brazilian winger Jhonnattann Benites.
Serbian midfielder Zoran Vuckovic and Brazilian defender Jusselio Donizete who are both currently on trial with our Club were once again in the first eleven selection.
Due to the unfortunate injuries of goalkeepers Karl Magri and Jonathan Martinelli, Birkirkara borrowed Lija Athletics' goalkeeper Ini Akpan.
The First Half
Joselito Dos Reis had a fine freekick in the first action on the 2nd minute ending wide by inches.
Qormi took the lead on the 11th minute when Abubaker Bello Osagie rounded Rodrigo Pereira and his powerful shot beat Reuben Gauci.
Joselito Dos Reis made a fine solo action on the 13th minute and concluded with a shot which was deflected and then easily saved by goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia.
Birkirkara had a fine opportunity to equalise on the 15th minute when Michael Camilleri sent a perfect cross to Joselito Dos Reis whose final shot ended wide.
Joselito Dos Reis was in action once again when on the 18th minute, following a counter attack he shot wide.
On the 18th minute, Joselito made a fast run, rounded no less than three players and beat Farrugia with a low shot.
Rodrigo Pereira on the 22nd minute failed to hit the ball but Reuben Gauci was alert and came out to save the danger.
Reuben Gauci came out of the posts on the 26th minute to anticipate a fine pass by Abubaker Bello Osagie.
Qormi regained the lead on the 30th minute when Joseph Chetcuti stole the ball from Ryan Scicluna and his powerful shot beat the helpless Gauci.
A long distance shot by Roderick Sammut for Qormi on the 33th minute ended wide.
Joselito Dos Reis sent a fine cross towards Michael Camilleri but Matthew Farrugia came out to eliminate the danger on the 37th minute.
Qormi had a fine opportunity on the 38th minute thanks to a shot by Joseph Chetcuti which scratched past the post.
Joselito Dos Reis was making life difficult for Stephen Wellman and following two consecutive fouls, Wellman was shown the yellow card on the 44th minute.
The first half ended with Birkirkara in a narrow 2-1 disadvantage against Qormi.
The Second Half
Birkirkara utilised no less than four substitutions in the half time interval as Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza replaced Kevin Olivieira, Ryan Camenzuli replaced McCallisther Clinch, Paul Fenech replaced Serbian midfielder Zoran Vuckovic and Brazilian winger Jhonnattann Benites replaced Michael Camilleri. Qormi also utilised three substitutions.
Birkirkara opened well from the very first minute. First a shot on goal by Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza was blocked by Farrugia and than a scissors kick by Ryan Scicluna was also blocked by the goalkeeper and then cleared into corner.
Goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia denied Birkirkara the equaliser on the 51st minute. Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza made a fine action, and served the unmarked Ryan Scicluna who tried a powerful low shot which was saved well by Farrugia.
Birkirkara equalised on the hour mark thanks to a direct wonderful free-kick by Rodrigo Pereira following a foul on Ryan Camenzuli.
Qormi were unlucky not to regain the lead on the 62nd minute when a direct free-kick by Stephan Wellman hit the crossbar and punched away by Gauci.
A long distance effort by Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza was easily saved by Farrugia on the 66th minute.
In the fourth substitution for Qormi on the 67th minute, John Alesbe was replaced with Kane Guedjouma.
A diagonal shot by Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza ended wide on the 68th minute.
Birkirkara continued to dominate Qormi and a typical long distance shot by Paul Fenech was saved by Farrugia on the 70th minute.
Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza took a fine freekick on the 73th minute which was blocked by Farrugia.
In the fifth substitution for Qormi on the 73rd minute, Luke Sciberras was replaced with Manuel Josef.
Joselito Dos Reis sent a perfect through ball to Jhonnattann Benites on the 75th minute but Farrugia rushed out and anticipated the pass.
In the sixth substitution for Qormi on the 78th minute, Sebastian Graffisna was replaced by Steve Agius.
Birkirkara were unlucky not took the lead when on the 78th minute a powerful header by Rodrigo Pereira off a cross from the left hit the crossbar.
Birkirkara could have notched the winner on the 87th minute. Jhonnattann Benites served Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza who passed to Ryan Scicluna and with the goalkeeper beaten, somehow the ball ended in a goal kick.
A powerful strike on the 90th minute by Joselito Dos Reis, who had a brilliant match, gave goalkeeper Farrugia no chance.
With Qormi having no time left to make a reaction, Birkirkara won the match with a 3-2 score and are the first team to advance to semi-finals of the AME Cup.
Birkirkara: Reuben Gauci, Rodrigo Pereira, Jusselio Donizete, McCallisther Clinch (45' Ryan Camenzuli), Gareth Sciberras, Rowen Muscat, Zoran Vuckovic (45' Paul Fenech), Ryan Scicluna, Michael Camilleri (45' Jhonnattann Benites), Joselito Dos Reis, Kevin Olivieira (45' Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza).
Qormi: Matthew Farrugia, Sebastian Graffisna, John Alesbe, Alessio Cassar, Stephen Wellman, Luke Sciberras, Abubaker Bello Osagie, Joseph Chetcuti, Roderick Sammut, Kris Thackray, Matthew Bartolo
Scorers: 11' Abubaker Bello Osagie (Qormi), 18' Joselito Dos Reis (Birkirkara), 30' Joseph Chetcuti (Qormi), 60' Rodrigo Pereira, 90' Joselito Dos Reis (Birkirkara)
Yellow Cards: Stephen Wellman (Qormi)
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