Birkirkara maintain perfect start

by Ayrton Galea - 31st August 2012

Birkirkara maintained their perfect streak by registering the third consecutive win by beating Rabat Ajax with a 2-0 score.

It was two corner kicks that paved the way for 'The Stripes' followed by a header by Nikola Vukanac and a tap in by Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza that saw Birkirkara grabbing another three precious points in this early stage.

It was not a walk in the park for Birkirkara as Rabat Ajax gave a determined performance especially in the first half when they created several goal scoring opportunities.

Birkirkara were coming from two wins with a 4-0 and 2-1 scores against Melita and Balzan respectively while Rabat lost to Qormi and then drew with Melita.

Birkirkara registered two players in these last two days, that is, Edward Herrera and Godwin Mckay. Both started the match on the bench with Herrera being included as a substitute mid-way in the second half.

Patrick Borg moved to Rabat Ajax on a loan basis as from today, but he was not called for this match.

Ryan Scicluna was suspended and Joselito Dos Reis is still recovering from injury and they were both missing for Birkirkara. Shola Shodiya was not in the best condition and he began on the bench.

Nikola Vukanac, Joseph Zerafa and Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza were chosen in the first eleven selection.

The First Half

Birkirkara had the first opportunity on the 7th minute. Joseph Zerafa served Ryan Camenzuli who advanced and sent a perfect cross which was headed by Jhonnattann Benites and the ball scratched past the post.

Birkirkara were unlucky not to take the lead on the 14th minute when off a corner from the left, Rabat's defence failed to clear and Zach Muscat's effort hit the right post and was then cleared into safety.

A volley by Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza from outside the box on the 16th minute was saved by goalkeeper Mintoff.

Birkirkara protested for a penalty on the 17th minute when a Rabat Ajax defender seemed to handle the ball inside the box but the referee had a different opinion and waved play on.

A long distance shot for Rabat Ajax by Ryan Micallef ended over on the 19th minute. In another shot for Rabat in the same minute, ended wide.

A long distance shot by Rowen Muscat ended over on the 20th minute.

Rabat protested for a penalty on the 23rd minute when Reuben Gauci floored Adam Smeir in the box, but the referee cautioned Smeir for a simulation.

Rabat had a goal disallowed for an offside on the 27th minute following a cross from the right.

A low shot by Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, following a fine solo action, was saved by goalkeeper Mintoff on the 29th minute.

Birkirkara took the lead on the 32nd minute when off a fine corner by Jhonnattann Benites, Nikola Vukanac's powerful header beat Mintoff.

Birkirkara were denied from the second goal on the 39th minute when a powerful diagonal shot by Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza hit the crossbar.

On the 42nd minute, Ryan Micallef for Rabat, had a fine shot with the ball first hitting a defender and then hitting the same Ryan, before going out for a goal kick.

Rabat Ajax had a second goal disallowed for an offside on the 44th minute, when a low shot beat Gauci but the linesmen flagged an offside position.

The first half ended with Birkirkara enjoying a narrow 1-0 lead, but failing to truly impress.

The Second Half

Rabat Ajax opened the second half well and after one minute they won a dangerous free-kick, which was taken by Yan Cauchi and it was turned well into a corner-kick by Gauci.

In the first substitution for Rabat Ajax, on the 52nd minute Heiner Backhous replaced Yan Cauchi.

Jhonnattann Benites and Rowen Muscat made a fine combination ten minutes into the second half. Jhonnattann served Rowen, who in turn passed back to the Brazilian winger, but his powerful shot was blocked by a defender.

Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza had a fine low shot turned into a corner kick on the 58th minute. From another fine corner-kick, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza tapped home, to make the score two-nil for Birkirkara.

A direct diagonal free-kick by Ryan Camenzuli on the hour mark ended wide.

Birkirkara made the first substitution on the 63rd minute when Edward Herrera made his debut with our Club and replaced Ryan Camenzuli.

A shot for Rabat on the 67th minute ended over, following a bad clearance by Alejandro Mendoza.

Birkirkara almost made them three from another corner-kick on the 68th minute. From a cross from the right, Rowen Muscat's powerful volley ended over.

In the second substitution for Birkirkara, Shola Shodiya replaced Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza on the 72nd minute.

Jhonnattann Benites almost scored a picture goal on the 77th minute but his wonderful shot from outside the box ended just over the bar.

Both teams made a substitution each on the 82nd minute. For Rabat, Adam Smeir was replaced with Neil Farrugia while for Birkirkara, an injured Joseph Zerafa was replaced with Fabian Zammit.

On the 86th minute, a powerful shot by Jhonnattann Benites after being served by Shola Shodiya was well saved by goalkeeper Mintoff.

In the third substitution for Rabat Ajax, Manual Foster was replaced with Christian Muscat on the 87th minute.

Shola Shodiya could easily have made them three on the second minute of the added time when all alone against the goalkeeper, his low shot was blocked and then cleared.

The full time whistle found Birkirkara registering their third consecutive to maintain their perfect streak.

BIRKIRKARA: Reuben Gauci, Zach Muscat, Alejandro Mendoza, Nikola Vukanac, Joseph Zerafa (82' Fabian Zammit), Rowen Muscat, Gareth Sciberras, Paul Fenech, Ryan Camenzuli (63' Edward Herrera), Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (72' Shola Shodiya), Jhonnattann Benites.

RABAT AJAX: Sean Mintoff, Christopher Schembri, Ivan Carapic, Joseph Caruana, Nerijus Asyrauskas, Adam Smeir (82' Neil Farrugia), Manuel Foster (87' Christan Muscat), Dylan Falzon, Ryan Micallef, Yan Cauchi (52' Heiner Backhous), David Azzopardi.

Scorer: 32' Nikola Vukanac, 58' Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (Birkirkara).

Yellow Cards: 13' Joseph Caruana, 23' Adam Smeir, 76' Heiner Backhous (Rabat Ajax), 34' Zach Muscat, 56' Paul Fenech (Birkirkara).

Man of the match: Jhonnattann Benites (Birkirkara).

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