Late equaliser denies Birkirkara
by Ayrton Galea - 5th November 2012
Birkirkara's hopes to narrow the gap to two points with leaders Valletta were dashed in the fourth minute of added time when Qormi scored a late equaliser to end a hot tempered match with a score of 1-1.
Birkirkara were heading for a very important victory which would have seen them narrowing the gap with leaders Valletta to two points but Qormi kept strong and their determination earned them an important point.
The match was conditioned with the harsh send-off of Edward Herrera which as one could expect brought hard protests by the Birkirkara bench and supporters. This send-off saw Qormi taking control much more of the game and earned them the equalising goal in the dying minutes which cost a precious two points to Birkirkara.
Birkirkara opted for a 4-5-1 formation with Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza the only striker supported by Ryan Camenzuli and Ryan Scicluna. Paul Fenech returned for Mr. Paul Zammit's side but Shola Shodiya, Joselito Dos Reis, Karl Magri and Zach Muscat were missing for 'The Stripes' with the latter ruled out through suspension. Jhonnattann Benites was not in the best condition and began on the bench.
For Qormi, Gaetan Spiteri was missing due to an indefinite suspension by the MFA, while Triston Farrugia was still ruled out for the Yellow-Blacks.
Birkirkara were playing with an unfamiliar green kit, a kit which was chosen by the Club's members during a meeting last season.
The First Half
In the first opportunity of the match, Vincenzo Pisani for Qormi served Jonathan Bondin on the 4th minute but his shot ended wide.
Qormi were dangerous on the 7th minute following a fine shot by Matthew Bartolo.
Birkirkara almost took the lead on the 16th minute when off a short clearance following an Edward Herrera's cross, Ryan Camenzuli low powerful shot scratched past the post.
Off a corner by Ryan Scicluna on the 2nd post, Edward Herrard headed wide on the 18th minute.
Birkirkara continued to be the better side and off a cross by Paul Fenech on the 26th minute, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza's header ended wide.
Mifsud Triganza was in action once again on the 31st minute with a solo action concluded with a fine shot ending over the bar.
Birkirkara took the deserved lead on the 38th minute when off a perfect cross by Ryan Camenzuli, Nikola Vukanac's powerful header gave goalkeeper Farrugia no chance.
This goal gave Birkirkara a soft cushion on which they could build-on as they could play the possession game easier without the urgency to score goals.
Vincenzo Pisani for Qormi had a shot ending wide without creating any problems for Gauci.
The first half did not offer much in the form of entertainment, but Birkirkara did what was required, that is, be in the lead.
The Second Half
Birkirkara had a great chance to make them two when off a perfect pass by Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, Ryan Camenzuli's fine shot was well blocked by Matthew Farrugia on the 51st minute.
Birkirkara had another fine chance on the 56th minute when off a freekick by Ryan Camenzuli, Nikola Vukanac saw his powerful header ending wide.
Matthew Farrugia failed to recover from Ryan Camenzuli's shot who hit this face and had to be substituted by Steve Sultana on the hour mark.
Paul Fenech had a long distance low shot ending wide on the 61st minute.
In the first substitution for Birkirkara, Jhonnattann Benites replaced Ryan Scicluna on the 61st minute. Also, Qormi made their second substitution in the same minute when Matthew Bartolo was replaced with Leighton Grech.
Abubaker Bello Osagie had a fine solo action concluded with a fine shot which ended wide on the 63rd minute.
Jhonnattann Benites had a direct free-kick turned into a corner by Steve Sultana on the 68th minute.
Edward Herrera was sent off for a tough tackle on the 70th minute. This left Birkirkara with 10 men with Paul Fenech retired in right back position.
Abubaker Bello Osagie had a powerful shot ending over on the 77th minute.
Birkirkara made their second substitution on the 80th minute when Godwin McKay replaced Ryan Camenzuli.
Reuben Gauci performed a great save on Kris Thackray's free-kick on the 85th minute to deny Qormi the equalising goal.
In the third and final substitution for Birkirkara on the 85th minute, Antoine Borg made his Premier League debut for Birkirkara when he replaced Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza.
With eight minutes of added time, Qormi who were going through fine patches which filled them with confidence and determination that they could still earn something from this game.
Qormi scored the equalising goal four minutes into the added time to the disappointment of the whole Birkirkara clan who were so near, yet so far to an important victory. Edison Bilboa Zarate released Sebestian Siritto's and his shot hit the crossbar and off the rebound, Abubaker Bello Osagie, who had a magnificent performance, fired a shot which gave Gauci no chance.
Qormi seemed to be reduced to ten men on the fifth minute of added time when referee Marco Borg ,who many consider him as the protagonist of the match, sent off Edison Zarate for the second yellow card. However, Zarate had only collected one yellow card and the referee told him to continue playing the match.
The full time whistle found Birkirkara consolidate their second place but now just one point ahead of Mosta, Sliema Wanderers and Hibernians respectively while staying four points under leaders Valletta.
BIRKIRKARA: Reuben Gauci, Edward Herrera, Nikola Vukanac, Alejandro Mendoza, Joseph Zerafa, Gareth Sciberras, Rowen Muscat, Paul Fenech, Ryan Scicluna (61' Jhonnattann Benites), Ryan Camenzuli, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (85' Antoine Borg).
QORMI: Matthew Farrugia (60' Steve Sultana), Kris Thackray, Roderick Sammut, Matthew Bartolo (61' Leighton Grech), Vincenzo Pisani, Joseph Chetcuti, Abubakar Bello Osagie, Luke Sciberras Matthew Gauci, Edison Bilboa Zarate, Jonathan Bondin.
Scorers: 38' Nikola Vukanac (Birkirkara), 90+4' Abubaker Bello Osagie (Qormi)
Yellow Cards: Rowen Muscat, Gareth Sciberras, Antoine Borg (Birkirkara), Roderick Sammut (Qormi)
Red Cards: 70' Edward Herrera (Birkirkara)
Man of the match: Ryan Camenzuli (Birkirkara)
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