Stripes defeat Vittoriosa in friendly match

by Ayrton Galea - 11th July 2013

Two goals in the first half and another three in the second saw the Stripes overcoming the challenge of Vittoriosa Stars with a comfortable 5-1 score in a friendly match played yesterday evening at the Sirens Grounds.

In another friendly match in preparation of next Tuesday's UEFA Champions League home leg against NK Maribor, The Stripes gave another solid performance which improved in the second half following a first half where they did not impress much.

In fact, Birkirkara's Head Coach, Mr. Paul Zammit made the best out of this friendly match as he experimented with several formations.

For this match, Frank Temile was given the green light in the starting eleven and the Nigerian striker had an excellent performance, in a particular way in the second half where he was a continuous torment for Vittoriosa. Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza and Michael Camilleri were also among the starting eleven and both left a good impression.

The Stripes' latest signings, Jonathan Marciel and Ricardo Jimenez were both in the squad. Jonathan began the match while Ricardo was included as a substitute for the second half. Gareth Sciberras was back for the Stripes but Joseph Zerafa, Ryan Scicluna and Paul Fenech were all missing.

Although it was not the most entertaining match, one could say that the match reached an acceptable level especially when considering that both teams were experimenting with their formations.

The First Half

The Stripes did not waste time to settle down as they opened the match on an aggressive not by shading the early minutes of the match thanks to their scoring chances.

Just three minutes in the first half, and the Champions went close. Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza sent a precise through ball in the direction of Nigerian striker Frank Temile who saw his low shot blocked by goalkeeper Sean Cini.

Hardly two minutes later, the Stripes were once again on the attack and they created another dangerous opportunity. Edward Herrera made some fine footwork on the left side before sending a deadly cross on the second post. Nikola Vukanac rose high to hit a powerful header which brought the best out of Cini to produce an excellent save and turn the effort into a corner kick.

Near the seventh minute mark, Vittoriosa created their first scoring opportunity with a powerful shot from inside the box which ended over.

However, the Stripes were quick to reply to Vittoriosa's scoring opportunity as on the 10th minutes, they created the best opportunity so far. Frank Temile intelligently served Michael Camilleri and aided by a defensive blunder, the youngster found himself in an ideal position, but his final touch to round the goalkeeper was too strong and the ball ended in a goal kick.

Frank Temile's speed was being essential in Birkirkara's scoring opportunities. Past the fifteen minutes mark, Temile was in an ideal position once again, but his low shot was well-blocked by goalkeeper Cini who was being the protagonist to keep the score nil.

Three minutes later, Temile, who was being the centre of Birkirkara's scoring opportunities, was in action once again. He showed great technique to advance inside the box and then served Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza in an ideal position, but the latter's shot was deflected and easily saved by Cini.

Mid-way through the first half, the referee ordered a quick water-break to relieve the heat of the day. The match quickly continued.

The Stripes' performance during the first half did not impress much as they were still yet to score their first goal despite creating several fine scoring opportunities.

Three minutes past the half-hour, the Stripes created another dangerous opportunity. Frank Temile and Michael Camilleri performed a good combination with the youngster serving the Nigerian striker inside the box, whose fine curling shot was saved by the goalkeeper.

Sean Cini, the Vittoriosa goalkeeper, was the protagonist once again ten minutes from the end of the first half, denying Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza from a powerful free-kick.

Against the run of the play, it was Vittoriosa who went closest to take the lead. On the 38 minutes, a powerful diagonal shot from outside the box left Justin Haber staring with the ball hitting the crossbar and ending in a goal kick.

However, what Vittoriosa failed to do, the Stripes managed. From a precise corner Edward Herrera, Alejandro Mendoza hit perfectly a powerful header that hit the crossbar and went in to put the Stripes in a deserved lead.

One quickly became two, as the Stripes completed successfully also the next attack just one minute later. Frank Temile was perfectly served and his wonderful lob doubled Birkirkara's lead.

The first forty five minutes saw the Champions leading with a 2-0 score.

The Second Half

In the half-time interval, Mr. Paul Zammit made no less than four changes in order to try his team with a different formation and players' characteristics. Latest signing Ricardo Jimenez replaced Alejandro Mendoza, Shola Shodiya replaced Zach Muscat, Ryan Camenzuli replaced Michael Camilleri and Demba Toure replaced Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza.

Vittoriosa began the second half in an excellent way when just after three minutes they reduced the gap. Adam Spiteri's close-range effort beat Justin Haber to pull one back for the newly promoted side.

Having conceded an early goal in the second half, not only the Stripes did not throw in the towel, but theywere unlucky not to quickly regain a two-goal lead on the 52nd minute. Shola Shodiya showed great vision by sending a perfect through ball to Ryan Camenzuli. The promising youngster sent an excellent lob which beat the goalkeeper but was denied by the crossbar. Off the rebound, Demba Toure fired high.

Ryan Camenzuli's luck seemed to have abandoned him as just three minutes later, he was unlucky not to hit home in an empty net, from a perfect pass by Demba Toure.

Birkirkara's luck, or lack of it, was also playing an essential part in the match. The Stripes hit the crossbar once again, on the 57th minute. Edward Herrera sent a perfect cross, and Demba Toure headed well to beat the goalkeeper, but not the crossbar, and the ball went out.

Mr. Paul Zammit made his fifth change on the 58th minute when he replaced goalkeeper Justin Haber with Reuben Gauci.

However, the Stripes' third goal was in the air, and it was surely no surprise that they regained a two-goal lead on the 63 minutes. Gareth Sciberras won a deadly ball in the midfield, serving an unmarked Ryan Camenzuli, who this time round kept cool, to beat the goalkeeper.

Birkirkara made their sixth change as Kurt Zammit replaced Edward Herrera on the 70th minute.

The Stripes made them four on the 76th minute when Birkirkara were awarded a penalty after Frank Temile was floored inside the box. From the eleven metres, Demba Toure easily and powerfully converted.

Hardly two minutes later, Birkirkara should have been awarded the second penalty when Frank Temile was once again clearly floored inside the box but the referee waved play on.

Ten minutes from the end, the Nigerian striker Frank Temile was replaced by David Spiteri.

Four began five on the 87th minute when David Spiteri's screamer from a long distance was not held by the goalkeeper and off the rebound, Kurt Zammit slotted home.

Just before the full time whistle, Ryan Camenzuli had a powerful diagonal freekick ending over.

The full time whistle found the Birkirkara clan filled with hope and courage after watching their beloved team performing as expected, in anticipation of next Tuesday's difficult challenge against NK Maribor.

BIRKIRKARA: Justin Haber (58' Reuben Gauci), Michael Camilleri (45' Ryan Camenzuli), Alejandro Mendoza (Ricardo Jimenez), Nikola Vukanac, Jonathan Marciel, Edward Herrera (70' Kurt Zammit, Zach Muscat (45' Shola Shodiya), Rowen Muscat, Gareth Sciberras, Frank Temile (80' David Spiteri), Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (45' Demba Toure).

Scorers: 41' Alejandro Mendoza, 42' Frank Temile, 63' Ryan Camenzuli, 76' Demba Toure, 85' Kurt Zammit.

comments powered by Disqus