The Stripes beat The Blues to keep marching on
by Ayrton Galea - 17th September 2013
Champions Birkirkara FC produced a determined display to overcome the strong challenge by Mosta to register their second consecutive victory when they registered a 3-1 victory.
In a high-tempo match where both sides played their hearts out on the pitch, Birkirkara were solid enough to beat a determined Mosta thanks to two-goals in the second half, after Mosta cancelled out Birkirkara's lead in the first half.
It was no ride in the park for the Stripes, as despite enjoying most of the possession especially in the first half, Mosta gave an excellent display and the Blues might consider themselves unlucky to leave the Victor Tedesco Stadium with nothing to show for their efforts.
Brazilian defender Matheus Bissi, who was the protagonist in the last match with the winning goal, left his touch once again as this time the Brazilian defender scored a wonderful long-distance free-kick besides having another excellent performance at the Stripes' rear-guard.
The Stripes were enjoying a comfortable edge after they took the lead near the half-hour but Kane Farrugia's goal for Mosta one minute before half-time complicated matters for Birkirkara. However, the Champions went out aggressive in the second half and they quickly regained the lead.
Despite the Stripes regaining the lead, the match was not over yet, since Mosta, who were now facing an uphill struggle, kept pushing forward. The Blues' attitude showed that they might not leave empty-handed, but substitute Jhonnattann Benites who making his return for the Stripes had different ideas as he made them three to seal the issue.
Both sides were coming from a victory in their last outing as the Stripes defeated Balzan with a 2-1 score, while Mosta edged-out Rabat Ajax with a comfortable 3-0 score. Thanks to this win, Birkirkara kept the pace with the top-four teams as leaders Hibernians, Valletta and Sliema Wanderers respectively all registered victories.
Head Coach Mr. Paul Zammit opted for the 3-5-2 formation for this match with Demba Toure and Shola Shodiya forming the attacking department. He made one change from the previous outing as Alejandro Mendoza replaced Terence Vella.
Frank Temile and Daniel Zerafa, who were not in the best medical condition last match both started on the bench. Jhonnattann Benites also was among the substitutes.
The First Half
The match started on a fine note as both teams went out on the offensive, and the early minutes produced a very-balanced encounter.
The Stripes went close to taking an early lead on the fourth minute. Shola Shodiya won possession outside the box and sent an excellent cross but none of the Birkirkara forwards managed to connect.
Mosta did not hold back and they were also adventurous in the first minutes. The Blues also went close on taking the lead on the 11 minutes as Jonas Ekani served Yuri De Jesus Messias whose low shot from an ideal diagonal position was saved by an alert Justin Haber.
Birkirkara were unlucky not to take the lead on the 13th minute. Edward Herrera took an excellent free-kick which saw Matheus Bissi's flying-header denied by the crossbar.
The Stripes remained the best team on the field and past the sixteenth minute mark, they went close once again. Paul Fenech served Demba Toure who fired an excellent shot from outside the box which drifted wide.
Rowen Muscat also tried his luck with a shot from outside the box on the 18 minutes but the National midfielder's effort ended over.
The first twenty-five minutes proved to be entertaining as both sides did not gave an inch of space. Birkirkara who were continually on the attack were enjoying a slight edge but Mosta's swift counter-attacks seemed to be a headache for the Stripes.
The Stripes were awarded for their efforts as they surged ahead on the 28th minute. Matheus Bissi produced a thunderous free-kick which hit hard past beaten Omar Borg.
This was what the Champions were seeking, as the opening-goal could be the turning point of the match. The first half-hour of the match produced a balanced yet entertaining match.
Despite Mosta looked shocked and surprised after conceding the goal, they did not fall back, as they were quick to make a reply. Ryan Grech's low shot was deflected and ended in the path of Ricardo Silva whose tap-in ended wide from close range.
Birkirkara seemed to double their lead on the 37th minute when Shola Shodiya served Demba Toure who beat Omar Borg from close-range. However, the assistant referee ruled it out for an offside position, although this decision was dubious.
When the match was heading towards the half-time break, Mosta grabbed the equalising goal. On the 44th minute, Diego Pereira's low cross surprised Justin Haber with Kane Farrugia who was in the ideal position hit home in an empty net.
The Stripes had no time to make any reaction as they saw their narrow lead cancelled out before referee Alan Mario Sant's whistle brought to an end the entertaining first half.
The Second Half
Birkirkara went out aggressive in the second half but it was Mosta who almost had a dream-start by taking the lead for the first time. Yuri De Jesus Messias fired a powerful shot from outside the box which hit the upright.
Just one minute later, the Blues had another golden opportunity to surge ahead. Youngster Kurt Zammit showed great vision by providing an excellent through ball in direction of Diega Pereira, who all alone against Haber, saw the latter performing an excellent save to keep the score level.
For every golden opportunity lost, there is a sour price to pay. The Blues saw this happening, as the Champions regained the lead on the 52nd minute. Edward Herrera produced an excellent corner kick which saw Shola Shodiya hitting a powerful header which beat goalkeeper Omar Borg to regain the lead for Birkirkara.
Once again, Mosta were quick to make a reaction. Nine minutes in the second half, Yuri De Jesus Messias, who was being in action most of the time where the Blues where on the attack, tried his luck with a shot from outside the box which was easily saved by Justin Haber.
The second goal by the Champions did not see Mosta throwing in the towel. The Blues were showing great attitude to push forward as they continued to believe that they could once again draw. However, they found a difficult hurdle as the Stripes, who were conceding possession in their own half, defended well.
Twenty minutes from time, Mr, Paul Zammit utilised his first substitution as Jhonnattann Benites replaced Demba Toure.
Mosta kept piling up the pressure and on the 77th minute, Manolito Micallef had a diagonal shot ending totally wide. The Stripes replied three minutes later, but they were denied from making them three, as Jhonnattann Benites had an excellent free-kick blocked by Omar Borg.
Five minutes from time, it was Justin Haber to keep the Stripes in the lead as the National goalkeeper performed an outstanding save. Lukas Duriska sent a perfect cross in direction of substitute Bojan Kaljevic whose wonderful close-range volley was denied by a great save and then cleared into safety.
Mr. Paul Zammit effected the second and third substitution on the 87th and 90th minutes respectively. Edward Herrera was replaced by Ryan Camenzuli, and then Shola Shodiya was replaced by Frank Temile, who returning from a minor injury.
However, despite conceding pressure in their own half for most of the second half, it was the Stripes who had the last laugh in the match as on the 90 minutes mark, the Stripes made them three. Ryan Camenzuli's fine pressing earned him possession outside the box and he tried his luck with a shot which hit the upright. Jhonnattann Benites was in the perfect position to make the best out of the rebound to seal the issue with the third goal.
Shola Shodiya who had an outstanding performance was voted as the BOV Man of the match.
BIRKIRKARA FC: Justin Haber, Edward Herrera (87' Ryan Camenzuli), Alejandro Mendoza, Joseph Zerafa, Matheus Bissi, Paul Fenech, Gareth Sciberras, Zach Muscat, Shola Shodiya (90' Frank Temile), Rowen Muscat, Demba Toure (70' Jhonnattann Benites.
MOSTA FC: Omar Borg, Manolito Micallef, Tyrone Farrugia, Kane Farrugia, Jonas Ekani, Lukas Duriska, Kurt Zammit, Ryan Grech, Yuri De Jesus Messias, Diago Pereira, Ricardo Silva (56' Bojan Kaljevic).
Referee: Alan Mario Sant.
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Thomas Debono.
Fourth Official: Sandro Spiteri.
Yellow Cards 30' Paul Fenech, 56' Matheus Bissi (Birkirkara), 18' Diego Pereira, 35' Ryan Grech, 45' Kane Farrugia (Mosta)
Scorers: 28' Matheus Bissi, 52' Shola Shodiya, 90' Jhonnattann Benites (Birkirkara), 45' Kane Farrugia (Mosta)
BOV Man of the match: Shola Shodiya (Birkirkara)
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