Champions back on track
by Ayrton Galea - 11th February 2014
Champions Birkirkara FC returned to winning ways on Saturday afternoon, when they dominated for long stretches, and beat Vittoriosa Stars 4-1.
Two goals in each half put the Stripes back on the right track as they completed their first phase commitments with fifty-six points, three over nearest rivals, Valletta FC. Birkirkara will start with twenty-three points, one over Valletta and four over Hibernians.
The Stripes were in total control for most of the match, and there were little to no doubt, where the three points were headed. After Alejandro Mendoza put Birkirkara ahead, Shola Shodiya increased the lead ten minutes from the end of the first half, and scored another brilliant goal fifteen minutes in the Second Half. Marcelo Pereira narrowed the gap for Vittoriosa but Frank Temile sealed the issue with the fourth goal on the nineteenth minute.
Mr. Paul Zammit switched to a 4-3-2-1 formation, but he was unable to field his best formation. Edward Herrera was missing once again, and Nikola Vukanac and Rowen Muscat were also added to the unavailability list.
Frank Temile was once again drafted to the first-eleven selection, to form part of the attacking trio with Shola Shodiya and Jhonnattann Benites. Joseph Zerafa regained his starting place by replacing Ryan Camenzuli, after returning from suspension, while Matheus Bissi replaced Vukanac at the back. Ryan Scicluna replaced Rowen Muscat.
The First Half
With little surprise, it was Birkirkara who went out the strongest side, and they lost no time in taking the edge over their opponents.
With the match just three minutes old, the Stripes should have surged ahead when Gareth Sciberras sent Ryan Scicluna through, but all alone against the Vittoriosa goalkeeper, Mario Muscat, he failed to conclude in time, and his strike was blocked and turned into a corner by the goalkeeper.
However, the Maltese Champions still managed to break the dead-lock in their next scoring opportunity, on the twelfth minute. Frank Temile delivered a free-kick on the far post, with Zach Muscat heading the ball in direction of Alejandro Mendoza, who had his diving header from close range, hitting past Muscat.
The Stripes continued to enjoy large swaths of possession, with Vittoriosa opting to remain cautious in the box, in order not to leave much space for the Birkirkara forward trio.
On the sixteenth minute, Matheus Bissi played an excellent long ball in direction of Jhonnattann Benites, but the Brazilian mishot his first touch, with the ball being parried by goalkeeper Muscat.
Birkirkara continued on the attack, and ten minutes later, Frank Temile delivered a first-post cross which saw Ryan Scicluna having his scoring attempt ending wide.
Close to the hour mark, the Stripes should have doubled the lead. Jhonnattann Benites brilliantly served Nigerian Shola Shodiya who managed to beat the offside trap, but all alone against Muscat, he saw his central shot blocked by the same Muscat.
Despite the golden opportunity lost, Birkirkara remained in control and they doubled the lead ten minutes from half-time. Shola Shodiya served Gareth Sciberras, who passed to Jhonnattann Benites and his shot hit the base of the left post. The loose ball rolled in the path of Shola Shodiya who hit home from close range with a powerful strike.
The Stripes continued to easily control their comfortable advantage, and the half-time whistle found the Maltese Champions enjoying a well-deserved two goal lead, thanks to the superiority showed for most of the first forty-five minutes.
The Second Half
The Stripes continued where they left off in the first half. Close to the hour mark, they scored the third goal. Following a cross from the right, Jhonnattann Benites passed to Shola Shodiya, who fired a thunderous first-timer, which left Muscat staring as the ball hit home.
Birkirkara's only signing during the January's Transfer Market, Ronalie Calheira made his debut, when in the first substitution for Birkirkara, he replaced Jhonnattann Benites on the hour mark.
Three goals by Birkirkara was not enough to kill the resilient spirit of Vittoriosa, and they hit one back on the sixty-second minute. Marcelo Pereira went past the Birkirkara defenders and his strike his past goalkeeper Justin Haber.
Matheus Bissi was unable to continue playing on the sixty-third minute and in Birkirkara's second substitution, Daniel Zerafa took his place. Zach Muscat moved to the central back position, and Ryan Scicluna was deployed to a right-back position.
Ronaille Calheira was unlucky not to make his debut special, by putting his name on the score sheet. On the seventy-fifth minute he was served by Paul Fenech, and he had an excellent in-swinging shot scratching past Muscat's far post.
The Maltese Champions continued to dictate matters and five minutes from time, they created another brilliant chance. Temile brought Ronaille Calheira into play, and he had a powerful drive from inside the box blocked by Muscat. Off the rebound, Paul Fenech saw his acrobatic strike ending over from close range.
In Birkirkara's third substitution on the eightieth minute, Under-19's team players Antoine Borg, replaced Gareth Sciberras.
Antoine Borg had a brilliant start as he was quickly involved in the action by having a brilliant run, following Temile's inviting pass, but the Vittoriosa goalkeeper Mario Muscat rushed out to neutralise the danger.
On the stroke of the ninetieth minute, Frank Temile found himself all alone against goalkeeper Muscat, but his low drive was turned into a corner kick.
However, Temile made up for opportunity lost as the Nigerian sealed the issue for the Stripes by the fourth goal, two minutes into the added time. In a devastating break-away, Ronalie Calheira served Frank Temile who drifted inside the box and his low strike beat Mario Muscat.
Referee Philip Farrugia's full time whistle found the Maltese Champions completing their second round commitments on a brilliant note. They will now start the Championship Pool phase against Balzan FC with one point over the nearest rivals, Valletta FC.
BIRKIRKARA: Justin Haber, Paul Fenech, Alejando Mendoza, Matheus Bissi (64′ Daniel Zerafa), Frank Temile, Gareth Sciberras (89′ Antoine Borg), Ryan Scicluna, Joseph Zerafa, Shola Shodiya, Zach Muscat, Jhonnattann Benites (62′ Ronaille Calheira).
VITTORIOSA: Mario Muscat, Clive Brincat, Samir Arab (55′ Luke Vella Critien), Michael Camilleri, Ousmane Sidibe, Malcolm Buttigieg, Oscar Guerrero, Federico Santaguida (70′ David Mitogo Garcia), Marcelo Pereira, Francisco Arriagada Mella (85′ Carl Sammut), Clive Spiteri.
Referee: Philip Farrugia.
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Sammy Attard.
Fourth Official: Marco Borg.
Yellow Cards: Ryan Scicluna (Birkirkara), Francisco Arriagada Mella, Clive Brincat, Malcolm Buttigieg (Vittoriosa)
Scorers: 12' Alejandro Mendoza, 35' Shola Shodiya, 68' Shola Shodiya, 90' Frank Temile (Birkirkara), 63' Marcelo Pereira (Vittoriosa).
BOV Player of the Match: Shola Shodiya (Birkirkara).
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