Stripes knocked out from U*BET FA Trophy

by Ayrton Galea - 17th February 2014

Birkirkara FC had their U*BET FA Trophy aspirations trashed for the second year running by Qormi, as the latter made an excellent comeback to defeat the Champions with a 3-1 score.

Pre-match predictions had the Stripes as favourites to cruise to the Semi-Finals by overcoming the modest side of Qormi. However, Qormi gave another major surprise by eliminating Birkirkara for the second consecutive year in this competition.

With Birkirkara one goal up and Qormi forced to make two substitutions inside the first thirty minutes, the Stripes were set for another dominating display. Yet, the Yellow-Blacks showed great resilience and made a comeback to make it to the last four of the competition.

Paul Fenech put the Stripes ahead after just seventeen minutes, but an own goal and a goalkeeping blunder late in the first half gifted Qormi the lead. In the second half the Stripes tried hard, but they lacked ideas and inspiration, only for Qormi to add their third goal in a lethal counter-attack.

With the worst performance of the season, the Stripes were far from their best, and nothing seemed to go their way. However, bad luck was not the only factor for the Stripes, who not only lacked ideas and inspiration but, were also erratic in their passes.

Birkirkara's Head Coach kept faith in the 4-3-3 formation and Birkirkara were boosted by the return of Edward Herrera and Nikola Vukanac. Edward Herrera replaced Zach Muscat and he was given the right-back position, while Nikola Vukanac regained his central-back position with Alejandro Mendoza.

The First Half

The match was just three minutes old when it turned into an uphill struggle for the Yellow-Blacks. Owen Bugeja suffered an injury and was unable to continue playing and Emerson Vella took his place.

The Stripes struggled to settle inside the opening minutes but they still were the first to threaten. On the fifth minute, Frank Temile served an intelligent pass to Jhonnattann Benites, who had a low shot from a diagonal angle saved by goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia.

Birkirkara continued to press forward and Benites was in action once again, as after being served by Ryan Scicluna, the Brazilian forward had a fine in-swinging shot sailing wide off the far post.

Yet, Qormi did not thrown in the towel, and just past the fifteenth minute, they produced their best scoring opportunity. Alfred Effiong dribbled his marker but his low shot was parried by goalkeeper Justin Haber.

When Qormi seemed to gain some momentum, the Stripes were quick to dampen their hopes as they surged ahead on the seventeenth minute. In possession after being served by Shola Shodiya, Paul Fenech dribbled his marker and his fierce volley hit hard past goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia.

The Stripes could have scored a second goal a few moments later. Herrera advanced unimpeded on the left, before sending in a cross towards the near post, but Haruna headed wide.

Birkirkara had been earned their lead but on the half-hour mark, Caruana's free-kick soared into the centre of the box and Mendoza inadvertently headed the ball past Haber in a bid to anticipate Effiong.

Undeterred, Birkirkara produced an instant reaction with Haruna embarking on one of his trademark runs, running past Emerson Vella, only to see his low drive hitting the base of the post after 37 minutes.

Qormi were then dealt another setback when goalkeeper Farrugia suffered what looked like a serious injury as he was stretchered into the waiting ambulance and taken to hospital.

Against all odds, Qormi continued to look dangerous but Zeman's troops would not have expected to be handed the lead by their opponents. With the match heading into an odds even score at the break, two minutes into stoppage time, Haber came out of his area to try and cut out Effiong's pass from the halfway line, but he missed the ball, allowing Grech a clear shot at goal and the winger rolled the ball over the line.

Surprisingly, the first half found Birkirkara chasing Qormi with a 2-1 score.

The Second Half

Birkirkara tried to come out aggressive in the second half, but Qormi continued to control their opponents. The Stripes rarely had a shot on goal with only Paul Fenech trying a volley from half of the pitch after an erratic drop kick by goalkeeper Steve Sultana.

Close to the hour mark, Mr. Paul Zammit made his first substitution as he put on Ryan Camenzuli for Ryan Scicluna and switched to a three-man defence.

If this move was aimed at boosting Birkirkara's impetus, this was not forthcoming as Qormi continued controlling their opponents.

Past the hour mark, Gabriel and Grech combined to produce an excellent move on the left. The Brazilian advanced before releasing Grech, who had time to assess his options, before sending his drive wide of the near post.

Seven minutes later, Haruna unleashed a powerful shot, but the Nigerian was thwarted by a fine tipping save from Steve Sultana, who had replaced Farrugia.

The game continued to ebb and flow. Quintieri served Effiong on the left but the striker curled wide after racing past Haber.

As the minutes ticked away, Birkirkara's hopes started to fizzle out. Three minutes from time, Camenzuli met Herrera's corner but was denied by Jonathan Bondin who put his body in the way of the midfielder's shot.

Two minutes later, substitute Ronaille's shot on the turn looked to have crossed the line before Sultana saved in two attempts but the goal was not validated.

From Sultana's ensuing kick, Effiong drove past Gareth Sciberras and Haber but the backtracking Mendoza managed to intercept his shot. Cantoro was on the right spot to stab the ball home as Qormi sealed their place in the semi-finals of the FA Trophy where they will face Sliema Wanderers.

BIRKIRKARA: Justin Haber, Joseph Zerafa, Alejandro Mendoza, Nikola Vukanac, Frank Temile (75′ Ronaille Calheira Seara), Gareth Sciberras, Ryan Scicluna (58′ Ryan Camenzuli), Paul Fenech, Haruna Shola Shodiya, Edward Herrera, Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao (79′ Terence Vella).

QORMI: Matthew Farrugia (43′ Steve Sultana), Owen Bugeja (3′ Emerson Vella), Giorgio Gianola, Joanthan Bondin, Duncan Pisani, Raffaele Simone Quintieri (73′ Roderick Bajada), Triston Caruana, Joao Gabriel da Silva, Lucas Maximilian Cantoro, Alfred Effiong, Leighton Grech.

Referee: Ville Nevalainen.

Assistant Referees: Ville Kuskiniemi, Mika Lamppu.

Fourth Official: Marko Gronholm.

Yellow Cards: Frank Temile, Ryan Scicluna, Shola Shodiya, Edward Herrera (Birkirkara), Emerson Vella, Simone Quintieri (Qormi).

Scorers: 17′ Paul Fenech (Birkirkara) 31′ own goal Alejandro Mendoza, 45+2′ Leighton Grech;, 90′ Lucas Cantoro (Qormi).

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