Birkirkara remain on top

by Ayrton Galea - 25th March 2014

Birkirkara FC remained in the driving seat of the Premier League when in the much awaited top of the table clash against Valletta FC, the match ended in a goal-less draw. This leaves the Stripes two points clear on top of the BOV Premier League.

The Stripes delivered a bold statement that they are still the main contenders for winning the Championship, and for long stretches they outclassed the challenge of Valletta, despite the match ending in a goalless draw.

It was an encounter lacking from scoring opportunities, with the match turning into a tug-of-war for possession in the midfield department. The Stripes were far better in the first half, with Valletta improving in the second forty-five minutes despite rarely troubling Birkirkara's solid defence.

As referee Alan Mario Sant blew the final whistle, it was the Birkirkara supporters who were happier with the outcome, as they applauded their players. They certainly earned right to be optimistic, as despite the title race is still wide open, their beloved players' performance gave high hopes of winning back to back titles.

Pre-match expectations for the biggest attendance of this season proved correct, as over 5,550 headed to the National Stadium to see the clash of the heavyweights. This match reminded that the Maltese football can still capture the enthusiasm of the fans as well as the neutrals.

The suspension of Ryan Scicluna forced the only change in Paul Zammit's line-up. The Birkirkara midfielder was replaced by Frank Temile. Temile, who formed part of Birkirkara's forward line alongside Shola Shodiya and Jhonnattann Benites.

The First Half

There was little to separate both sides in the opening minutes of the match, but Valletta threatened first with a shot by Alan Da Silva Souza, which was easily parried by goalkeeper Justin Haber. The Birkirkara goalkeeper then stopped Da Silva's cross.

Valletta's slight edge in the opening minutes did not last long, as Birkirkara were quick to show their intentions for the match. The dazzling runs by the Birkirkara forwards were questioning Valletta's defenders ability to handle the Stripes', with the Citizens left with no option but to commit fouls to restrain them.

Birkirkara had a penalty-shout turned down on the eighteen minutes when Irakli Maisuradze handled the ball in the box, but referee Alan Mario Sant adjudicated that the Valletta player was outside the box. From the resulting free-kick, Jhonnattann Benites had a curling strike blocked by the Valletta goalkeeper Rvishvili before defender Steve Borg desperately cleared into safety.

The Stripes continued to show the best ideas and just two minutes later, Joseph Zerafa raced on the left wing before sending a cross in the path of Frank Temile with the Nigerian's header ending wide off the far post.

Birkirkara had another legitimate claim for a penalty turned down. Shola Shodiya stole possession of Steve Borg with the latter pushing him inside the box, when he was about to conclude in front of the Valletta goalkeeper. However, much to the astonishment of the Birkirkara clan, referee Alan Mario Sant showed no interest in Birkirkara's protests.

The Stripes continued to show total superiority over their opponents, with much of the play down the flanks which brought clear to notice Birkirkara's speed in the forward line. The Birkirkara forward foreign-trio was causing Valletta countless headaches.

The Stripes went close on the thirty-third minute. Shola Shodiya surprised the Valletta goalkeeper with a first post cross-shot, which brought the best of the keeper, when he pushed the effort into a corner kick. Shodiya went close once again just a few moments later when he connected wide off an ideal cross by Zach Muscat.

Referee Alan Mario Sant's half-time whistle found Birkirkara heading to their dressing room with morale sky high, after an excellent forty-five minutes, despite the score still being goalless.

The Second Half

Birkirkara threatened first in the second half when Joseph Zerafa sent a fine cross which Nikola Vukanac rose high but hit over the bar. The Stripes continued to dictate matters but they struggled to test the Valletta goalkeeper.

On the stroke of the hour, Valletta created their most dangerous scoring opportunity till then, when Shaun Bajada had a low freekick saved by Justin Haber.

The inclusion of Mifsud Triganza and Barry gave fresh ideas to the Citizens. Valletta forward, Mifsud Triganza had a fine volley ending over shortly after.

There were no notable actions mid-way of the second-half, as the level of intensity dropped and the match continued to be a tug-of-war for possession in the midfield.

Birkirkara replied with another dangerous strike. Jhonnattann Benites had a dangerous curling free-kick surprising the Valletta goalkeeper but his strike ended over the bar by inches. Joseph Zerafa's strike was deflected into a corner kick. From the left-wing corner-kick, Jhonnattann's dangerous delivery was warded off by Valletta goalkeeper Revishvili.

With ten minutes to go, Mr. Paul Zammit, the Birkirkara Head Coach pushed for goal, with the inclusion of Ryan Camenzuli who replaced Frank Temile. The inclusion of Camenzuli was a tactical adjustment as the Stripes sought to regain an edge.

However, little changed in the script of the match, as both teams were now settling for the stalemate. As the match stepped up rhythm in the final five minutes, the Birkirkara Head Coach made two substitutions. On the eighty-sixth minute, Ronaille Calheira replaced the tireless Shola Shodiya, while four minutes later, youngster Kurt Zammit replaced Jhonnattann Benites.

Birkirkara survived a late scare deep into stoppage time. Edmond Agius did well to get past Alejandro Mendoza. The Valletta midfielder picked Da Silva Souza's inviting pass, but Mendoza did a brilliant job to recover and deflect the strike into a corner kick.

With the Valletta supporters heading to the exit gates demoralized by Birkirkara's excellent performance, the Birkirkara's faithful remained in their stands. When Referee Alan Mario Sant blew the final whistle, they applaud their players following a bold display which boosted their title hopes.

BIRKIRKARA: Justin Haber, Zach Muscat, Nikola Vukanac, Alejandro Mendoza, Joseph Zerafa, Gareth Sciberras, Paul Fenech, Shola Shodiya (85' Ronaille Calheira), Edward Herrera, Jhonnattann Benites (90' Kurt Zammit), Frank Temile (81' Ryan Camenzuli).

VALLETTA: Nukri Revishvili, Jonathan Caruana, Steve Borg, Edmond Agius, Ryan Fenech (57' Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza), Roderick Briffa, Oscar Reyes Sanchez, Lateef Elford Alliyu (57' Hamza Barry), Alan da Silva Souza, Shaun Bajada, Irakli Maisuradze.

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.

Assistant Referees: Mitchell Scerri, Duncan Sultana.

Additional Assistant Referees: Fyodor Zammit, Philip Farrugia.

Fourth Official: Mario Apap.

Yellow Cards: Edward Herrera (Birkirkara), Alan Da Silva Souza, Edmond Agius (Valletta).

BOV Player of the Match: Shola Shodiya.

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