Birkirkara defeated by Hibernians in friendly

by Ayrton Galea - 2nd August 2014

One goal in the first half and another two goals in the second forty-five minutes condemned Birkirkara to a 3-0 defeat against Hibernians in a friendly match played yesterday evening at the Sirens Stadium.

The final score is too harsh with the Stripes, especially for their efforts in the second half. In the first half, Birkirkara controlled their opponents quite well but Hibernians surged ahead just past the half-hour mark thanks to a penalty. In the second half, they were quick to double the lead before scoring the third goal in the final fifteen minutes.

Mr. Paul Zammit started with a 3-5-2 formation. Ini Akpan defended the posts while Matheus Bissi, Nikola Vukanac and Alejandro Mendoza formed the three-line defence. Ryan Scicluna and Edmond Agius were the central midfielders, supported by wing-backs Edward Herrera on the right and Ryan Camenzuli on the left. Rafael Ledesma was fielded in his usual position, roaming behind the two strikers Eliandro Gonzaga and Brazilian striker on trial, Ellinton Morais.

For Eliandro, this was his first match following signing the contract. The Brazilian striker has now recovered from injury and will be available for selection for next Friday's match. On the other hand, Morais is currently having a trial with our Club.

The First Half

Birkirkara opened well, and they had their first scoring opportunity after four minutes. Matheus Bissi surged forward and served Morais who played in the direction of Ledesma, but his low strike was parried by Hibernians' goalkeeper, Henry Bonello. Hibernians replied five minutes later with their first scoring opportunity but the effort ended wide.

Former Birkirkara player, Johann Bezzina tried his luck with a powerful shot from outside the box which ended wide on the eighteenth minute. Four minutes later, the Paolites threatened again but Akpan managed to turn the effort into a corner kick following a diagonal shot from close-range.

Birkirkara went close to surged ahead on the half-hour when Rafael Ledesma served Edmond Agius from outside the box but his first-time strike ending wide by inches.

However, it was Hibernians who surged ahead on the thirty-third minute. Marcelo Dias raced forward and he was brought down inside the box with the referee ordering the penalty-kick. From the eleven metre spot, Clayton Failla made no mistake to put Hibernians in the lead.

Birkirkara reacted, and began to push forward. Ten minutes from half-time, Ryan Camenzuli had a powerful strike from a diagonal position parried by the substitute Hibernians goalkeeper, Mario Muscat.

The Stripes continued to increase their efforts, but the referee's half-time whistle found Birkirkara chasing the game as Hibernians were leading by one.

The Second Half

Five minutes inside the second forty-five minutes, Hibernians had a shot ending over Akpan's bar.

The Paolites continued to be the better side, and they increased the lead on the fifty-fifth minute thanks to a powerful header that beat Ini Akpan following an excellent cross from the right. The Birkirkara goalkeeper was injured during the same action and Justin Tonna took his place in defending the Birkirkara's posts.

On the hour-mark, Mr. Paul Zammit made another two substitutions as Eliandro Gonzaga and Paul Fenech were replaced by the promising striker Kurt Zammit and Paul Fenech.

Birkirkara should have pulled one back four minutes past the hour mark. In a well-built action, involving first-touch passing, Kurt Zammit served Edward Herrera who raced inside the box but his shot from inside the box sallied over the bar.

A minute later, Edward Herrera was replaced by Leighton Grech in Birkirkara's fourth substitution.

Hibernians had a good chance to make them three, when in a fast break-away, they caught Birkirkara's defence on the wrong foot, but Under-19's Team goalkeeper Justin Tonna made an excellent save following a powerful shot from inside the box.

Mr. Paul Zammit effected his fifth change on the seventieth minute, when Matheus Bissi was replaced by another promising youngster, Antoine Borg.

Birkirkara produced another fine scoring opportunity twenty minutes from time, concluded by a fine volley by Ryan Scicluna but goalkeeper Henry Bonello managed to neutralise well.

In Birkirkara's last two changes, Under-19's Team duo Andrea Curmi and Russell Gatt De Raffaele replaced Rafael Ledesma and Ryan Scicluna.

Hibernians sealed the issue with the third goal fifteen minutes from time when off another cross from the right, a fine strike from inside the box beat goalkeeper Justin Tonna.

Birkirkara FC: Ini Akpan (55' Justin Tonna), Matheus Bissi (70' Antoine Borg), Alejandro Mendoza, Nikola Vukanac, Edward Herrera (65' Leighton Grech), Ryan Scicluna (74' Russell Gatt De Raffaele), Edmond Agius, Ryan Camenzuli, Rafael Ledesma (74' Andrea Curmi), Eliandro Gonzaga (60' Kurt Zammit), Ellinton Morais.

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