Under-17's Team condemned by late goal

by Ayrton Galea - 27th October 2014

A goal three minutes from time condemned Birkirkara FC's Under-17's Team to their first defeat in group 4 of the group phase, when on Sunday afternoon they lost to Hamrun Spartans FC with a result of 1-0.

After beating Rabat Ajax FC with a 2-0 score in the first match, the Stripes played another good match, which however was not enough to take anything from the match as they paid the sourest price three minutes from time when Hamrun scored the winning goal.

The Stripes were a heavily depleted side, with no less than five players being sidelined. Max Borg was suspended, and a series of injuries, including a broken leg of goalkeeper Emanuel Galea, continued to limit the selection. However, all the players on the field gave their best, with goalkeeper Fabian Aquilina rising to the occasion.

The First Half

Birkirkara started the match brightly and they threatened first on the sixth minute. Neil Micallef tried his luck with a shot from outside the box, but the creative midfielder saw his shot ending wide.

Following a tug-of-war for possession in midfield, the Stripes stated to enjoy an edge over their opponents. They went close to surge ahead on the twenty-second minute, when Nigel Borg saw his effort cleared off the line by a defender.

Despite struggling to penetrate, the Stripes were showing the best ideas in the attacking side and four minutes from half-time, they went once again close to breaking the dead-lock. Nigel Borg's cross found Gianluca Zammit who saw his effort hit the post, after it was slightly deflected by the Hamrun goalkeeper.

The first half found both teams heading to their dressing rooms with a goal-less draw.

The Second Half

Following a slow start to the second half, where both teams failed to produce any scoring opportunities, the Birkirkara Coach, Mr. Precious Monye made the first substitution on the sixty-second minute when Nigel Borg was replaced by Isaac Cirana.

However, it was Hamrun who created the first scoring opportunity twenty-five minutes inside the second half when in a swift counter-attack, a Hamrun player raced forward but his strike ended wide following a good run down the right side.

The speed on the counter proved to be crucial for Hamrun in their next scoring opportunity when three minutes from time they surged ahead. Birkirkara lost possession in a crucial area only for Hamrun to produce a fast transition concluded perfectly past the Birkirkara goalkeeper.

In a strange event of events, the referee ordered a water break in the last minute of the match, before going into added time.

With little time remaining, Birkirkara put everything forward, and twice they went close to level matters. After two minutes of added time, Roberto Curmi, had a shot ending over the bar and just before the final whistle, the same player had a header from a corner kick ending wide.

Birkirkara, who are with a three-point mark from two matches, will be involved in the third and last match of the group phase next Sunday against Floriana in a crucial match.

BIRKIRKARA: Fabien Aquilina, Fabien Lufi, Nigel Bugeja, Jacob Magri, Zach Cassar, Roberto Curmi, Nigel Borg (62' Isaac Cirana), Shaun Xuereb, Gianluca Zammit, Ryan Muscat, Neil Micallef.

Yellow Cards: Fabien Lufi, Roberto Curmi.

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