FA Trophy - Mosta FC 1-2 Birkirkara FC
by Ayrton Galea - 25th January 2020
Birkirkara FC secured their place in the last-eight of the FA Trophy as a brace by Caio Rocha enabled them to defeat Mosta FC with a 2-1 score in a hard-fought match played at the Centenary Stadium on Friday evening.
The rapid-winger scored two goals inside the first seven minutes of the second half to put the Stripes in the driving seat. However, Mosta pulled one back and piled-up the pressure but the Stripes held strong to make it through the next round.
Coach Andre Paus made two changes from the last match. Oscar Matias Carniello was back in the fray after missing the last match and he replaced Ryan Fenech, while in the other change, Caio Rocha replaced Yannick Yankam.
The First Half
Birkirkara created their first scoring chance after fourteen minutes. Roderick Briffa served Federico Falcone on the right but the latter blasted his powerful shot wide from a good position.
The Stripes went close to open the score on the twentieth minute. Enrico Pepe profited from a short clearance, but his effort was deflected to another corner as they remained in control.
Mosta had their first attempt on goal five minutes later. Weverton Gomes served Matias Muchardi outside the box and the latter's first-time shot failed to hit the target.
Birkirkara threatened again on the half-hour mark when Matthew Guillaumier hit a fine strike from outside the box that forced goalkeeper Nicholas Vella to save his shot in two attempts.
Eight minutes from half-time, Birkirkara had another good chance when Ntow's low cross found the unmarked Johann Bezzina who took a touch forward but was anticipated by the onrushing Mosta goalkeeper.
The Second Half
Coach Andre Paus' half-time team-talk seemed to leave the desired impact on his players to step-up their level and make their chances count as the Stripes opened the score just ninety seconds inside the second half.
Midfielder Matthew Guillaumier showed great vision to unzip the defence with an excellent through-ball towards Caio Rocha who outpaced his marker and rounded goalkeeper Vella before slotting the ball home.
Rocha's electrifying start in the second half was tormenting the Mosta defence and the Brazilian player grabbed his second goal five minutes later. The rapid-winger made an excellent run before hitting a wonderful low strike past Vella.
Mosta look rattled but they were handed a lifeline on the sixty-second minute when Rocha floored substitute Zachary Brincat inside the box and the Referee Darryl Agius pointed to the spot and ordered the penalty.
The same Mosta player saw his shot blocked by goalkeeper Andrew Hogg from the spot, but from the rebound, Brincat was first on the ball and slotted the ball home to put Mosta back in contention.
Mosta could have made the score level few moments ago when Takanori Yokochi's cross was met by Christian Eric Chaney, but his header from just yards out was deflected over the bar.
Birkirkara pushed to regain their two-goal lead as Guillaumier fired a curling strike that ended just over the bar and Attard's shot from inside the box blasted wide as they held strong to make it to the last eight of the FA Trophy.
MOSTA: Nicholas Vella, Pedro Luiz Soares Gusso, Gabriel Aquilina, Takanori Yokochi, Weverton Gomes (48' Zachary Brincat), Duane Bonnici (76' Kyle Gatt), Rafael Morisco, Ebrima Sohna, Christian Eric Chaney, Tyrone Farrugia, Matias Muchardi.
BIRKIRKARA: Andrew Hogg, Enrico Pepe, Matthew Guillaumier, Johann Bezzina (74' Yannick Yankam), Kurt Zammit, Roderick Briffa, Federico Falcone, Cain Attard, Caio Rocha, Oscar Matias Carniello, Isaac Ntow.
Referee: Darryl Agius.
Assistant Referees: Duncan Sultana, Darko Stankovic.
Fourth Official: Trustin Farrugia Cann.
Yellow Cards: 24' Ebrima Sohna (Mosta), 41' Roderick Briffa, 50' Kurt Zammit (Birkirkara).
Scorers: 47', 52' Caio Rocha (Birkirkara), 62' Zachary Brincat (Mosta).
comments powered by Disqus
