Birkirkara finish Second Round in fourth place

by Ayrton Galea - 12th February 2011

For the second consecutive match, and the fourth one in the last six matches, Birkirkara failed to win the three points when in a boring match Birkirkara were held in a goal-less draw by Tarxien Rainbows.

It was a game that never reached any level. Once again, Birkirkara disappointed and lack of determination and concentration resulted in a match where goal opportunities were very few. However, if there was a team that deserved to win, it was Birkirkara.

Ibrahim Babatunde was making his first appearance with the shirt of 'The Stripes' and his debut might be considered as acceptable. Rodolfo Kumbrevicius and the Serbian defender Nikola Vukanac began the match on the substitutes' bench. Trevor Cilia was ruled out due to injury.

Both teams shared possesion for long stretches and the first goal scoring opportunity was for Birkirkara on the 15th minute when a direct free kick by Shaun Bajada was saved by David Cassar.

Tarxien replied moments later with a direct freekick and Michael Fraser tipped the ball into a corner kick.

Birkirkara suffered a drawback as Angus Buhagiar suffered an injury on the 23rd minute and had to be stretchered out. Nikola Vukanac took his place on the field. First reports indicate that Angus injured his ankle but more detailed results are expected in the coming days.

On the 36th minute Birkirkara almost broke the deadlock when an excellent cross by Paul Fenech found Shaun Bajada whose close-range shot somehow was blocked by David Cassar.

In the second half Birkirkara were the best team on the pitch but they failed to turn their few chances into goals.

On the 57th minute, Shaun Bajada rounded two players before his low shot ended wide.

Once again, Birkirkara almost took the lead on the 68th minute when a shot by Nikola Vukanac was blocked by Luke Vella Critien. From the resulting rebound a shot by Ibrahim Babatunde was cleared off the goal line by the same Vella Critien.

Mr. Paul Zammit was not satisfied enough with his forward line and made two changes. First Karl Pulo replaced Ibrahim Babatunde in the 78th minute and then in the dying minutes Rodolfo Kumbrevicius replaced Shaun Bajada in aim to take the lead, but this failed as the final whistle saw Birkirkara losing another two important points.

Emiliano Lattes was once again voted as BOV Player of the Match.

Since the second round is now complete, the points are halved and Birkirkara are with fourteen points like Floriana. However Floriana have a better goal average so they start the Championship Pool in the third place, followed by Birkirkara in the fourth place. The first match for Birkirkara in the Championship Pool will be against Tarxien who are in the second place. Details for this fixture are yet to be announced.

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