Birkirkara open Premier League with a win

by Ayrton Galea - 20th August 2011

Birkirkara opened the new Premier League in a positive way, when yesterday evening they defeated Qormi with a score of 2-0.

If anybody thought that Birkirkara will have it easy going in this first match, they were definitely proved wrong. Qormi had a good game and they were even having a slight edge over Birkirkara during the middle of the second half when they gave their all to find an equaliser.

For Birkirkara, Goalkeeper Jorge Mora, Brazilian defender Rodrigo Pereira, International midfielder Gareth Sciberras, former Vittoriosa Stars' winger Leighton Grech and the Spanish striker Moises Avila Perez were making their debut.

These new signings all had a positive debut in the Premier League, as Birkirkara registered the first clean sheet of the season which is defiantly a positive start for Mora and Pereira,. Gareth Sciberras was one of the best, if not the best midfielder of the match. Leighton Grech was also in good form as thanks to his runs, Qormi's defence was always under pressure when Leighton had possession. Moises Avila Perez continued to show his class. This time he scored a fine goal to open the score and put Birkirkara in the lead.

Head Coach Patrick Curmi adopted a 4-2-3-1 formation as Jorge Mora was chosen to defend the posts, Rodrigo Pereira and Joseph Zerafa formed the central backs while Angus Buhagiar and Andrew Decesare patrolled the side backs. Gareth Sciberras and Rowen Muscat started as defensive midfielders. Alan Tabone was in the role of central midfielders while Leighton Grech and Trevor Cilia on the wings. Moises Avila Perez was the only striker for Birkirkara.

As reported earlier by this website Shaun Bajada and Paul Fenech were ruled out injured. However the latter was called up with the 18 men, but he was not utilised.

Qormi opened well and after just two minutes they had their first attempt on target when Matthew Bartolo tried his luck with a low shot which was turned into a corner kick thanks to a great save by Jorge Mora.

Qormi continued to have the slight edge over Birkirkara thanks to their Brazilian striker Jorge Da Silva Pereira who was always putting the Birkirkara defence under pressure with his fine runs and great technique but it was Birkirkara who took the lead on the 13th minute.

Captain Rowen Muscat served Moises Avila Perez who gave no chance to Matthew Farrugia, with a fine rising shot to put Birkirkara in the lead.

After this goal Birkirkara started to settle and playing more enjoyable football and just five minutes after this first goal, 'The Stripes' almost double their lead when Trevor Cilia served Alan Tabone who tries his long distance powerful first-timer shot which was turned into a corner kick in style by Matthew Farrugia.

Birkirkara continued to be the best team in the pitch and they had another good opportunity to make it two when a in a fast break away by Birkirkara, Rodrigo Pereira sent a perfect through ball to Trevor Cilia, who advanced into the box but his low shot ended wide by mere centimetres.

Qormi's reply arrived four minutes from the end of the first half when after they were awarded a freekick outside the area, Joseph Farrugia hit wide from a low shot.

The first half ended with Birkirkara having a 1-0 lead.

The second half saw Qormi pressing hard to score the equalizing goal. And they could have if they took their golden chance when Matthew Bartolo was in a one versus one situation with Mora. The game would have definitely changed around and Qormi might have left with a point, and possibly even three, instead of nothing.

It was on the 56th minute when Qormi could have equalised. Jorge Da Silva Pereira was served, but he was in an offside position, so he left the ball for Matthew Bartolo, who advanced with the ball, entered the area but his shot ended wide to squander a golden opportunity.

Trevor Cilia was served well on the right, advanced into the box and his shot hit the other side of the net to end up in a goal kick.

Qormi continued to search for the equalizing goal, and Joseph Farrugia tried his luck on the 65th minute which ended wide.

Birkirkara could have closed the game on the 79th minute when Moises Avila Perez was served well and in a one on one he saw Matthew Farrugia blocking his attempt and being turned into a corner kick.

On the 86th minute, it was game over for Qormi when Moises Avila Perez rounded two players and entered the box to finish his run, but he was floored inside the area by Christos Karamanolis. Referee Kevin Azzopardi had no other option than to point to the penalty spot. From the eleven meters, Trevor Cilia made no mistake, and doubled the score.

Qormi could have pulled one back on the 89th minute but Roderick Sammut's effort from outside the box scraped past the post.

The full time whistle found Birkirkara register their first win thanks to this 2-0 victory against Qormi.

Line up: Jorge Mora, Angus Buhagiar, Rodrigo Pereira, Joseph Zerafa, Andrew Decesare, Rowen Muscat, Gareth Sciberras, Leighton Grech (81' Ryan Camenzuli), Alan Tabone (73' Terence Vella), Trevor Cilia, Moises Avila Perez (90' Ryan Scicluna)

Substitutions not used: Karl Magri, Paul Fenech, Michael Camilleri

Scorers: Moises Avila Perez - 13', Trevor Cilia - 86'

Cautions: Rodrigo Pereira, Joseph Zerafa

Man of the match: Trevor Cilia

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