Birkirkara continue to drop precious points

by Ayrton Galea - 25th September 2011

Birkirkara continued to lose precious points, when yesterday Sliema Wanderers beat Birkirkara with a solitary goal. Birkirkara have now gone three matches without a win.

One must say that Birkirkara's performance improved a lot from the last two outings, and it was one of the best, if not the best performance so far, however it still ended in a defeat.

Mr. Patrick Curmi made two changes from the last game against Mqabba, as Rowen Muscat replaced Ryan Scicluna and debutant Shola Haruna Shodyia replaced Leighton Grech. One must mention the fine performance by Shola who was definitely the best player on the pitch for Birkirkara. Rowen Muscat also had a good performance especially when one considers that he was playing as a central back defender instead of his usual midfielder role.

For this match, Birkirkara started with a 4-4-2 formation as Jorge Mora was defending the posts, Angus Buhagiar and Andrew Decesare patrolled the side backs while Rowen Muscat and Rodrigo Pereira were the central backs. The midfield was composed of Gareth Sciberras and Captain Paul Fenech as central midfielders while Joseph Zerafa and Trevor Cilia began as side midfielders. Shola Haruna Shodyia and Moises Avila Perez took on the role of strikers.

On the 25th minute of the match, there was a controversy about what seemed to be the opening goal by Shola. After the players' celebration and while they were heading to the middle of the field to restart the match, Mariano Debono adjudicated that Shola had been in an offside position and the goal was annulled. This led to a strong protest by all the Birkirkara players and supporters.

First Half

The first half was one of two stories. The first part saw Sliema having a slight edge over Birkirkara. But after the latter scored the goal which was disallowed for an offside position, Birkirkara settled and it was their turn to have a slight edge over their opponents.

1' Paul Fenech's weak shot ended wide.

4' Sliema were in an offside position.

5' Birkirkara fouled. From the following freekick, Mora turned into a corner.

7' A mistake by a Birkirkara defender whose short back pass seemed to be anticipated, but Mora made a fine save to neutralise the danger.

7' A Birkirkara player handled the ball and Sliema were given a freekick. From the freekick, the clearance was turned into a corner but the action ended when Sliema fouled and Birkirkara were given the freekick.

11' Birkirkara won a corner.

13' Sliema were caught in an offside position.

13' Sliema fouled.

15' Angus fouled.

17' Sliema fouled, and from the following freekick Rodrigo hit wide.

18' Sliema fouled.

19' Angus fouled.

21' Sliema won a corner.

23' Gareth fouled.

24' Sliema fouled.

25' A good solo run by Moises Avila Perez who advanced in the box, served Shola and beat Bonello. When the players were heading for the restart, Mariano Debono flagged for an offside position and the goal was disallowed.

27' Sliema fouled.

29' Sliema won a corner.

30' A good run by Paul Fenech who served Trevor Cilia but the latter's shot ended wide.

31' Sliema won a corner.

32' Sliema fouled.

34' Shola fouled.

36' Sliema were in an offside position.

37' Birkirkara won a corner.

41' Birkirkara fouled.

42' Sliema fouled.

43' Gareth fouled.

43' Sliema fouled

45' One minute of extra time was shown.

45 + 1' Sliema made the first substitution as Mark Scerri had to be replaced due to an injury. Glifford Gatt Baldacchino took his place.

Second half

Sliema opened this half well and in fact they managed to take the lead. However, after this goal Birkirkara went all out searching for the equalising goal which failed to arrive but definitely a draw would have been a just result.

45' Sliema utilised their second substitution as Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza had to be replaced due to an injury suffered in the last moments of the first half. He was replaced by Ryan Grech.

47' Birkirkara fouled.

50' Birkirkara won a corner.

53' A good run by Shola who rounded two players but the final shot ended over the bar.

54' Angus fouled and he was shown the yellow card.

55' Sliema scored the opening goal when Jeremieh Ani beats Mora with a perfect lob after he was well served from the right.

57' Rodrigo fouled.

58' Birkirkara almost scored the equalising goal when Birkirkara were awarded a freekick. Rodrigo Pereira took the kick to hit the crossbar with a well taken freekick and the ball ended in a goal kick.

62' Moises Avila Perez was in an offside position.

64' Sliema fouled.

65' Moises was in an offside position.

66' Mora fouled for dangerous play and was shown the yellow card. From the resulting freekick, it was turned into a corner following a good save by the Birkirkara goalkeeper.

68' Sliema almost scored their second goal from a freekick but the ball scrapped past the post with Mora beaten.

69' Sliema fouled.

71' Birkirkara won a corner after a cross by Trevor Cilia from the right was deflected.

72' Shola continued to be the most dangerous player for Birkirkara as he rounded a defender and his low powerful cross was parried by Henry Bonello.

73' Birkirkara were flagged for an offside position.

74' Following a good action on the right for Sliema, the final shot ended wide.

75' Birkirkara won a corner. The corner-kick was met with a header which ended wide.

77' Shola fouled.

79' Shola advanced on the left and his low cross was neutralised by Bonello.

80' Birkirkara fouled.

81' Sliema had an attempt on goal ending wide.

81' Birkirkara made the first substitution as Trevor Cilia was replaced by Leighton Grech.

87' Birkirkara fouled.

88' Alan Tabone fouled.

89' Birkirkara made their second substitution as Andrew Decesare was replaced by Terence Vella.

90' Four minutes of extra time were shown.

90 + 1' Sliema fouled.

90 + 1' Sliema fouled.

90 + 2' Birkirkara fouled.

90 + 3' Sliema fouled.

90 + 4' The referee blows the full time whistle.

With this defeat Birkirkara are now sixth with seven points from five matches, and from the last three matches they picked up just one point. Next week 'The Stripes' will face another tricky and difficulty challenge in the form Marsaxlokk who were also defeated in their last match.

Line Ups:

Birkirkara: Jorge Mora, Angus Buhagiar, Rowen Muscat, Rodrigo Pereira, Andrew Decesare, Trevor Cilia, Gareth Sciberras, Paul Fenech, Joseph Zerafa, Shola Haruna Shodyia, Moises Avila Perez.

Sliema Wanderers Henry Bonello, Alex Muscat (77' Beppe Grech), Josef Mifsud, Mark Scerri (45' Clifford Gatt Baldacchino), Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (45' Ryan Grech), Steve Bezzina, Jackson Lima Sequiera, Rumen Galabov, Jeremieh Ani, Roderick Bajada, Jorge Santos Silva.

Yellow Cards: Jorge Mora, Angus Buhagiar, Andrew Decesare, Paul Fenech (Birkirkara), Ryan Grech, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Jackson Lima Sequiera (Sliema)

Scorers: Jeremeh Ani 55'.

Man of the match: Jorge Santos Silva (Sliema).

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