Winning start for Birkirkara
by Ayrton Galea - 22nd July 2012
Birkirkara opened their AME Cup commitments on a fine note beating Sliema Wanderers with a 4-2 score, despite being down by two goals in the first half.
Both teams used this match to experiment with their squad. Birkirkara gave the opportunity to four trialists, Jusselio Da Silva, Jhonnattann Benites Da Conceicao, Zoran Vuckovic and Kevin Olivieira. The first two had a very good match with Jhonnattann registering a brace.
In the first minute, a shot by Jhonnattann Benites was blocked by goalkeeper Glenn Zammit.
On the 7th minute, a low shot by Joselito Dos Reis ended wide on the right side.
Against the run of the play, Sliema Wanderers took the lead on the 12th minute when a direct free-kick by Deigo Marcelo Omtega beat Gauci with a low shot.
Birkirkara were unlucky not to equalise when on the 14th minute a low powerful shot by Ryan Camenzuli hit the right post, travelled along the goal line, and somehow ended out.
Birkirkara paid a sour price for the missed opportunity, as Sliema Wanderers doubled the lead on the 16th minute. Reuben Gauci rushed out to stop an attack and he bumped into the attacker, and then Matthias Muchardi who was unmarked shot the ball into an empty post.
Birkirkara were awarded a penalty on the 17th minute when a Sliema defender handled the ball inside the box. From the eleven metres, Joselito Dos Reis made no mistake and pulled one back.
On the 19th minute, a free-kick by Ryan Scicluna met with an over head kick by Jhonnattann Benites which was saved by the goalkeeper.
Birkirkara equalised on the 24th minute when following a short corner by Joselito Dos Reis, Jhonnattann Benites's first time effort beat Zammit.
Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza had a fine effort deflected into a corner kick on the 27th minute. Moment later, a long distance shot by Scicluna ended over.
Following a patch when scoring opportunities were rare, on the 41st minute, Zoran Vuckovic served Ryan Scicluna whose shot ended over.
Joselito Dos Reis made a fine solo action on the 43rd minute, concluded with a low shot which was saved by goalkeeper Zammit.
The entertaining first half saw Birkirkara came from a two goal advantage and end the first half in a 2-2 draw.
A long distance shot by Ryan Camenzuli in the 48th minute was saved by the goalkeeper.
Birkirkara turned the match around when they took the lead on the 50th minute. Following a perfect pass by Jusselio Da Silva towards Jhonnattann Benites, the latter advanced with the ball and easily placed the ball behind the goalkeeper.
On the 55th minute Scicluna tried to lob over Zammit who was out from the posts, but his shot was saved by the goalkeeper.
In the first substitution for Birkirkara, Dutch trialist Kevin Olivieira replaced Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza on the 56th minute.
Birkirkara made them four on the 57th minute when Kevin Olivieira served Joselito Dos Reis who sent a perfect pass towards Rodrigo Pereira and alone against Zammit he had no difficulty to place the ball in the back of the net.
Sliema Wanderers made two substitutions on the 58th minute.
In the second substitution for Birkirkara on the 65th minute, Paul Fenech was replaced with Fabian Zammit.
Birkirkara made their third substitution when youngster Michael Camilleri replaced Joselito Dos Reis on the 74th minute.
Sliema Wanderers also made use of their third substitution on the 76th minute, when Johny Mifsud replaced Clifford Gatt Baldacchino.
In the fourth substitution for Birkirkara on the 80th minute, Ian Schembri replaced Zoran Vuckovic.
Reuben Gauci found no problem to save a weak header inside the area on the 81st minute.
Substitute Andrew Caligari had a fine shot ending wide on the 82nd minute.
In the fifth and sixth substitutions for Birkirkara on the 85th and on the 87th minute Andre Cassar replaced Rodrigo Pereira and David Spiteri replaced Jhonnattann Benites.
A long distance shot for Sliema on the 89th minute ended wide.
The full time whistle found Birkirkara winning the match, having come back from a two goal disadvantage to beat Sliema Wanderers with a 4-2 score.
Birkirkara: Reuben Gauci, Rodrigo Pereira (85' Andre Cassar), Jusselio Da Silva, Ryan Scicluna, Ryan Camenzuli, Gareth Sciberras, Zoran Vuckovic (80' Ian Schembri), Paul Fenech, Joselito Dos Reis (74' Michael Camilleri), Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (56' Kevin Olivieira), Jhonnattann Benites (87' David Spiteri).
Sliema Wanderers: Glenn Zammit, Alex Muscat, Bromislav Timotich, Clifford Gatt Baldachinno, Andrew Decesare, David Fenech, Mark Scerri, Beppe Muscat, Diego Marcelo Omtega, Dragan Galic.
Scorers: 12' Deigo Marcelo Omtega, 16' Matthias Muccardi (Sliema Wanderers), 17' Joselito Dos Reis, 24' Jhonnattann Benites, 50' Jhonnattann Benites, 54' Rodrigo Pereira (Birkirkara).
Yellow Cards: Alex Muscat (Sliema Wanderers), Rodrigo Pereira (Birkirkara).
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