Birkirkara kicks off the Premier League in style
by Ayrton Galea - 20th August 2012
Birkirkara kicked off the Premier League in style as in their first match of the league, they easily beat newly promoted Melita with a comfortable 4-0 score.
The whole ninety minutes were dominated by Birkirkara but Melita gave their best to keep the dangerous Birkirkara forwards at bay. A brace by Joselito Dos Reis and a goal each by Shola Shodiya and Jhonnattann Benites paved the way for 'The Stripes'.
Birkirkara had Spanish defender Alejandro Mendoza, Brazilian duo Joselito Dos Reis and Jhonnattann Benites and promising youngster Zach Muscat making their Premier League debut.
Birkirkara were not in full strength since Nikola Vukanac was suspended, while Joseph Zerafa and Jhonnattann Benites were not in the best condition and both began the match on the bench.
The First Half
Birkirkara had a fine chance after just two minutes when Ryan Scicluna served Gareth Sciberras whose low powerful shot scratched past the right post.
Birkirkara opened the score on the 7th minute thanks to a wonderful direct freekick by Joselito Dos Reis.
On the 10th minute Joselito Dos Reis was in action once again, with a fine solo action but his low shot was turned into a corner kick. Off the corner, a header by Rowen Muscat was saved by goalkeeper Karl Zahra.
A long distance shot by Shola Shodiya on the 12th minute ended wide.
After a fine combination between Joselito Dos Reis and Paul Fenech on the 17th minute, the latter sent a fine pass to the Brazilian player but the goalkeeper came out and stopped the danger.
Melita's Nicolo Baldacchino was cautioned by the referee for a simulation inside the box on the 18th minute.
A shot by Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza on the 24th minute was saved by goalkeeper Zahra. Another shot on the 26th minute, this time by Ryan Camenzuli ended over.
Birkirkara had a goal disallowed for an offside position on the 28th minute following a fine pass from the right.
Birkirkara had three consecutive opportunities on the 31st minute. First a shot by Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza beat the goalkeeper and was cleared off the line. From the rebound a shot by Shola Shodiya was blocked by the goalkeeper and from that rebound Gareth Sciberras' effort was turned into a corner kick.
Birkirkara were unlucky not to double the lead on the 35th minute, when a low powerful shot by Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza beat the goalkeeper but was denied by the post.
Ryan Camenzuli sent a perfect cross on the 37th minute which was met with a bicycle kick by Joselito Dos Reis but the ball was cleared by the defence.
Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza had a fine opportunity on the 38th minute, when he advanced towards the goalkeeper but a defender managed to make a perfect tackle to clear the ball into a corner kick. Off the corner kick, first the goalkeeper made a fine save on Alejandro Mendoza and then, off the rebound a shot by Shola Shodiya was also turned into a corner by the goalkeeper.
The first half saw Birkirkara dominating the whole first fifty five minutes but their domination was not translated in goals as they were leading just by the early goal.
The Second Half
In the half time interval, Melita made two substitutions as Kane Micallef and Simon Galea replaced Michael Valenzia and Nicolo Baldacchino.
Melita opened the second half well, and they tried to make a reaction, but Birkirkara soon regained their dominance in the match.
Birkirkara made them two on the 51st minute, when following a perfect pass by Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, Joselito Dos Reis advanced before rounding the goalkeeper and sending the ball into an empty net.
Ryan Camenzuli almost made them three on the 55th minute when Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza served him but his powerful shot ended over the bar.
A powerful shot by Joselito Dos Reis on the 59th minute ended wide.
Melita almost pulled on back on the 60th minute thanks to a powerful shot by Karl Vella Petroni which scratched past the post.
Birkirkara were awarded a penalty on the 63rd minute following a hands ball inside the box. Shola Shodiya converted with a fine kick to make the score 3-0 for Birkirkara.
A direct effort by Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza from a diagonal free-kick on the 67th minute ended over the bar. A minute later, a low shot by Ryan Camenzuli was blocked and cleared by the defence.
Birkirkara were denied from the fourth goal when off a perfect pass by Shola Shodiya, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza's low strike was somehow blocked by the goalkeeper on the 70th minute.
In the first substitution for Birkirkara on the 71st minute, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza was replaced with Jhonnattann Benites.
Substitute Jhonnattann Benites instantly left his mark as on the 75th minute, he received a perfect pass, rounded goalkeeper Zahra and hit home with a diagonal shot, to put Birkirkara four goals ahead.
Birkirkara made their second substitution for Birkirkara on the 79th minute. Joseph Zerafa, who was making his return after being injured, replaced Joselito Dos Reis.
Shola Shodiya performed a good solo action which he concluded with a low shot but it was saved by the goalkeeper on the 85th minute.
In the third substitution for Melita, Daniel Gravino replaced Karl Vella Petroni on the 87th minute.
In the third substitution for Birkirkara on the 88th minute, Rowen Muscat was replaced with David Spiteri.
The full time whistle found Birkirkara winning their first league match of the season in a convincing way, and auguring well for the rest of the campaign.
BIRKIRKARA: Reuben Gauci, Ryan Scicluna, Alejandro Mendoza, Zach Muscat, Ryan Camenzuli, Rowen Muscat (88' David Spiteri), Gareth Sciberras, Paul Fenech, Shola Shodiya, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (71' Jhonnattann Benites), Joselito Dos Reis (79' Joseph Zerafa).
MELITA: Karl Zahra, Karl Vella Petroni (87' Daniel Gravino), George Gribbon, Rudi Alhino, Jovan Vukanic, Luke Sammut, Julian Galea, Michael Valenzia (45' Kane Micallef), Luke Micallef, Nicolo Baldacchino (45' Simon Galea), Hose Louis Armaro.
Scorers: 7' Joselito Dos Reis, 51' Joselito Dos Reis, 63' Shola Shodiya, 75' Jhonnattann Benites (Birkirkara).
Yellow Cards: Nicolo Baldacchino (Melita).
Man of the match: Joselito Dos Reis (Birkirkara).
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