Birkirkara overcome Balzan in a hard fought match
by Ayrton Galea - 26th August 2012
Birkirkara registered their second consecutive victory, when in a very tough match they beat Balzan with a score of 2-1.
In a match where Birkirkara suffered two forced substitutions, a player sent off, and a number of very tough tackles from the Balzan players, they managed to handle the pressure very well and win the precious three points.
Birkirkara lost two of their three forwards in the first half when first Shola Shodiya had to be replaced on the 17th minute and then Joselito Dos Reis also suffered an injury and had to be replaced on the 35th minute.
Birkirkara were coming from a comfortable 4-0 victory over Melita, while Balzan had gained their first point in the 2-2 draw against Hamrun Spartans.
Birkirkara made one change from their first outing in the Premier League as the Brazilian winger Jhonnattann Benites replaced Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza.
Both teams could not field their best formation as Nikola Vukanac for Birkirkara and Renato Conceicao for Balzan were suspended. Balzan's Head Coach, Mr. Ivan Zammit was also suspended.
A minute of silence was observed in memory of Malta's former Prime Minister, Mr. Dom Mintoff.
The First Half
Birkirkara had the first opportunity on the 2nd minute when off a cross by Jhonnattann Benites, Shola Shodiya's low volley scratched past the right post.
On the 4th minute, Ryan Camenzuli served Shola Shodiya who went past a defender but took too long to conclude and the ball ended in a goal kick for Balzan.
Birkirkara were denied from the opening goal on the 7th minute when a powerful shot by Joselito Dos Reis hit the crossbar.
However, Birkirkara were not denied for long, as they took the lead on the 9th minute. Jhonnattann Benites served Shola Shodiya in style, who alone against Camilleri made no mistake.
On the 10th minute, Shola Shodiya was stretchered out of the pitch but following some treatment he was able to return to play on the 14th minute.
However Shola was unable to continue playing as once again he had to be stretchered out of the pitch and he was replaced by Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza on the 17th minute.
In the first chance for Balzan on the 19th minute, a long distance shot by Dylan Grima ended over the bar.
Following a free-kick from the right on the 25th minute, Jhonnattann Benites's over head kick ended wide.
Ryan Camenzuli tried to catch Matthew Camilleri out of position on the 26th minute but his cross shot was saved by the goalkeeper.
On the 28th minute Reuben Gauci managed to turn a long distance shot into a corner, with some difficulty. Off a short corner, Balzan had a shot ending over.
On the half hour mark, Jamie Pace made a very tough tackle on Paul Fenech and he collected a yellow card although the Birkirkara supporters believed that a red card would have been more just.
A Pedro Dos Santos Calcado free-kick on the 34th minute ended totally over.
Birkirkara had to make the second substitution due to an injured player, as Joseph Zerafa replaced Joselito Dos Reis on the 35th minute. Birkirkara lost two strikers in just 35 minutes and things started to be complicated for Mr. Zammit's side.
Birkirkara made them two on the 38th minute to relieve the frustration as following a powerful shot, Rowen Muscat deflected the ball to beat Camilleri. Rowen was the first Maltese player to score for our team following eight matches.
A Pedro Dos Santos Calcdo freekick was turned into a corner by the wall on the 42nd minute.
Balzan missed a fine chance on the 45th minute when following a low deflected cross, Martin Deanov's effort ended wide.
The first half ended with Birkirkara having a 2-0 cushion despite two early and forced substitutions.
The Second Half
In the half time interval, Balzan made their first substitution as Aaron Agius replaced Jonathan Francica.
Ryan Camenzuli almost scored a brilliant goal for Birkirkara on the 47th minute but somehow Camilleri turned into a corner.
Ryan Camenzuli took a powerful indirect free-kick on the 53rd minute which was blocked by Camilleri, deflected by a player and ended in Camilleri's hands.
Balzan could have ended playing with ten players on the 58th minute when Jamie Pace, who was already cautioned, fouled Rowen Muscat rather unceremoniously, but the referee did not show a card.
In the second substitution for Balzan, on the hour mark, Bjorn Bondin replaced Martin Deanov.
A cross shot by Gareth Sciberras ended over, on the 64th minute. On the other side of the pitch, Reuben Gauci made a fine save following a close range effort.
In the third substitution for Balzan, on the 66th minute Renie Forace was replaced with Malcolm Licari.
Balzan were increasing their tempo and they were playing better football and putting 'The Stripes' under pressure.
On the 69th minute, Balzan took a free-kick which was met with a header from close range. Reuben Gauci performed a very fine save and the ball was then cleared by the defence.
A diagonal shot by Jhonnattann Benites on the 70th minute was saved by Camilleri.
A powerful volley by Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza ended wide on the 78th minute.
Balzan were unlucky not to reduce the gap when following a save by Gauci, the Balzan player's effort hit the crossbar.
Birkirkara ended playing with ten players as Ryan Scicluna was shown the second yellow card on the 80th minute.
Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza tried to catch Camilleri out of position with a 40 metres lob, which ended wide, on the 84th minute. On the other side of the pitch, Elton Da Silva had a volley ending totally over.
Reuben Gauci turned a direct long distance free-kick into a corner kick on the 86th minute.
In the third and final substitution for Birkirkara, on the 86th minute Jhonnattann Benites was replaced with Fabian Zammit.
Balzan reduced the gap on the 89th minute when following a corner, Malcolm Licari's header beat Gauci.
The full time whistle found Birkirkara registering their second consecutive victory in a very hard-fought and intense match.
Ryan Camenzuli, who had a brilliant performance, was named the BoV player of the match.
BIRKIRKARA: Reuben Gauci, Ryan Scicluna, Zach Muscat, Alejandro Mendoza, Ryan Camenzuli, Rowen Muscat, Gareth Sciberras, Paul Fenech, Jhonnattann Benites (86' Fabian Zammit), Shola Shodiya (17' Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza), Joselito Dos Reis (35' Joseph Zerafa).
BALZAN: Matthew Camilleri, Matthew Mendy, RenIe Forace (66' Malcolm Licari), Stefan Giglio, Jonathan Francica, Yessous Camilleri, Jamie Pace, Dylan Grima, Pedro Dos Santos Calcado, Martin Deyanov (60' Bjorn Bondin), Elton Da Silva.
Scorers: 8' Shola Shodiya, 38' Rowen Muscat (Birkirkara), 89' Malcolm Licari (Balzan).
Yellow Cards: Ryan Scicluna, Zach Muscat, Rowen Muscat (Birkirkara), Jamie Pace, Elton Da Silva, Pedro Dos Santos Calcado. Bjorn Bondin, Renie Forace (Balzan).
Red Cards: Ryan Scicluna (Birkirkara).
Man of the match: Ryan Camenzuli.
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