Off day Stripes suffer first defeat

by Ayrton Galea - 23rd September 2012

Birkirkara's perfect streak came to an end yesterday evening when two quick goals by Sliema Wanderers shocked 'The Stripes', and paved the way for a 3-1 defeat.

Birkirkara definitely failed to reach their expected level and disappointed a lot in every department. Following the two goals suffered, Birkirkara hardly made a reaction especially in the first half and despite having a lot of ball possession they failed to concluded their actions.

Losing to an improved Sliema side, who deserves all the merit for this win, is certainly not a disgrace. What might worry Mr. Paul Zammit was the fatal mistakes which led to two early goals which shocked ‘The Stripes' and the match was uphill from then on.

With Joselito Dos Reis and Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza missing due to injury, Mr. Zammit could not field Birkirkara's typical 4-3-3 and he opted for the 4-1-3-2 formation with Edward Herrera playing in advance position helping Jhonnattann Benites and Shola Shodiya in the forward. Ryan Scicluna and Karl Magri were also not available due to injury.

The First Half

Sliema Wanderers gave an early cold shower to ‘The Stripes' as on the 6th minute they took the lead. Luca Martinelli's pass found Ivan Woods who rounded Zach Muscat and his powerful shot gave no chance to Gauci.

With Birkirkara still trying to settle from the first goal, Sliema doubled their lead just six minutes later. Ariel Laudisi sent a perfect ball to Matias Mucardi whose low shot beat Gauci.

Birkirkara's match was uphill from that point on. They hardly made any reaction with Sliema Wanderers being the best team on the pitch.

Birkirkara's first reply following the early shock consisted with a low powerful shot by Alejandro Mendoza which was saved by goalkeeper Bonello on the 22nd minute.

Birkirkara's defence was terrible in the first 25 minutes, with too many open spaces and lack of communication.

With two goals down and Birkirkara failing to penetrate, Mr. Zammit made some changes. Alejandro Mendoza who began the match as a defensive midfielder was deployed to his usual central back position, Zach Muscat moved to the right back and Edward Herrera was given the freedom of swapping flanks with the aim to confuse his direct markers.

Reuben Gauci had to rush out and clear the danger following a fast counter attack on the 32nd minute.

Zach Muscat tried his luck with a cross shot which goalkeeper Bonello parried on the 39th minute. Four minutes later, Paul Fenech had a long distance shot ending over the bar.

The first half, which was really disappointing for 'The Stripes', ended with them losing 2-0, and performing far below average.

The Second Half

A corner-kick on the 48th minute taken by Paltemio Barbetti caused chaos in the box with Alex Muscat's effort seemed to have been cleared off the goal line by the Birkirkara defence. However, the referee had a different opinion and validated the goal despite huge protests by the Birkirkara defence.

With the score reading three-nil, it all was over for ‘The Stripes' and the first defeat of the league was just round the corner.

Jhonnattann Benites had a direct free-kick saved on the 53rd minute.

In the first substitution for Birkirkara, Ryan Camenzuli replaced Zach Muscat on the 54th minute with the aim to press forward.

Frustrated with the third goal, Birkirkara quickly made a reaction and pulled one back on the 56th minute. Shola Shodiya's fine low cross was met by Rowen Muscat who tapped home.

This goal seemed to give a shimmer of hope to the Birkirkara players as they were all out searching for the second goal, with Sliema Wanderers' all eleven players defending in their half of the pitch.

A long distance shot ended over on the 63rd minute for Birkirkara. Birkirkara could easily have pulled another goal back on the 66th minute when following a perfect cross, a Birkirkara player failed to hit.

Having noticed this domination by Birkirkara, Mr. Alfonso Greco, the Sliema Wanderers' Head Coach included defender Josef Mifsud instead of striker Miguel Ciantar on the 67th minute to close all possible space, and to defend the two goal lead.

Jhonnattann Benites and Shola Shodiya combined well on the 70th minute with Shodiya's powerful shot ending wide by inches.

On the other side of the pitch, a diagonal shot for Sliema on the 72nd minute ended wide. Two minutes later, in a fast counter attack for ‘The Blues', Beppe Muscat could have concluded better but his lob ended in Gauci's safe hands.

On the 78th minute, Birkirkara were unlucky not to pull one back when they were denied by the post. Ryan Camenzuli sent a perfect corner to Nikola Vukanac who saw his effort hitting the post and ending wide

A low shot by Rowen Muscat was saved by the goalkeeper on the 82nd minute. Less than a minute later, Ryan Camenzuli, all alone against the keeper, missed a great chance when he fired a powerful shot from inside the box but the ball ended wide.

The full time whistle saw Birkiring having their first defeat of the league. ‘The Stripes' will be involved in the next match against Tarxien Rainbows next Saturday.

BIRKIRKARA: Reuben Gauci, Zach Muscat (54' Ryan Camenzuli), Nikola Vukanac, Alejandro Mendoza, Joseph Zerafa, Gareth Sciberras, Rowen Muscat, Paul Fenech, Edward Herrera, Shola Shodiya, Jhonnattann Benites.

SLIEMA WANDERERS: Henry Bonello, Alex Muscat, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Stefano Biancardi, Luca Martinelli, Beppe Muscat, Matias Muchardi, Miguel Ciantar (67' Josef Mifsud), Ariel Laudisi (77' Omar El Ghaouti), Ivan Woods (88' John Mintoff).

Scorers: 6' Ivan Woods, 12' Matias Muchari, 48' Alex Muscat (Sliema Wanderers), 56' Rowen Muscat (Birkirkara).

Yellow Cards: Ryan Camenzuli, Edward Herrera, Gareth Sciberras (Birkirkara), Beppe Muscat (Sliema Wanderers).

Man of the match: Ariel Laudisi (Sliema Wanderers).

comments powered by Disqus