Late goal denies Birkirkara sole leadership

by Ayrton Galea - 10th December 2012

Late equaliser by debutant Jose Louis Armario Negrin denied Birkirkara to regain sole leadership when they were held by Rabat Ajax in a surprising 3-3 draw.

With Birkirkara's morale sky high following being sole leaders during the last week, they were aiming to pick up another three precious points. However, Rabat who were at the bottom of the table and are still searching for their first win had other intentions and they gave a magnificent performance to deny ‘The Stripes' from sole leadership.

Manuel Fuster's early goal after just three minutes made the match an uphill struggle for ‘The Stripes' but the latter showed great determination and resilience to turn the match in their favour on two occasions but they failed to defend the one-goal important lead and lost two precious points.

Joseph Zerafa was omitted from the starting eleven with Ryan Camenzuli taking his place on the left back while Yosimar Hernandez was deployed from the beginning. Ini Akpan replaced the injured Reuben Gauci and Zach Muscat returned in his position following missing the last game due to a last minute injury.

The First Half

With heavy rain hitting the Maltese Islands, Rabat seemed to be inspired by this inclement weather as they gave a cold shower to ‘The Stripes'. Manuel Fuster fired a brilliant shot from the right which helped by the wind totally beat Akpan.

A shocked Birkirkara began to try to find their feet to give a quick reply. On the 5th minute, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza found himself in an ideal position but his shot was too weak to worry Mintoff.

Michael Fuster who seemed to be on fire in the early stages, was once again in action on the 9th minute, when he rounded a defender and his low shot scratched past the right post.

Desperate for the equalising goal, Rowen Muscat served Ryan Camenzuli whose powerful shot ended over on the 13th minute. Three minutes later, Birkirkara missed a great opportunity when from a perfect corner-kick taken by Jhonnattann Benites failed to be hit by anyone and then Rowen headed over.

Paul Fenech, after twenty minutes, tried his luck with his typical long distance shot which ended wide from Mintoff's right post.

Jhonnattann Benites created Birkirkara's best opportunity on the 32nd minute. Following a defensive blunder, the Brazilian winger cut inside the box before his shot was blocked with a fine save by Mintoff.

Birkirkara continued to dominate and searching for the equalising goal as Ryan Camenzuli had a weak shot ending wide on the 35th minute. Five minutes later, Yosimar Hernandez went near with a powerful shot which ended wide.

Despite being superior for long stretches, the first half ended with ‘The Stripes' being a goal down to Rabat.

The Second Half

Mr. Paul Zammit's half time team talk seemed to have left its mark on the players as they came out on a brilliant note for the second half. Hardly a minute passed, when Yosimar Hernandez sent a perfect low cross which failed to be hit by Alejandro Mendoza from an ideal position.

Mendoza, once again in action on the 49th minute had a powerful header ending wide following a perfect cross by Camenzuli.

Birkirkara continued to show their clear intentions to bring the equalising goal when on the 56th minute, Jhonnattann served Mifsud Triganza in the box with the latter's shot hitting the outside of the net.

Applying pressure from all angles, a much improved side, ‘The Stripes' were rewarded for their efforts with the deserved equalising goal on the 58th minute. Hernandez deflected the ball in direction of Mifsud Triganza who served Ryan Scicluna who hit home in an empty net to score his first goal in this Premier League.

At that point, Rabat seemed to be giving up as Birkirkara made the best out of the situation by turning the game in their favour with the second goal just nine minutes later. Triganza sent a perfect through ball to the Brazilian winger Jhonnattan who advanced before hitting hard past Mintoff.

Birkirkara continued to be the best and most aggressive side on the pitch but they lost a great opportunity on the 71st minute. Jhonnattann perfectly served Mifsud Triganza who failed to hit the ball properly, with Ryan Scicluna doing the same to lose a great opportunity to go two up.

For every easy goal scoring lost, there is always a sour price to pay and Rabat restored equilibrium on the 77th minute. Following a fine free-kick by David Azzopardi from the right, Justin Felice's header surprised Akpan to score the equalising goal.

Mr. Paul Zammit quickly addressed this by utilsing his first substitution as Hernandez was taken out to make place for Zerafa who was included as a left back with Camenzuli advancing to the left wing position.

Shocked by the equalist, Birkirkara not only refused to give up but showed great determination to take the lead once again. On the 83rd minute, Mifsud Triganza fired a brilliant shot which was temporarily blocked by Mintoff but off the rebound, Nikola Vukanac quickly hit home.

With less than ten minutes to go, everyone though that Vukanac had scored the winning goal for ‘The Stripes' but Rabat had different ideas as they surprisingly scored the equalising goal just two minutes from time.

With too much space in the defense, Armario Negrin received a through pass, with some doubt that he was in an offside position, and advanced to easily beat goalkeeper Akpan.

However, Birkirkara failed to give up and the put everything forward and they almost grabbed the winning goal two minutes on added time. Mifsud Triganza fired a powerful shot from inside the box which somehow was deflected into a corner-kick by Mintoff.

The full time whistle found a disappointed Birkirkara losing two precious points, but a determined performance surely gives hope and faith for the upcoming matches.

BIRKIRKARA: Ini Akpan, Zach Muscat, Nikola Vukanac, Alejandro Mendoza, Ryan Camenzuli (92' Kurt Zammit), Rowen Muscat, Ryan Scicluna (85' Rodrigo Pereira), Paul Fenech, Jhonnattann Benites, Yosimar Hernandez (79' Joseph Zerafa), Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza.

RABAT: Sean Mintoff, Ivan Carapic, Joseph Caruana, Justin Felice, Jose Luis Armario Negrin, Manuel Foster, Dylan Falzon, Patrick Borg, Yan Cauchi, David Azzopardi, Clifford Gauci.

Scorers: 4' Manuel Fuster (Rabat), 58' Ryan Scicluna (Birkirkara), 67' Jhonnattann Benites (Birkirkara), 77' Justin Felice (Rabat), 84' Nikola Vukanac (Birkirkara), 88' Armario Negrin (Rabat)

Yellow Cards: Jhonnattann Benites (Birkirkara)

Man of the match: Jhonnattann Benites (Birkirkara)

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