Stripes beat Tarxien to stay on top

by Ayrton Galea - 31st March 2013

Sole leaders Birkirkara had to endure a challenging task on Saturday afternoon as a determined Tarxien Rainbows side played their hearts out. However Jhonnattann's strike midway in the second half was essential for the Stripes to pick up precious points and move a step closer towards their aim of winning their fourth championship.

After beating Valletta two weeks ago, Birkirkara found themselves in the driving seat of the championship race but they knew that they had to be in their best form to resist pressure.

Tarxien Rainbows who were coming from three positive results, went out for this match on fire and they managed to frustrate the Stripes for more than an hour. However Birkirkara's hunger for the three points was too much for the Rainbows and they had to give in to the pressure as the Stripes scored the winning goal in the second half.

No changes were made by Mr. Paul Zammit from the first-eleven selection of two weeks ago. The Stripes clearly went out for an early goal but they rarely tested the goalkeeper as Tarxien packed their back line in an excellent way.

With the Stripes frustrated as they were still looking for the opener, Mr. Zammit made a crucial change by introducing Shola Shodiya and after just minutes the Nigerian player sent a deadly ball to Jhonnattann who fired the winning goal to consolidate Birkirkara's top spot.

Thanks to this important victory, the Stripes are sole leaders with 34 points, followed by Hibernians with 32 who beat Valletta with a 4-2 score, in the match that followed.

The First Half

Birkirkara went out on an aggressive note but they found a well-organised opponent who made their life difficult. Also, the Rainbows managed to create the best scoring opportunities in a rather dull first half.

Hardly two minutes into the match, and Tarxien threatened seriously for the opening goal. Andrezinho made a good run down the right wing before his cross was powerfully met by a strong header of Daniel Mariano Bueno which scratched past the post.

Birkirkara tried to find their feet on the ground, but Tarxien were very disciplined and compact and did not leave any spaces for the Stripes' forwards, as they perfectly managed to neutralise their attacks, mostly from Birkirkara's left side.

With a Brazilian trio in the forward line, Daniel Mariano Bueno, Andrezinho and the former Valletta striker Leandro Do Silva, Tarxien were comfortable building their attacks, mostly started by Mariano Bueno.

On the 12th minute, Leandro Da Silva won possession outside the box and served Daniel Mariano Bueno. The Brazilian striker intelligently released Justin Grioli in an ideal position but his diagonal shot ended wide.

Birkirkara's opening minutes took another twist to the worse when the hard working captain, Gareth Sciberras, had to the leave the pitch on the 21st minute as he was not in the best condition, and Ryan Scicluna took his place.

The Stripes seemed to be a pale shadow of the team that managed to outclass and defeat Valletta just two weeks ago as they seemed short of ideas, much to the frustration of Mr. Zammit who clearly was not happy with his lads' performance.

On the 28th minute, Birkirkara created their first opportunity as the Stripes were showing signs of settling down. Edward Herrera performed one of his typical fast runs on the wing but his cross was cleared into safety by Ryan Sammut.

Tarxien replied with another good opportunity when Daniel Mariano Bueno's cross was met with a header of Ryan Sammut which ended over.

On the 39th minute, in the last action of the first half, Jhonnattann sent a fine freekick in direction of Nikola Vukanac but the Serbian's header ended wide.

The first half ended in a goal-less draw, to the disappointment of the Yellow-Reds.

The Second Half

The Rainbows created the first opportunity of the second half when Roderick Bajada's long distance shot ended over.

Having failed to impress in the first half and with the clock ticking, the Stripes needed to make a strong reaction to grab the precious three points.

In a quick reply to Roderick Bajada's attempt, Jhonnattann tried his luck with a powerful shot from a distance which seemed to surprise Vella but the latter saved in two attempts.

Following a fine corner by Jhonnattann, Rodrigo Pereira rose over everybody but his powerful effort from a header ended wide.

Tarxien then created a great opportunity when Leandro Da Silva made a fine-solo action before serving Mariano Bueno who miscued his flick.

Jhonnattann then had a free-kick ending totally over, while Tarxien replied with a Bueno's header which was easily saved by the National goalkeeper Justin Haber, following a cross from the left by Carlo Mamo.

Tarxien Rainbows seemed to be increasing their confidence as with minutes passing by, they kept their momentum.

Alejandro Mendoza lost possession in the middle of the pitch with Bueno serving Andrezinho who advanced and fired a ferocious shot, which ended wide with the Stripes' faithful taking a deep breath.

With less than a half-hour to go and the Stripes still struggling to penetrate, Mr. Paul Zammit inserted Shola Shodiya off Rodrigo Pereira on the 63rd minute.

On the 66th minute, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza passed the ball to Shola Shodiya who showed great vision by serving Jhonnattann who all alone against Cassar made no mistake, and the Birkirkara supporters erupted with joy.

Tarxien were left with no option but to come out of their defensive line which resulted in much more space for the Stripes.

Shola Shodiya who had settled down in an excellent manner, quickly provided another perfect assist and his dangerous cross was powerfully volleyed over by mere inches by Mifsud Triganza.

Tarxien were left wondering what they had to do to stop Shodiya who was being a continuous torment for the Rainbows' defence. On the 70th minute, Birkirkara were unlucky not to double the lead. Following a fast counter-attack, Shola Shodiya found himself an ideal position facing Vella. The Nigerian striker served Jhonnattann who was in an even better position and the Brazilian's low shot beat Vella but not Sammut as the defender saved the ball off the line.

With just less than 10 minutes remaining, Zach Muscat came out for Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza with the latter receiving a standing ovation by the Birkirkara supporters who were now optimistic that they were on the verge of bagging another three points.

As the game entered the final five minutes, Herrera dashed into the box but his rising shot flew high.

In stoppage time, Birkirkara came close to doubling their lead. Fenech, one of their best players on the day, served Jhonnattann as Tarxien left themselves exposed at the back. Luckily for the Rainbows, goalkeeper Vella rushed out of his goal to nudge the ball away from the Brazilian.

Tarxien's last-ditch efforts yielded a chance for Timotic who lofted the ball high before Jhonnattann set off another surging run on the counter but his conclusion was wide.

The full time whistle by Referee Esther Azzopardi saw Birkirkara making another step in their fight for the championship, with the Stripes' supporters applauding their players for overcoming another hurdle in the Championship Pool to end the first round of the same phase as sole leaders.

BIRKIRKARA: Justin Haber, Rodrigo Pereira (63' Shola Shodiya), Nikola Vukanac, Alejandro Mendoza,Joseph Zerafa, Paul Fenech, Gareth Sciberras (21' Ryan Scicluna), Rowen Muscat, Edward Herrera, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (82' Zach Muscat), Jhonnattann Benites.

TARXIEN RAINBOWS: Nicholas Vella, Carlo Mamo, Andrew Agius (82' David Fenech), Andrezinho, Roderick Bajada, Leandro Da Silva (90' Clive Fenech), Justin Grioli (59' Mark Tanti-5), Ryan Sammut, Daniel Mariano Bueno, Branislav Timotic, Steven Bonnici.

Scorers: 66' Jhonnattann Benites.

Yellow Cards: Paul Fenech (Birkirkara), Andrew Agius, Branislav Timotic, Roderick Bajada (Tarxien)

Man of the match: Jhonnattann Benites (Birkirkara)

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