Birkirkara in a goal-less draw against Zebbug

by Ayrton Galea - 2nd August 2013

Birkirkara FC and Zebbug Rangers FC shared the spoils in a goal-less draw in a friendly match played at the Sirens Stadium Wednesday evening.

In a match that did not reach any particular level, the Stripes enjoyed a complete edge over their opponents. However it was the Rangers' compactness at the defence that shined in the match, as the newly-promoted First Division side left no space in their rear-guard to end the match without conceding any goals.

The Maltese Champions had several players missing, as Zach Muscat, Ryan Camenzuli, Ryan Scicluna, Joseph Zerafa and Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza were all missing.

Also, the Stripes had a 21-year old Brazilian midfielder Junino Balbino making his first appearance with our Club as he is currently on trial with the squad.

The First Half

The match started on a slow rhythm, as both teams took quite a while to settle down before beginning to increase their level and surge forward for their scoring opportunities.

Just past the ninth minute, the Stripes created their first scoring opportunity. Nigerian duo, Shola Shodiya and Frank Temile combined well, with Shodiya serving Temile and the latter rounded a player before trying his shot-on-goal which ended wide.

The Stripes' Nigerian duo seemed to be the fastest players to have settled down in the match as they combined well once again to create another fine scoring opportunity. On the 12th minute, Shodiya found Temile in free space once again, but his conclusion scratched the post.

Just moments later, the Stripes extended their early domination over their opponents as they went near once again. Paul Fenech tried his luck with a long-distance shot, but his central shot was saved by the goalkeeper.

Fenech was in action once again on the 20th minute, as he produced the best chance for the Stripes up to that point. Having noticed the Zebbug's goalkeeper out of position, Fenech tried one of his skilful long-distance powerful drives which surprised the goalkeeper but the ball went wide of the left-post.

Three minutes later, Birkirkara created yet another scoring opportunity. Demba Toure found Shola Shodiya in space and the Nigerian forward advanced before his conclusion shot ended wide past the right-post.

On the 25th minute, referee Kevin Azzopardi ordered a quick water-break to relieve the heat of the day, despite the match being played late in the evening. Both coaches took this opportunity to give fresh instructions to their players, before the match quickly resuming.

Following the restart of play, Zebbug Rangers gained more possession as they were playing better football. This improvement in their match earned them the benefit of keeping the Stripes' forwards at bay. Despite the Maltese Champions were still enjoying an edge over their opponents, they were now finding it hard to penetrate.

On the 37th minute, it was Frank Temile's turn to try his shot from distance, but the Nigerian forward had the same luck as his team-mates, and his effort ended over.

Tempers began to flare five minutes from half-time as Shola Shodiya conceded a two-footed tackle, which caused a minor argument between the players. However, Referee Azzopardi was quick to restore calm between the players.

One minute from half-time, the Stripes should have taken the lead. Shola Shodiya sent Paul Fenech a perfect through-ball and in a one-versus-one situation against the goalkeeper, Fenech saw his drive being denied by a superb save by the goalkeeper who was aided by the crossbar, and the action ended in a corner kick.

From the resulting corner kick, the Stripes treated to surge ahead with a powerful header by Demba Toure whose header ended over.

The first half saw the Maltese Champions creating several fine scoring opportunities which could easily have put them ahead, but the half-time score was reading all nil.

The Second Half

During the half-time interval, Mr. Paul Zammit utilised his first two substitutions as Reuben Gauci replaced Justin Haber between the posts, and the Brazilian midfielder Juninho Balbino replaced Kurt Zammit.

Despite Zebbug went out on a more-aggressive note for the second forty-five minutes, one would have expected that the match would take a different and more-entertaining story, but this was not the case as goal-scoring opportunities were rare in the opening minutes of the second half.

Near the one-hour mark, the Stripes produced a good opportunity which earned them penetration in the opponents' defence but Juninho's low shot was well-saved by the goalkeeper.

Five minutes later, just past the 65th minute mark, the Maltese Champions were dangerous in front of goal once again. Shola Shodiya shifted the play in style and found Edward Herrera on the right, with the latter serving Paul Fenech whose fierce volley ended just over the bar.

Although the Stripes were enjoying much of the possession, they were still finding it hard to penetrate. The strong character shown by Zebbug, especially in the rear-guard was leaving the Stripes with few space and short of ideas, with Birkirkara's remaining option being long-distance shots.

In fact, in two occasions in just one minute, Paul Fenech tried his luck with two long-distance drives, however there was no different outcome from previous attempts as both shots missed the target.

In the Stripes' third substitution, forward Luke Montebello replaced Edward Herrera for the final fifteen minutes.

Against the run the play, it was Zebbug who created what was probably the match's best opportunity eight minutes from the end. In a fast break-away, a Zebbug player advanced in an ideal position but his diagonal shot scratched past the post.

With both teams failing to find the net, the referee's whistle found the match ending in a goal-less score in a match which did not produce any particular entertainment.

Birkirkara: Justin Haber (45' Reuben Gauci), Alejandro Mendoza, Jonathan Maciel, Edward Herrera (75' Luke Montebello), Kurt Zammit (45' Juninho Balbino), Rowen Muscat, Gareth Sciberras, Paul Fenech, Frank Temile, Demba Toure, Shola Shodiya.

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