Birkirkara defeat Mqabba in friendly match

by Ayrton Galea - 6th September 2013

Three late goals in the second half enabled the Stripes to defeat Mqabba with a 3-0 score in a friendly match played at the Charles Abela Stadium in Mosta yesterday evening.

Mr. Paul Zammit had to do without the National Team players and took this opportunity to give a chance to most of the Under 19 team players.

The First Half

The Stripes created the first opportunity in the match on the third minute. Demba Toure served Shola Shodiya who controlled the ball before trying his luck with a powerful shot from outside the box which the Mqabba goalkeeper saved well.

Close to the tenth minute mark, Demba Toure was in action once again, this time by serving youngster Roderick Taliana whose uprising shot ended over.

Mqabba created their first opportunity on the 14 minutes with a long distance shot. However, the shot did not trouble goalkeeper Reuben Gauci.

A minute later, Mqabba had another scoring opportunity, with a shot from outside the box, which was turned into a corner kick.

The Stripes had an excellent opportunity to surge ahead on the 20th minute as a fine through-ball found one of their trialists unmarked on the run, but his powerful shot scratched past the right post.

Mqabba were quick to reply as just moments later, they had a shot saved by goalkeeper Gauci in two attempts.

Youngster Kurt Zammit performed some fine foot-work on the right wing on the 21st minute before sending an excellent cross which was met with a fine header by Demba Toure but his effort ended wide.

The first half-hour of the match did not produce much entertainment and despite both goalkeepers being tested, the two sides failed to create any dangerous opportunities.

Mqabba had a fine shot from the edge of the box ending wide on the 31st minute.

Four minutes from half-time, Demba Toure received a fine through ball on the right wing before sending a fine cross, which the Mqabba goalkeeper blocked with difficulty and then was cleared into safety by the defence.

The first half ended in a goal-less draw as both teams failed to surge ahead in the first forty five minutes.

The Second Half

The opening stages of the second half were resumed on the same slow rhythm.

Mqabba went close to opening the score six minutes in the second half, following a powerful shot from inside the box which ended wide.

Moments later, Mqabba were on the attack once again, this time by having a diagonal shot which ended wide.

The Stripes created the first opportunity of the second half on the 57th minute. Following a short clearance, Shola Shodiya had a fine shot saved by the Mqabba goalkeeper.

Twenty minutes in the second half, Shola Shodiya performed an excellent solo action as he made a powerful run before concluding with a shot which ended over.

The match continued to be lacking from scoring opportunities as Mqabba were playing an excellent defensive match, and the Stripes were finding it hard to penetrate.

The Stripes surged ahead on the 76th minute. Demba Toure made a fine action before providing Kurt Zammit with a perfect pass inside the box, and the youngster hit home thanks to a low shot.

Birkirkara made them two eight minutes from the end. Luke Montebello was fouled by the goalkeeper inside the box and the referee ordered the penalty. From the eleven meters, Demba Toure converted.

Just before the full-time whistle, the Stripes made them three. Luke Montebello showed great vision by providing an excellent pass in the direction of Demba Toure who rounded the goalkeeper and placed the ball at the back of the net.

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