Stripes lose to Hibs to blow title race wide open
by Ayrton Galea - 18th March 2014
Birkirkara FC saw their aspirations for back to back titles dampened by Hibernians' perfect tactical match. Jackson Lima's strike was enough for the Paolites to beat the Champions and blow the title-race wide open.
Jackson Lima's goal, midway through the first half, boosted Hibernians' hopes of placing in the top three of the BOV Premier League. The Stripes had opened a five point gap on Tuesday, but now they lie just two points over nearest rivals Valletta, before this Sunday's face-off between these two clubs.
After falling behind after just twenty minutes, Birkirkara put their opponents under pressure, but lacking from ideas and goal scoring chances, they left the National Stadium empty-handed to concede the first loss in four matches.
Still fresh from the empathic victory over Sliema Wanderers on Tuesday, Mr. Paul Zammit fielded the same selection of players. Rowen Muscat was still missing as he is still recovering from a knee injury.
On the other hand, the Hibernians Coach, Branko Nisevic was forced to make a change, as Jurgen Borg was ruled out due to injury, and Daniel Balzan was given the nod to start in goal. Serbian midfielder Zoran Levnaic failed to recover from an abdominal injury while Ryan Camilleri was ruled out with a one match ban.
The First Half
With so much at stake for both teams, the match opened on a balanced note and there was little to separate them, but Birkirkara were the first to have a scoring opportunity.
Gareth Sciberras showed great vision to send a delightful pass in the path of Paul Fenech, who made a positive run inside the box, but the latter miscued his effort as he tried to serve the on-running Jhonnattann Benites.
Despite having slightly suffered possession in the opening minutes, Hibernians were certainly not outclassed, as their pressure in the midfield was frustrating Birkirkara, and for their efforts, the Paolites were rewarded with the opener.
Just past the twentieth minute mark, Jackson Lima won possession in Birkirkara's midfield. He raced forward, before serving Obinna Obiefule, who played-in a low cross inside the box in the path of Jackson Lima, who slotted home from close range.
Finding themselves down after just twenty minutes, the Stripes made a quick reaction just two minutes later and they went close to levelling matters. Jhonnattann found space at the edge of the box, but as he was about to pull the trigger, he was foiled by a timely Radusinovic challenge.
Jhonnattann Benites was in action once again close to the half-hour mark. He was played in with a short corner, but his in-swinging shot was headed into safety by a Hibernians' defender to clear the danger.
Birkirkara were dominating possession and Hibernians were being prudent and waiting for their opponents, to then hit on the counter, mainly based on Edison Luis Dos Santos and Obinna Obiefule.
Shola Shodiya connected well with a flying header off a well-taken corner kick by Jhonnattann Benites, but the Nigerian's effort ended wide off Daniel Balzan's post.
Birkirkara threatened again just three minutes later, when Shodiya produced one of his typical superb shots from distance, but this time the Nigerian's effort scratched past the crossbar.
Just before the break, the Stripes threatened again when Ryan Scicluna picked Shola Shodiya inside the box, but the latter had his effort from an ideal position deflected by Scott Chircop, into a corner kick.
Referee Malcolm Spiteri's half-time whistle found Birkirkara chasing the match as both teams headed to their respective dressing rooms.
The Second Half
Inspired by the half-time team-talk, Birkirkara went out aggressive in the second half and they were quick to put their opponents under pressure. However, things remained unchanged as Hibernians continued to handle well the pressure.
On the fifty-seventh minute, Birkirkara went close to levelling when from a central free-kick, Jhonnattann saw his drive blocked in two attempts by the diving Balzan aided by the bar.
Goalkeeper Balzan started a quick counter-attack, when he booted up-field to the speedy Jean Paul Farrugia, who anticipated goalkeeper Justin Haber, only to be foiled by Alejandro Mendoza's block, before Zach Muscat cleared into safety.
Have sensed his team struggle in the attack, Mr. Paul Zammit tried to spark his forward line twenty minutes inside the second half. He replace Ryan Scicluna with striker Ronaille Calheira, and Shodiya was deployed behind the Birkirkara forwards.
There was little change in Birkirkara's penetration rate as they remained frustrated trying to break through, but on the seventy-third minute, they created another fine scoring opportunity. Substitute Ronaille Calheira served Jhonnattann Benites who played-in Sciberras, who came face to face with goalkeeper Balzan. However, the Stripes midfielder was stopped by the keeper, before Timothy Tabone cleared into safety.
Birkirkara's Coach made another two substitutions in the final ten minutes as he sought to salvage something from this match. On the eighty-first minute, he included Terence Vella off Zach Muscat, and just four minutes later, Ryan Camenzuli replaced Joseph Zerafa.
Time was running out for the Stripes who were finding it difficult to penetrate in the final third. Two minutes from time, Pearson came to Hibs' rescue with a timely tackle on the unmarked Ronaille, and a few moments later, goalkeeper Balzan palmed away Jhonnattann's set-piece shot.
Just before the final whistle, Birkirkara desperately tried their last chance when another free-kick by Jhonnattann was not held by goalkeeper Daniel Balzan, and off the rebound, Nikola Vukanac headed over from close range.
With Referee Malcolm Spiteri's blowing the full-time whistle, the Birkirkara faithful were found disappointed with the result, but certainly not with the team's position in the league standings, and they remained in their stands to applaud their lads efforts.
BIRKIRKARA: Justin Haber, Zach Muscat (81′ Terence Vella), Nikola Vukanac, Alejandro Mendoza, Joseph Zerafa (85′ Ryan Camenzuli), Edward Herrera, Gareth Sciberras, Paul Fenech, Ryan Scicluna (66′ Ronaille Calheira), Shola Shodiya, Jhonnattann Benites.
HIBERNIANS: Daniel Balzan, Timothy Tabone Desira, Jonathan Pearson, Scott Chircop (90+4′ Brandon Muscat), Igor Radusinovic, Bjorn Kristensen, Clayton Failla (90+1′ Jurgen Degabriele), Obinna Obiefule, Edison Luis dos Santos, Jackson Lima Siqueira, Jean Paul Farrugia (59′ Andrew Cohen).
Referee: Malcolm Spiteri.
Assistant Referees: Jurgen Spiteri, David Castillo.
Additional Assistant Referees: Andre Arciola, Trustin Farrugia Cann.
Fourth Official: Chris Lautier.
Yellow Cards: 41' Paul Fenech, 65' Ryan Scicluna, 90' Gareth Sciberras (Birkirkara), 37' Jackson Lima, 63' Bjorn Kristensen, 84' Scott Chircop (Hibernians).
Scorers: 20' Jackson Lima (Hibernians).
BOV Player of the Match: Igor Radusinovic (Hibernians).
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