Birkirkara end Euro Cup commitments with defeat

by Ayrton Galea - 26th June 2014

Birkirkara FC ended their Euro Cup Pre-Season Tournament with a narrow 1-0 defeat when an own goal enabled Sliema Wanderers to pick up the three points.

With Valletta already declared winners of this friendly tournament, the match did not offer much in the way of entertainment. Birkirkara held most of the possession and they were slightly superior to their opponents. However, an own goal by Joseph Zerafa past the half-hour mark handed the victory to the Wanderers.

Mr. Paul Zammit once again opted for an experimental first eleven selection. Goalkeeper Sanchez guarded the post with Zerafa, Vukanac, Mendoza and Muscat forming the back four. Edmond Agius was given the green light to start in the heart of midfield along with Sciberras and Fenech. Terence Vella was the only striker, continually supported by Camenzuli and Herrera on the flanks.

The First Half

Birkirkara threatened first on the ninth minute. Edmond Agius won a ball in midfield and served Terence Vella who had his shot ending wide. Just a minute later, Herrera made a surging run before serving Camenzuli who had his shot parried by goalkeeper Zammit.

On the eleventh minute, Zach Muscat sent a dangerous cross inside the penalty area but Fenech and Camenzuli were both unlucky not to hit in front of Zammit.

Sliema replied two minutes later when Michael Mifsud served Paltemio Barbetti but his shot ended totally over Sanchez's bar.

Birkirkara had a good chance to open the score on the eighteenth minute. Herrera sent a perfect delivery from the free-kick inside the box but an unmarked Camenzuli headed wide.

Midway through the first half, Herrera served Agius who tried to hit a volley but he mishot and his shot was easily saved by Zammit. A minute later, Ohawuchi made a good run but he concluded wide.

Sliema Wanderers took the lead on the half-hour mark when in a counter-attack, Ohawuchi advanced and tried to pass Mifsud but the ball was deflected by Zerafa into his own net.

Birkirkara made their first reaction on the thirty-fourth minute, when Edward Herrera had his cross-shot parried by Zammit. A minute later, Agius had a fierce strike from outside the box ending wide by inches.

The Stripes had another chance to equalise ten minutes from half time, when off a corner-kick by Herrera, Mendoza had a volley from the far post parried by Zammit.

Birkirkara were unlucky not to equalise five minutes from half time. Herrera delivered a first-post cross, which was connected with an excellent header by Fenech but the ball hit the crossbar after being tipped by goalkeeper Zammit.

Sliema threatened to double their lead when Paltemio Barbetti had a shot from outside the box missing the target and ending wide.

The first half ended with Birkirkara down by one goal.

The Second Half

Birkirkara made one substitution during the half-time break, when Leighton Grech replaced Zach Muscat.

The Stripes created the first opportunity of the second half on the fifty-fifth minute when Fenech had his volley ending wide from outside the box.

Birkirkara made three changes on the hour mark. Gareth Sciberras was replaced with Rafael Ledesma. Alejandro Mendoza was replaced with Matheus Bissi while Ryan Camenzuli was replaced with Lucky Omerou.

On the other hand, Trevor Cilia replaced Beppe Muscat, Miguel Ciantar replaced Mark Scerri and Michael Mifsud was replaced by Gabriel Aquilina for Sliema Wanderers.

Substitute Trevor Cilia was quick to try his luck as twenty minutes inside the second half had a shot from distance ending wide.

Terence Vella had a good chance to equalise on the sixty-seventh minute. From a careless clearance, Vella had his strike ending wide from inside the box.

Sliema made another three substitutions on the sixty-eight minute when Alex Muscat, Stanley Ohowuchi and Stefano Biancardi were replaced with Hanes Salama, Luca Martinelli and Jojo Mifsud. On the other hand, a minute later, Ryan Scicluna replaced Edmond Agius while Kurt Zammit replaced Terence Vella.

Birkirkara had a good opportunity ten minutes from time when Rafael Ledesma served Kurt Zammit, who continued the ball into the path of Scicluna but the latter concluded wide.

Rafael Ledesma made another surging run before serving Leighton Grech who controlled the ball, before hitting a fine strike which was parried by Zammit. Ledesma was in action once again on the ninety minute mark when he sent a dangerous free-kick which Lucky failed to hit.

The referee's full time whistle found the Stripes ending their friendly tournament commitments on one point, thanks to the first match draw against Valletta.

BIRKIRKARA: Adrian Sanchez, Zach Muscat (46' Leighton Grech), Alejandro Mendoza (60' Matheus Bissi), Nikola Vukanac, Joseph Zerafa, Edward Herrera, Edmond Agius (69' Ryan Scicluna), Gareth Sciberras (60' Rafael Ledesma), Paul Fenech, Ryan Camenzuli (60' Lucly Omerou), Terence Vella (69' Kurt Zammit).

Substitutes not used: Reuben Gauci.

SLIEMA WANDERERS: Glenn Zammit, Alex Muscat (68' Hanes Salama), Andrea Scozzese, Marko Potezica, John Mintoff, Mark Scerri (60' Miguel Ciantar), Michael Mifsud (60' Gabriel Aquilina), Stanley Ohawuchi (68' Luca Martinelli), Paltemio Barbetti, Beppe Muscat (60' Trevor Cilia), Stefano Biancardi (68' Jojo Mifsud).

Substitutes not used: Henry Bonello.

Yellow Cards: Leighton Grech (Birkirkara), Miguel Mifsud (Sliema Wanderers).

Scorers: 31' Own goal.

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