Under-17's Team starts Group 5 with a fine win

by Ayrton Galea - 11th October 2014

Birkirkara FC Under-17's Team registered their first victory in Group 5 this afternoon when two goals early in the second half paved the way for a comfortable 2-0 victory over Rabat Ajax FC in a match played at the Siggiewi Grounds.

It was a well-deserved victory in the first official match for Coach Mr. Precious Monye, as Birkirkara enjoyed superiority for long stretches, and the score could have been bigger, if the Birkirkara players converted better their scoring chances.

The First Half

Both sides studied each other in the opening moments, but Birkirkara were quick to start dictating matters. On the twelfth minute, Gianluca Zammit lost a fine opportunity when he fired over from inside the box.

The Stripes continued to enjoy possession and on the twenty-fifth minute, they threatened once again. Neil Micallef showed confidence to try his luck with a fierce shot from outside the box which ended over by mere inches. Seven minutes later, a direct free-kick for the Stripes ended wide.

Just before the half-time whistle, Birkirkara should have surged ahead when they were found in a one-versus-one situation but Gianluca Zammit's shot was too weak to break the deadlock after a brilliant solo-action by Nigel Bugeja.

The Second Half

Mr. Precious Monye's half-time speech inspired his side, as the Stripes went out stronger. A visibly physically superior Birkirkara side were imposing their will on a tired Rabat side. Seven minutes into the second half, Neil Micallef dribbled from the right hand side towards the central area of the pitch, and he tried his luck with his left foot from outside the box, beating Rabat's goal keeper on his left hand side and opening the score for Birkirkara.

One quickly became two as the strong start of the Stripes rewarded them with the second goal just nine minutes later. Gianluca Zammit might not have had his best match in front of the post but on the fifty-sixth minute he made no mistake to put Birkirkara two up. Nigel Bugeja dribbled past a player and crossed from the left wing towards Nigel Borg, who had a shot on goal. His shot was blocked by a Rabat defender, and the ball ended on Gianluca Zammit's left foot who made no mistake in beating Rabat's keeper.

Birkirkara's momentum quickly suffered a drawback, as fifteen minutes into the second half they ended up playing with ten players. Maximilian Bartolo was sent off with a direct red card for retaliation by hitting an opponent.

This dismissal of Maximilian did not affect much Birkirkara's superiority over their opponents as the Stripes continued to dominate for long stretches and Neil Micallef almost scored his second goal of the day but his powerful shot was turned into a corner kick.

The full-time whistle brought to an end the siege that Birkirkara laid on Rabat, who hardly created anything in the match, apart from some good saves by their keeper. A well-deserved 2-0 victory for Birkirkara saw them starting their commitments in Group 5 on a good note.

BIRKIRKARA: Emanuel Galea, Jacob Magri ( 72' Justin Cardona), Nigel Bugeja, Maximilian Bartolo, Zack Cassar, Roberto Curmi, Neil Micallef, Shaun Xuereb, Gianluca Zammit (76' Owen Cauchi), Nigel Borg (53' Matthew Calleja), Fabien Lufi.

Red Cards: 55' Maximilian Bartolo.

Scorers: 47' Neil Micallef, 56' Gianluca Zammit.

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