Stripes fail to sparkle

by Ayrton Galea - 15th December 2014

Birkirkara FC had another disappointment in their BOV Premier League campaign, as they failed to put pressure on Hibernians and Valletta, in a goal-less draw against Balzan FC.

Balzan fielded a very defensive formation with their main intention being not to leave any space. The Stripes disappointed as they failed to sparkle and break down the solid Balzan's defence who left the Victor Tedesco Stadium with their target reached of getting something from this match.

Birkirkara enjoyed large swathes of possession but they struggled to penetrate, and to make things worse for them, they had two very controversial penalty claims turned down. In yet another controversial decision, they had Ryan Scicluna who was making his 100th BOV Premier League appearance sent off, four minutes from time.

Mr. Paul Zammit fielded a 4-3-3 formation and made two changes from the last 3-1 victory against Naxxar Lions, as Nikola Vukanac recovered on time to replace the suspended Matheus Bissi, while Shola Shodiya was handed a first-eleven start instead of the unavailable Rafael Ledesma.

There was no change in the Stripes' tactical shape. Vukanac and Mendoza formed the central-backs with Muscat and Camenzuli patrolling the side-backs. The midfield trio was composed of Sciberras, Fenech and Scicluna, with the latter making his 100 Premier League appearance for the Club. The forward line featured the foreign trio of Gonzaga, Morais and Shodiya.

The First Half

There was a slow start in the match with the Stripes given too little space to play their match in the opening stages, as Balzan, fielding a 4-1-4-1 formation, defended in a comfortable manner to keep the Stripes forwards at bay.

The Stripes could have surged ahead on the seventeenth minute mark. Shola Shodiya won possession in midfield and served Gonzaga. The Brazilian forward raced forward inside the box and opted to serve Paul Fenech who mishot his attempt in front of Sultana, with Gonzaga trying from the rebound but his action was cut short as he was in an offside position.

The rhythm of the match remained unchanged as Birkirkara had most of the possession but were too static up-front to trouble the solid Balzan's rear-guard, who were in an excellent form.

Birkirkara had another isolated scoring attempt close to the half-hour mark when Morais' cross from the left was short cleared, and Ryan Camenzuli had a shot ending over. A minute later, in a similar action, Scicluna shot over from a short-clearance off a free-kick from the left.

Balzan produced their first scoring opportunity on the thirty-eighth minute, when Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza tried a long-distance shot which ended over Birkirkara goalpost.

The Stripes suffered a drawback six minutes from half-time, coach Paul Zammit was forced to make his first substitution as Zach Muscat twisted his ankle, and Edward Herrera took his place.

The Stripes had their best scoring chance four minutes from half-time. Shola Shodiya unzipped the defence with an excellent ball played behind Balzan's rea-guard, and Paul Fenech had a powerful strike blocked by goalkeeper, Steve Sultana.

Birkirkara had a claim for a penalty kick ignored just before the half-time whistle, when Shodiya delivered another dangerous ball behind the defence and Ellinton Morais was floored in the area, but the referee signalled a corner kick.

The low-key first-half saw Birkirkara and Balzan heading to their dressing rooms in a goal-less draw.

The Second Half

Right from the start of the second half, the Stripes began to play more direct football and this almost resulted in the opening goal fifteen minutes into the second half.

Paul Fenech was unlucky to hit the upright with a fine shot which was deflected by a defender and hit the post. From the rebound, Ellinton Morais saw his bicycle kick blocked by Sultana and the latter was the protagonist again on blocking Camenzuli's effort.

Balzan were quick to reply and three minutes later, second-half substitute, Lydon Micallef had a fine solo-action, when he dribbled past two Birkirkara players and drifted into the box but his shot ended over.

Birkirkara had their second claim for a penalty on the seventieth minute mark, when Morais raced past Balzan's defence and was floored inside the box, but the flag of the assistant referee stayed down, and the referee waved play on, followed by harsh protests from Birkirkara's bench.

As time flew past, Birkirkara's frustration continued to increase. With their defence advanced to the midfield, Birkirkara were all over their opponents, but they were failing in the final third.

This prompted Paul Zammit to make the second substitution, fourteen minutes from time when Eliandro Gonzaga was replaced by Kurt Zammit as the Birkirkara Coach sought a fresh pair of legs up-front.

Kurt's inclusion made little impact to change the rhythm of the match, as Balzan continued to play safe by defending with ten players, with Gianmarco Piccioni the only striker.

In Birkirkara's third and final substitution, five minutes from time, Edmond Agius replaced Paul Fenech.

However, matters took another twist to the worse for Birkirkara, when just a minute later they ended playing with a player less. In a controversial decision, Ryan Scicluna was adjudicated to have made a late challenge on Zarate, and was showing a straight red card.

Despite being with one player less, the Stripes could have notched the winner in added time. First it was Morais who, after being served by Zammit, was anticipated by goalkeeper Sultana. Moments later, Morais had his shot blocked by the Balzan goalkeeper, who was voted the BOV Player of the Match.

The referee's full-time whistle found Birkirkara dropping another two points in the BOV Premier League.

BIRKIRKARA: Justin Haber, Zach Muscat (39' Edward Herrera), Nikola Vukanac, Alejandro Mendoza, Ryan Camenzuli, Gareth Sciberras, Paul Fenech (85' Edmond Agius), Ryan Scicluna, Shola Shodiya, Eliandro Gonzaga (76' Kurt Zammit), Ellinton Morais.

BALZAN: Steve Sultana, Justin Grioli, Steve Bezzina, Elkin Orlando Serrano Valero, Edison Bilbao Zarate, Ice Cream Osa Guobadia, Clive Brincat, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (52' Lydon Micallef), Oscar Guerrero, Luke Sciberras, Gianmarco Piccioni (90' Ryan Darmanin).

Referee: Philip Farrugia.

Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Sammy Attard.

Fourth Official: Adrian Azzopardi.

Yellow Cards: 37' Ryan Scicluna, 80' Paul Fenech (Birkirkara) 72' Luke Sciberras (Balzan).

Red Cards: 86' Ryan Scicluna (Birkirkara).

BOV Player of the Match: Steve Sultana (Balzan).

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