Late goal denies Stripes
by Ayrton Galea - 25th January 2015
A goal by Andrei Agius three minutes in stoppage time denied Birkirkara FC from breathing new life into their title race, as the match between Birkirkara and Hibernians ended in a draw.
With an outstanding performance the Stripes, seemed to be heading to their fifth consecutive win, but a goal in stoppage time extended Hibernians' unbeaten run, and they remained fifteen points over the Stripes.
The match proved to be a rather balanced encounter, with the Stripes enjoying a slight edge for long stretches. Birkirkara had two controversial penalty claims turned down in the first half. However, they surged ahead fourteen minutes from time, before Agius restored parity just seconds before the full-time whistle.
Coach Paul Zammit fielded a 4-2-3-1 formation for this match. Nikola Vukanac was back from suspension, while Matheus Bissi began on the bench. The Club's latest signings, Nassir Maachi and Mirza Hamzabegovic, were not in called to the squad.
Haber defended the post while Vukanac and Mendoza formed the central-backs, with Muscat and Camenzuli patrolling the side-backs. Agius and Fenech roamed in front of the defence. Shola Shodiya and Herrera started on the wings with Scicluna deployed behind striker Ledesma.
The First Half
Both teams threatened in the opening stages and they had a scoring chance each. Ledesma had the ball cleared by a defender just as he was about to pull the trigger, while Tarabai had a low shot parried by Haber.
The Stripes had their first claim for a penalty-kick turned down on the twelfth minute. Zach Muscat crossed into the box and Shodiya was tripped in the area. However, referee Trustin Farrugia Cann showed no interest in Birkirkara's protests.
On the twentieth minute, Tarabai raced forward, but his pass to Jorginho was intercepted by Vukanac and then cleared into safety.
On the twenty-seventh minute, Ledesma did some fine foot-work before having his shot deflected. Scicluna failed to control the ball with Bonello easily stopping the threat.
On the half-hour mark, the Stripes protested harshly when Zach Muscat was floored in the area. However, once again the referee waved play on.
On the thirty-ninth minute, with wind blowing in their favour, Hibernians had a cross-shot by Clayton Failla parried by Haber.
In the last action of the first half, Ledesma dribbled past three player, but his shot from outside the box ended wide without troubling goalkeeper Henry Bonello.
The referee's half-time whistle found both teams heading to their dressing room in a goal-less draw.
The Second Half
The opening stages of the second half saw the Stripes continue where they left in the first forty-five minutes. Ryan Camenzuli had a solo-action with a dazzling run was concluded with a powerful up-rising shot that ended over the bar.
Eight minutes into the second half, an excellent pass unzipped Hibs' defence, with the ball ending in the path of Herrera, who beat the offside trap and raced forward but his cross flew over, with Ledesma all alone against Bonello waiting vainly for the ball.
After struggling to settle down, Hibernians stepped-up their performance. Ten minutes into the second half, Mbong served Jorginho, who had a powerful shot turned into a corner by Haber. Two minutes later, Tarabai went close with an in-swinging strike that scratched past the post.
In a bid to be more offensive, Birkirkara's coach introduced Eliandro Gonzaga as a striker, and withdrew Edward Herrera.
On the seventy-first minute, Clayton Failla had a direct free-kick from a dangerous area cleared by the Stripes' defence, who quickly sent the ball forward in a fast break-away, but Mbong cleared into a corner before Ledesma could conclude.
From the resulting corner-kick, the Stripes surged ahead, fourteen minutes from time. Ledesma's first-post corner kick failed to be dealt by the Hibernians defence, and Nikola Vukanac struck home with an acrobatic move.
Hibernians threw everything forward. They threatened first on the seventy-eighth minute with a header by Tarabai ,that Haber saved well. Two minutes later, Hibs' Coach Branko Nisevic included Jackson Lima and Jurgen Degabriele in the fray, in his last bid of saving something from the match.
Ten minutes from time, Edmond Agius replaced Shola Shodiya, while three minutes later, Matheus Bissi replaced Rafael Ledesma.
The Paolites went close to leveling matters twice. First, from a corner kick by Cohen, Lima who was left unmarked, headed wide. A minute later, Cohen had a direct free-kick tipped away by Haber, aided by the crossbar.
In the second minute out of three minutes of added time, Alejandro Mendoza handled the ball and was sent off with a second yellow card.
From the resulting free-kick, Hibernians equalised. A free-kick by Cohen was met by the unmarked Andrei Agius, who headed past the helpless Justin Haber for a dramatic equaliser.
In a strange episode,all the Hibernians players left the pitch to celebrate, and Zach Muscat wanted to resume play, but referee Trustin Farrugia Cann opted not to accept Muscat's request and showed him a yellow card.
The referee's full-time whistle found the Stripes cursing their luck, as their outstanding display was not enough to inflict the first defeat on leaders Hibernians, who remained enjoying a fifteen points lead on them.
Scorer of the opening goal, Nikola Vukanac,was named BOV Player of the Match.
BIRKIRKARA: Justin Haber, Edward Herrera (74' Eliandro Gonzaga), Nikola Vukanac, Shola Shodiya (80' Edmond Agius), Rafael Ledesma (83'; Matheus Bissi), Gareth Sciberras, Zach Muscat, Paul Fenech, Ryan Camenzuli, Ryan Scicluna, Alejandro Corujo.
HIBERNIANS: Henry Bonello, Jonathan Pearson, Rodolfo Soares, Andrew Cohen, Bjorn Kristensen, Clayton Failla, Johann Bezzina (80' Jackson di Lima Siqueira), Andrei Agius, Edison Luis dos Santos, Joseph Essien Mbong (80' Jurgen Degabriele), Jorge da Silva Pereira.
Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann.
Assistant Referees: Roberto Vella, Sammy Attard.
Additional Assistant Referees: Alan Mario Sant, Adrian Azzopardi.
Fourth Official: Thomas Debono.
Yellow Cards: Shola Shodiya, Alejandro Mendoza, Paul Fenech, Zach Muscat (Birkirkara), Clayton Failla (Hibernians).
Red Cards: Alejandro Mendoza (Birkirkara).
BOV Player of the Match: Nikola Vukanac (Birkirkara).
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