VALLETTA.............3
BIRKIRKARA.........3
Valletta: D. Bartkus, R. Camilleri, J. Caruana, J. Cruz Gill (M. Velasco 57’), L. Aguirre, R. Romao, L. Cremona (T. Radzinevicius 73’), J. Borg, S. Malano, M. Mifsud, L. Montebello
Birkirkara: H. Bonello, C. Attard, N. Vukanac, C. Bubalovic, J. Zerafa, G. Sciberras, M. Andelkovic, M. Guillaumier (E. Agius 70’), E. Herrera, G. Malan (V. Plut 60’), S. Dimitrov (M. Alba 83’)
Yellow Cards: C. Bubalovic 69’, G. Sciberras 88’ (B), R. Camilleri 87’ (V)
Scorers: S. Malano 8’, M. Velasco 74’, 80’ (V), N. Vukanac 42’, C. Bubalovic 45’, E. Herrera 75’ (B)
Referee: Mario Apap
Assistant Referees: Duncan Sultana, William Debattista
Additional Assistant Referees: Alan Mario Sant, Etienne Mangion
TMI Top 3: 1. G. Sciberras (B), 2. S. Malano (V), 3. S. Dimitrov (B)
BOV Player of the match: Srdan Dimitrov (Birkirkara)
Attendance: 1483
Photos Domenic Aquilina
By Stewart Said
In what probably was the best match of the season, Valletta and Birkirkara finished 3-3 in an entertaining and breath-taking game. The draw didn’t please both teams as Valletta’s title hopes have been dented while Birkirkara’s quest to play European football next season is still far.
Valletta had numerous chances to score especially before Birkirkara’s goal, but they lost a few open score chances. On the other hand, Birkirkara contained their opponents and were cynical where it mattered the most.
The citizens coach Paul Zammit had to do without again numerous players as Claudio Pani, Rowen Muscat, Uchenna Umeh, Valdo Alhinho and Steve Borg were all missing. Birkirkara coach Nikola Jaros kept the same team that defeated Balzan last week.
Valletta took the lead after just eight minutes. The shot by Michael Mifsud finished a bit wide, but Romeu Romao controlled from a dubious situation, and crossed to Santiago Malano who slotted past Bonello from close range. Birkirkara’s reaction came two minutes later with a header by Guilluamier that finished a bit off target. Valletta had another occasion on the 13th minute mark as Michael Mifsud received a good ball from Luke Montebello but his effort wasn’t on target. Another chance for Valletta on the 28th minute when Malano crossed from the box to Luke Montebello, but his effort didn’ trouble Henry Bonello. Paul Zammit’s team came close to double their lead three minutes later. Leandro Aguirre tried a powerful shot from distance, Henry Bonello saved the shot but couldn’t grab the ball, and he was thankful enough that the effort hit the upright. Birkirkara went close to equalise in the next action, when Srdan Dimitrov received a cross from the right side, but his effort hit only the side netting.
Valletta went close to double on the 40th minute with a splendid action by Luke Montebello, anticipating the Birkirkara defence, advancing and beating Henry Bonello with a low shot, but unfortunately for him, the shot was denied by the upright.
This proved to be the turning point of the game as Birkirkara equalised two minutes later. It was Nikola Vukanac who received a ball from the side line and scored with a low shot in his right corner. Birkirkara managed to turn the tables before the end of the first half as from a long ball from the right, Dimitrov passed to Bubalovic who anticipated Bartkus and scored with a low shot.
The Stripes started the second half searching for the third goal and five minutes into the second half, a header by Nikola Vukanac finished over the bar. A minute later, Bartkus had to tip into a corner after a dangerous shot by Malan.
Valletta had another golden opportunity on the 52nd minute. It was a brilliant action started by Luke Montebello who made a good run and then opened to Santiago Malano, but the Argentinian’s low effort, finished wide.
Paul Zammit introduced Velasco and Radzinevicius to bolster their attack, and they managed to equalise on the 74th minute when Maximiliano Velasco hit home from close range after a header by Radzinevicius. But the draw only lasted a minute, as Birkirkara were given a penalty after a foul by Romao on Dimitrov. From the penalty spot, Edward Herrera made no mistake.
But after Valletta appealed for a penalty on Luke Montebello, they equalised again ten minutes from time, as Velasco took advantage from an indecision by the Birkirkara defence, and beat Bonello with a powerful shot.
This goal gave Valletta new stimulus, and pushed for the winner in the final minutes. They had two opportunities in the last minutes, first from Michael Mifsud, a shot that finished well over the bar, and then in the stoppage time, Bonello slipped in an action addressed to Luke Montebello, but his effort finished over the bar.
PEMBROKE A.............1
TARXIEN R..................1
Pembroke: M. Calleja Cremona, D. Falzon, M. Attard, S. Racic, A. Borg, Z. Levnaic, I. Roppas, G. Nagaoka, U. Akuto, E. Nartey, T. Fenech
Tarxien: P. Schranz, E. Baker, M. Brincat (A. Agius 74’), E. Marcelina, J. Galea, D. Ponce de Leon, A. Nilsson, A. Azzopardi (D. Micallef 74’), A. da Paixao, M. Tabone, S. Borg
Yellow Cards: J. Galea 27’, E. Baker 63’ (T), M. Calleja Cremona 72’, I. Roppas 77’ (P)
Red Card: I. Roppas 86’ (P)
Scorers: S. Racic 64’ pen (P), A. Azzopardi 73’ pen (T)
Referee: Glen Tonna
Assistant Referees: Peter Abela, Theodore Zammit
TMI Top 3: 1. A. da Paixao Alves (T) 2. D. Ponce (T) 3. Z. Levnaic (P)
BOV Player of the match: Alex da Paixao Alves (Tarxien Rainbows)
By Stewart Said
Before the game, most of the spectators preluded a low level match. In fact, the game stood up to this prediction as Pembroke and Tarxien Rainbows finished in a 1-1 draw, in a disappointing game that was played only to honour the fixture.
Pembroke are looking destined to be relegated, while Tarxien are safe and playing the last matches even without a coach, as captain Triston Caruana is serving also as the coach of the team, sacrificing his playing time.
Tarxien’s first action came after four minutes, as from a corner by Ayrton Azzopardi, defender Ebiabowei Baker rose above his opponents, but his header from a central position finished over the bar. Another occasion by Tarxien rose on the 20th minute with a powerful low shot by Matthew Brincat that was saved by Matthew Calleja Cremona.
The game continued on a very low key and till the end of the first half, there was only one action to note. Tarxien could have done better on the 40th minute when Alex da Paixao Alves passed back to Alex Nilsson, but the striker’s shot from an ideal position couldn’t hit the target.
Daniel Ponce tried his luck on the 48th minute with a shot from the edge of the box, but his effort finished off target. Fourteen minutes later, the Rainbows had another effort, this time after a cross from the left by Sacha Borg, Julian Galea chested the ball to Alex Nilsson, but again his effort didn’t trouble Calleja Cremona.
But a minute later against the run of play, Pembroke were given a penalty as Baker fouled Stevan Racic in the penalty area. From the spot, Racic put Schranz on the right and the ball on the left to open the score.
Tarxien’s reaction arrived five minutes later with a shot by da Paixao Alves that finished over the bar. But five minutes later, referee Glen Tonna ordered a penalty after a foul by Zoran Levnaic on da Paixao Alves. Ayrton Azzopardi made no mistake from the spot with a low central shot.
After the equaliser, Tarxien continued to search for the winning goal, but they only had two dangerous. First a shot by da Paixao Alves was punched by Calleja Cremona, and three minutes later a shot by Ponce, finished off target.
BALZAN FC - 2
ST ANDREWS - 1
Balzan: C. Cassar, B. De Oliveira, M. Lepovic (M. Piciollo), B. Kaljevic (A. Effiong), R. Fenech, L. Micallef (A. Nafti), C. Brincat, S. Bezzina, E. Serrano, A. Souza, T. Agius
St Andrews: J. Galea, B. Che (N. Belacevic), K. Kesinovic, M. Johnson, E. Beltre’, D. Camilleri, J. Farrugia, I. Paz (J. Walker), Z. Kastrevec (F. Udoh), A. Friggieri, K. Nwoko
Referee: F. Zammit
Asst.refs: C. Francalanza, S. Attard
Additional asst.refs: M. Degabriele, J. Utulu
4th official: T. Debono
Scorers: B. Kaljevic 63, J. Farrugia 90+ pen, E. Serrano 90+
Yellow cards: I. Paz, D. Camilleri, C. Brincat, R. Fenech, C. Cassar, M. Johnson
Red cards: B. De Oliveira, R. Fenech
Player of the match: B. Kaljevic (Balzan FC)
TMI top 3: 1. R. Fenech 2. E. Beltre’ 3. A. Souza
SILVIO VELLA
Balzan left it until deep into stoppage time to score a dramatic winner, against resilient St Andrews, and keep their slim hopes alive as they ended the match with nine men.
It was a frantic finale as the upper reaches of the BoV Premier League will remain a fun, zippy, if at times oddly unsatisfying, for afternoons such as these.
Balzan had taken the lead after the hour through Bojan Kaljevic, his fourth goal in these last three matches, and looked heading to a narrow win until deep into four minutes of added time, St Andrews equalised through a Joseph Farrugia penalty, soon after Ivan Paz had missed one.
But they were left deeply disappointed when Balzan managed to clinch a winner on 97 minutes through their defender Elkin Serrano to take the points.
St Andrews had thumped bottom side Pembroke 6-0 the previous week but their team initially found similar dominance elusive yesterday against a determined Balzan side who made five changes from the one that lost to Birkirkara. Goalkeeper Janjusevic, as well as Dylan Grima, De Barros, Alfred Effiong and Piciollo were all dropped with Christian Cassar playing in goal, Clive Brincat in central defence, as De Oliveira moved wide on the right, Terence Agius started in front of the defence, with Lydon Micallef and Milos Lepovic supporting Kaljevic in attack.
Starting brightly, Balzan forced a series of corners and had a Micallef goal rightly disallowed for an offside.
As they settled more into the game, St Andrews very nearly took an early lead when a Beltre free kick, past the quarter hour, was headed by Che towards the far post but keeper Cassar recovered in time to turn the ball into a corner.
Staying composed, St Andrews restricted their opponents to only half chances.
Midway through the half, Balzan went close to opening the scoring when Souza played a through ball that beat the Saints’ offside trap, but Kaljevic, with only the goalkeeper to beat, completely missed the target.
Balzan began upping, and controlling, the tempo after the interval. As they held more to possession,there were shots by De Oliveira and Souza from a distance and when Micallef dropped the ball in the path of Ryan Fenech, he shot wide.
Short of the hour Piciollo went in for Lepovic and Balzan broke the deadlock on 63 minutes. On an Agius free kick from the left, Bojan Kaljevic flicked the ball in with his knee.
To their credit, the Saints still found time to threaten after falling behind.
A Paz direct free kick from the edge of the area was blocked by the Balzan wall.
St Andrews carved out another good opportunity on 78 minutes. On a Paz cross from the right, Nwoko’s firm header was tipped over the bar into a corner by keeper Cassar.
But the Saints’ best chance to level matters came five minutes from time. The Balzan keeper felled Camilleri inside the area to concede a penalty but Paz lofted the ball over the bar.
After Balzan had failed to put the match to bed in the dying minutes, as Souza skied the loose ball after an Effiong effort was blocked by keeper Galea, St Andrews were handed another lifeline deep into four minutes of added time. They were awarded a second penalty, this time after De Oliveira pulled down Nwoko inside the area. Joseph Farrugia tucked it away to draw level. The Balzan defender was sent off.
Even with a man down and a couple of added minutes remaining, Balzan summoned enough energy to win the game. Other substitute Nafti played a low cross from near the byeline on the right, Effiong miskicked his effort which fell to Elkin Serrano to hit in from close range. In the process, Ryan Fenech was also shown the red card.
Frustration was written all over St Andrews’ faces at the final whistle.
HIBERNIANS - 2
GZIRA UNITED - 0
Hibernians: A. Hogg, R. Soares, J. Lima, M. Dias, J. Bezzina (D. Vella), C. Failla, B. Kristensen, Jorginho (D. Boljevic), J. Degabriele (M. Jallow), G. Ribeiro, A. Agius
Gzira U: Jurgen Borg, Jacob Borg, C. Gatt Baldacchino, S. Diamoutene, I. Azzopardi, M. Avila Perez (D. Falzon), C. Reyna, I. Adeshina, L. Zome, Z. Scerri (A. Machedo Neto), G. Conti
Referee: S. Pace
Asst.refs: E. Spiteri, P. Apap
Additional asst.refs: S. Spiteri, D. Agius
4th official: M. Borg
Scorers: Jorginho 11, G. Ribeiro 39
Yellow cards: I. Adeshina, D. Falzon
Red card: L. Zome
Player of the match: G. Ribeiro (Hibernians)
TMI top 3: 1. G. Ribeiro 2. M. Dias 3. G. Conti
Attendance: 1080
SILVIO VELLA
With Balzan winning earlier, and Valletta playing Birkirkara concurrently at Ta’Qali, Hibernians proved similarly mercurial, not to mention hungry, on an afternoon when the excellent Gilmar Ribeiro and friends left Gzira chasing shadows.
The Paolites won this with a display of physical, clinical football that gave them another vital three points and keeps them firmly at the top, five points above Balzan, in their fight for the championship. Their goals came both in the first half through Jorginho and Gilmar Ribeiro.
There was so much to enjoy about this performance, particularly the zip, movement, flicks and incision while their defence was never really troubled.
Gzira tried to weave their patterns in the second half but they looked powder-puff and they sank without trace, especially after they had Zoma sent off 12 minutes from the end.
Former Hibernians player Andrew Cohen was one of four players dropped by coach Darren Abdilla for yesterday’s match. He was presented with a bouquet by the Hibernians’ fans prior to kick off but he watched the match from the bench. The others were keeper Anthony Curmi, Karl Pulo and the suspended Corbolan.
But even the return of Ian Azzopardi in defence could not hold the Paolites’ initial flurry.
For the first 45 minutes, Mark Miller’s side, unchanged from their dramatic comeback against Floriana the previous week, looked bigger, stronger and sharper than their opponents.
Bezzina had his shot tipped over the bar by keeper Jurgen Borg after hardly one minute. A Ribeiro goal bound effort was cleared off the line by the Gzira defenders as Hibernians were imposing themselves on thsi contest from the outset.
Not surprisingly they took the lead after 11 minutes. Degabriele played the ball wide to Jorginho, who progressed down the right to beat keeper Borg.
And before the quarter hour a Jorginho cross shot from the right was tipped into a corner by the Gzira shot stopper.
A Soares looping header clipped the bar with the ball scooped into safety as Hibernians held the initiative.
Past the half hour, Degbariele advanced inside the Gzira area. His shot was footed out by the goalkeeper. And when Jorginho was put clear through the middle by Bezzina, his lob over the onrushing keeper missed the target.
Gzira looked menacing for the first and only time on 34 minutes. Conti played a short pass inside the Hibernians area to Adeshina, who was blocked by keeper Hogg.
A second goal five minutes later, rubberstamped Hibernians’ dominance and gave them a comfortable cushion by halftime. Gilmar Ribeiro beat keeper Borg with a defiant strike from outside the area on the left.
Gzira were compelled to do the running in the second half although Hibernians’ coach Miller wanted his team to keep the boot on the opponents’throat.
Hibernians were soon to regain control. Past the hour Kristensen opened up for the advancing Degabriele whose effort was palmed out by keeper Borg.
Gzira effected a double substitution on 66 minutes, putting in Dyson Falzon and Machedo Neto.
Soon after a Failla free kick for Hibernians ended narrowly wide with Gzira fluffing a good opportunity on 71 minutes. Zome hit horrendously over a low Conti cross from the left as Gzira continued to disappoint in the final third.
To make matters worse for the Maroons, Zoma was sent off on 78 minutes for an off the ball incident with Failla.
Gzira rarely offered even a hint of composure therafter. Ribeiro could have even added a thrid goal in the dying minutes but his low effort was held by defender Gatt Baldacchino with the help of the post.
But Hibernians had been long home and dry.