Birkirkara-Sliema W. 2-0

It was a sour end to a year that regaled so much to Sliema Wanderers. In yesterday’s Super Five Cup final the holders were beaten by rivals Birkirkara, conceding two early second half goals from which they never recovered.

In truth, Sliema had the better of a tight first half but once Birkirkara began to employ the long-passing game, exploiting the pacey runs of their forwards, the Wanderers’ lumbering rearguard was caught out with two goals of similar execution. The champions have proved vulnerable of late and yesterday they were punished by Birkirkara’s togetherness and work ethics.

Birkirkara fielded an unchanged side from the one which beat Marsaxlokk in the semi-final, meaning that Mifsud Triganza started on the bench while Briffa and Zahra were not included in the squad.

Sliema made some changes as the still unfit Mattocks was dropped and Farrugia was preferred to Adrian Mifsud in their starting line-up. Akanji was back in goal while Anonam also returned to the side after missing the semi-final against Hibernians. Miguel Mifsud started the match but his presence lasted only 18 minutes as he was injured and forced to quit, making way for Lombardi. Laferla and Giglio were still absent for the Wanderers as Mangion sat on the bench as Turner played in a midfield role.

Both teams came into the game with some sort of form. That between them they had won the last three editions of this competition, might have suggested that another intriguing and uncertain final was in the offing.

Sliema were the first out of the blocks and looked slightly better in the initial stages. On five minutes Doncic ran in to connect on Brincat’s free-kick from the left but his harmless flick was saved by keeper Haber. Brincat whacked another powerful free-kick right into Haber’s safe hands after Camenzuli had miskicked Nwoko’s short free-kick at the other end.

Sliema went closest midway through the half when Anonam’s low cross from the left was flicked by Farrugia over Haber’s outstretched body but Camenzuli cleared off the line with the Sliema forwards claiming the goal.

With the Wanderers well over their opponents, Turner’s powerful drive brought a smart save from Haber.

Birkirkara threatened on 38 minutes when Lino Galea played a long ball forward to Mallia, who beat the Sliema defence but shot feably and allowed Akanji to turn the ball into a corner with some strife.

Sliema ended the first half on the offensive. Two Brincat free-kicks yielded no dividends and a Doncic headed effort was blocked by the keeper to maintain equilibrium by half-time.

That was broken six minutes after the re-start. A long Camenzuli free-kick beat the static Sliema defence and the unmarked Adrian Ciantar hit a left-foot half volley right at the top left corner of the helpless Akanji. Five minutes later, with Sliema still trying to regroup themselves, Ciantar provided a perfect through ball to Michael Galea who was blocked by Akanji into a corner.

But Birkirkara did not take long to deliver the second blow. Towards the hour, the irrepressible Haruna Doda, playing with a heavily bandaged thigh, pounced on Monye’s long ball forward. His faster pace took him past Debono on the run to beat Akanji with a low drive.

Doda was susbtituted with Mifsud Triganza shortly afterwards.

With the balance of power shifting dramatically in Birkirkara’s favour, Sliema were down to a stern test of nerves. Their reaction, however, failed to produce any worrying threats for their opponents as Sliema looked impotent. The nearest they went was when Brincat took a free-kick with splendid power, pivoting his shot none too high over the bar.

At the end Birkirkara ran out worthy winners as a Mallia effort from the right, five minutes from time, thumped against the bar, saving Sliema from further derision.

After the match, Michael Galea and William Camenzuli were presented with the trophy – Birkirkara’s third win in the competition.

Birkirkara: J. Haber, MA Bonnici (R. Sammut), L. Galea, P. Monye, W. Camenzuli, H. Doda (JP Mifsud Triganza), M. Galea, C. Nwoko (A. Tabone), L. Dronca, G. Mallia, A. Ciantar.

Sliema W: M. Akanji, J.Brincat, A. Muscat, B. Said, D. Debono, N. Turner, D. Doncic, J. Farrugia, J. Chetcuti, O. Anonam, M. Mifsud (L. Lombardi)

Referee: C. Lautier Asst. refs: A. Camilleri, N. Debattista 4th official: L. Sammut

Scorers: A. Ciantar, H. Doda

Yellow card: L. Dronca