Birkirkara 2

Tarxien R 3

Tarxien Rainbows defied the odds to beat Birkirkara in an exciting game and move above Hamrun Spartans, on equal points with Marsaxlokk, in eighth place in the Premier League standings.

This defeat might have come as a surprise for Birkirkara who had been on the ascent since Paul Zammit took over as coach and were favourites for victory yesterday, especially after their win against Floriana in the previous game. They thus missed the chance to go third.

This was Tarxien’s second win on the trot under the guidance of coach Patrick Curmi, formerly with Birkirkara.

Tarxien’s game outpowered Birkirkara’s for most part of the second half, especially after the Rainbows went 3-2 ahead on 67 minutes, and they also contrived to miss a late penalty through Daniel Bueno.

Brazilians Galvao and Suguino were always a threat with the pacey runs from the flank and through the middle and Galvao’s clinical finish, scoring a brace, severely punished the Stripes, who were let down by some erratic goalkeeping from Jorge Mora.

Tarxien created the first opportunity after only two minutes on the clock. Galvao played a through ball to Pulo who opted for a square pass but Suguino failed to follow the action and the chance went to waste.

Birkirkara, who were bereft of the suspended Angus Buhagiar, broke the deadlock on four minutes. Rowen Muscat ran in to connect on Vella’s testing cross from the left to steer the ball beyond keeper Cassar’s reach.

The Tarxien keeper footed out Cilia’s shot as he ran down the right flank before Tarxien threatened with a Suguino free kick, tipped over the bar by keeper Mora.

The early fireworks soon evaporated though, until Cilia’s direct free kick from the left ended straight in the hands of keeper Cassar.

Past the half hour Tarxien drew level. Rodrigo Galvao controlled the ball with his back towards the Birkirkara goal and turned quickly to beat keeper Mora with a stunning strike.

Both sides kept going forward. Cilia tested keeper Cassar with another shot on the run and on the other end Galvao ran past Zerafa through the middle but lobbed the ball out.

In tit-for-tat situations, Suguino’s shot was blocked by Mora and Vella’s shot on Cilia’s deep cross from the right was turned into a corner by the Tarxien shot stopper before halftime.

The second half eclipsed the first in terms of entertainment. After an Avila shot was blocked by keeper Cassar, the Birkirkara defence conceded Tarxien’s goal on 55 minutes. Keeper Mora missed the flight of the ball on Suguino’s corner and the ball hit defender Pereira and rolled over.

Birkirkara summoned enough effort to hit back on 64 minutes. Fenech’s shot was blocked by the Tarxien defenders. The ball rolled towards Moises Avila who scored with a rising shot from the edge of the small box from the left.

Birkirkara increased their efforts. Cilia ran inside the area, grounded the keeper but Giglio cleared his goal bound effort on the line.

The goal came at the other end though. Suguino provided the cross for Galvao to head in, hitting the innerside of the post.

The tide shifted dramatically in Tarxien’s favour after that. On an Everton Pereira long cross, Galvao shot wide from an ideal position. Galvao continued to terrorise the Birkirkara rearguard. On 73 minutes his shot rebounded off the post. Suguino’s header on the loose ball was deflected into a corner.

With six minutes remaining, Tarxien were awarded a penalty when keeper Mora pushed Galvao to the ground when being challenged by Rodolfo Pereira. The Birkirkara keeper made up for that by saving Daneil Bueno’s penalty kick.

It was therefore still anybody’s game in the final hectic minutes, with Birkirkara going desperately for a draw and Tarxien defending grimly. One minute from full time, Avila’s shot was parried by keeper Cassar who again saved the second effort from Shodija who had gone in as a late substitute.

Birkirkara failed to salvage at least a point.

Birkirkara J. Mora, R. Muscat, D. Perisic, J. Zerafa, A. Decesare (L. Grech), T. Cilia, R. Pereira (S. Shodija), G. Sciberras, P. Fenech, M. Avila, T. Vella

Coach P. Zammit

Tarxien R D. Cassar, C. Sammut, M. Caruana, E. Pereira, S. Giglio, R. Galvao (L. Galea), K. Pulo (J. Vella), D. Bueno, O. Anonam, G. Suguino (A. Carabott), J. Grioli

Coach P. Curmi

Referee A. Azzopardi

Asst.refs D. Sultana, R. Vella

4th official C. Lautier

Scorers R. Muscat 4, R. Galvao 31, 67, R. Pereira 55, M. Avila 64

Yellow cards G. Suguino, S. Shodija, J. Mora, T. Vella

Player of the match Rodrigo Galvao (Tarxien R)

TMI top 3 1. R. Galvao 2. G. Suguino 3. P. Fenech

Attendance 1,492