RABAT AJAX 1
BIRKIRKARA 2
Rabat A: P. Velimirovic, I. Carapic, J. Caruana, S. Gauci, J. Felice (J. Bajada), C. Gauci, M. Licari, D. Falzon, D. Pelaez, D. Azzopardi
Birkirkara: J. Haber, A. Mendoza, Z. Muscat, R. Camenzuli, F. Temile, P. Fenech, G. Sciberras, R. Muscat (J.P. Mifsud Triganza), S. Shodiya (K. Zammit), E. Herrera, D. Toure’(R. Scicluna)
Referee: P. Caruana
Asst.refs: M. Scerri, S. Attard
4th official: F. Zammit
Scorers: F. Temile 6, 45, M. Licari 30
Yellow cards: C. Gauci, D. Azzopardi, E. Herrera
Player of the match: F. Temile (Birkirkara)
TMI top three: 1. F. Temile 2. D. Toure’ 3. J. Caruana
A brace from their new recruit Frank Temile ensured Birkirkara’s Premier League season got off to a winning start against lowly Rabat Ajax on the opening day at Ta’ Qali National Stadium yesterday.
It sealed a deserved three points for the champions, who had been the better side for most of the contest. However, the game lacked real goalmouth action despite the evident gulf in class between the two sides and it was only in the late stages that the Stripes really threatened to make the final score reflect their true superiority.
Having achieved survival last season, Rabat, under new coach Steve D’Amato for the new campaign, gave a good account of themselves although they absorbed a lot of pressure and were hardly ever creative.Their squad has been trimmed with the signing of new goalkeeper from Montenegro Pavle Velimirovic and Spanish midfielder Dani Palaez.
Other new acquisition from Mosta, Jonathan Bajada, was used as a second half substitute. Until the transfer of Spanish forward Moises Avila Perez is finalised, Rabat yesterday had Justin Felice playing in attack, supported by Diego Carilla Pendas and Malcolm Licari from the flanks.
Their defence was the weakest link though and judging on yesterday’s performance, they need urgent reinforcements.
Birkirkara raked several crosses from both flanks inside the Rabat area, causing many uncomfortable moments for the Rabat defenders, who struggled to cope with the power and pace of Demba Toure’, Shola Shodiya and Frank Temile. The latter, in particular, proved a handful, often the target for driven balls from deep and crosses out wide. He demonstrated his pace and perseverance with two well taken goals, the first of the new season. Rowen Muscat and Gareth Sciberras dictated procedures for the champions in midfield and Rabat could rarely venture into enemy territory for the first 45 minutes.
The deadlock was broken after six minutes as Birkirkara, already more threatening, had Toure’ delivering a cross from the left and Frank Temile ran in well through the middle to beat the Rabat keeper with a low flick.
Although Birkirkara kept dominating possession, with Sciberras and Shodiya spurning their efforts from decent-looking opportunities, Rabat surprisingly had the ball into the Birkirkara net on the half hour after they won a free kick in midfield. Palaez sent a floating ball inside the area and Malcolm Licari beat keeper Haber with a glancing header.
Birkirkara did not lose their composure and after going close with a Toure’ header on a Temile cross, they restored the lead on the stroke of halftime. Herrera lobbed a high ball towards the middle. Temile volleyed past keeper Velimirovic with perfect coordination and precision .
The pattern of the game did not change much in the second period. Birkirkara remained dominant, toyed with their opponents but were far from penetrative. Two notable substitutions at each end past the hour did little to up the slow tempo. Rabat introduced Jonathan Bajada on 65 minutes on the flank, with Felice making way and Licari moving in the centre. Birkirkara’s response three minutes later saw them change Rowen Muscat with Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza. A couple of tame shots on target kept Velimirovic the busier goalkeeper.
Four minutes from time, the Rabat keeper palmed out Shodiya’s powerful shot and Birkirkara were twice denied by the woodwork in the dying minutes. Shodiya’s drive rebounded off the foot of the post and Mifsud Triganza’s effort hit the crossbar to save Rabat from further derision.
The Magpies could only show up with a couple of Palaez free kicks, which were capably dealt with by the Birkirkara rearguard. There were claims for a penalty ignored by the referee in the late stages, when Licari was bundled inside the area by Zach Muscat. Birkirkara will surely be more severely tested at the back in the coming weeks.