Birkirkara-Sliema W. 6-0

 

Birkirkara: J. Haber, Z. Muscat, N. Vukanac, M. Bissi, R. Camenzuli, R. Muscat, P. Fenech (K. Zammit), R. Scicluna, E. (A. Borg) , S. Haruna Shola, J. (F. Temile).

Sliema W.: A. Muscat, J. Borg, K. Farrugia (G. Aquilina), J. Mintoff, M. Scerri, S. Ohawuchi, G. Zammit, A. Podda (I. Woods), T. Cilia (A. Xuereb), M. Muchardi, S. Bianciardi.

Referee: P. Caruana

Asst refs: A. Camilleri, E. Spiteri

Additional asst. refs: A. Mario Sant, M. Borg,

4th official: M. Spiteri

Scorers: S. Shodiya 3, J. Benites, R. Camenzuli, M. Bissi,

Yellow cards: S. Ohawuchi, J. Benites, A. Xuereb,

Player of the match: S. Shodiya

TMI Top 3: 1. S. Shodiya, 2. J. Benites, 3. R. Scicluna

Attendance: 1,514

 

 

 

Birkirkara made sure of returning to the top place in the Premier League yesterday after a crushing 6-0 win against a very poor Sliema side.

The Stripes have thus re-opened a two-point gap over rivals Valletta as the chase for the title intensifies in the last two rounds.

And on yesterday’s first half performance, I wonder who can stop Paul Zammit’s outfit which was in devastating form yesterday.

Both sides had some players missing. The Stripes had the two Zerafas, Joe and Daniel, Alejandro Mendoza as well as captain Gareth Sciberras while Sliema were without Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Ivan Woods, Admir Vladavic, Beppe Muscat and Paltemio Barbetti.

Birkirkara had a definitely brilliant start in response to Valletta’s win against Mosta the previous day which had put the citizens temporarily on top.

Birkirkara exposed all Sliema’s weaknesses at the back in the opening 15 minutes. By then, Shodiya and Jhonnattann mesmerised the Blues defence scoring three excellent goals without reply.

They continued to dictate matters and added two further goals before the interval to make sure of their win.

It was a complete dominance from the Stripes who confirmed their strength in depth with four relative youngsters in their starting line-up – Zach Muscat, Ryan Camenzuli, Ryan Scicluna and Rowen Muscat. In the second half, with the result assured, two others, Kurt Zammit and Antoine Borg, were also given their chance.

On the changeover, the Stripes relaxed their hold on the match, but they were still good enough to add another goal to their tally.

In the final 45 minutes, Sliema enjoyed a lot of possession but the Stripes were so much in command that they were never allowed to test Haber seriously except on one occasion when they were awarded a penalty – the only real chance the Blues had of scoring throughout the 90 minutes.

Birkirkara took the initiative early and managed to take the lead in the fifth minute. From a Benites freekick, the ball was cleared wide where Shola Shodiya controlled and fired it home.

Five minutes later it was 2-0 after a splendid counter attack. Mintoff lost the ball in midfield and Shola Shodiya could advance unhindered to pass to Benites for the Brazilian striker to slide the ball past the onrushing Zammit. 

As if that was not enough, the Stripes struck again in the 14th minute. It was another fine move with Ryan Scicluna passing to Benites who transferred the ball to Shola Shodiya for the latter to beat Zammit once again.

And in another Birkirkara attack, Sliema’s collapse continued as from a Benites corner, the ball was cleared out to the edge of the area, where Ryan Camenzuli fired a fine rising shot which gave Zammit no chance.

In the 34th minute, Zammit intercepted a dangerous cross from Scicluna. At the other end, in their only shot at goal, it was Ohawichi who lifted the ball well over the bar from a freekick.

The demoralised Wanderers seemed to be offering no resistance and it was no surprise that Shodiya obtained his hat-trick in the 40th minute, scoring his side’s fifth goal after an excellent pass from Ryan Scicluna.

Before the interval, Trevor Cilia had a freekick going wide in another very rare effort from Sliema.

Birkirkara reduced their rhythm in the second half allowing Sliema to take the initiative, though with absolutely no success.

On the hour, however, Sliema had their chance to score a consolation goal when they were awarded a penalty after Ohawuchi was floored in the area. But they were denied by Justin Haber who saved Ohawuchi’s central effort from the spot.

And it was Birkirkara who scored again as Matheus Bissi headed home from a Jhonnattann Benites corner to make it 6-0.

Sliema’s humiliation was complete.