Mifsud Triganza's goal cements Birkirkara's second spot

Hibernians 0
Birkirkara 1

The duel between Birkirkara and Hibernians to land second spot in the table and direct access to the UEFA Cup took a significant twist yesterday.

Toiling hard to overcome the psychological blow dealt by their unexpected 3-1 midweek slip-up to Marsaxlokk, Birkirkara took some time to settle down against Hibs who were also after the three points to steal a march on their opponents and keep their slim title hopes alive.

The game seemed heading for a goalless draw which would have certainly brought further delight for Sliema but Birkirkara's second-half improvement bore fruition in the shape of a solitary goal by Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza.

His intervention capped a particular day of football which is likely to be most remembered for the decisive impact made by players who entered the fray as substitutes.

Ian Zammit had set the tone of the afternoon when notching a quick hat-trick for Valletta.

Birkirkara and Hibs struggled to infuse a semblance of creativity into their approach in the early exchanges, their optimism undoubtedly sullied by Sliema's 4-1 demolition of Floriana on Friday. After 16 minutes of scrappy football, a dangerous cross-shot from Hibs' left-back Roderick Baldacchino was palmed over the bar by Justin Haber.

Capitalising on a Birkirkara mistake in the middle, Ndubisi Chukunyere carried the ball forward with typical menace as Lucian Dronca and Precious Monye retreated in their attempt to protect Haber's goal. Chukunyere elected to pass to the advancing Adrian Mifsud but his feeble cross was intercepted by Haber.

With speedy players like Chukunyere, Antoine Zahra and Mifsud now showing a greater will to use their talents in creative fashion, Hibernians intensified their forays.

As is the norm when these two teams are in town, their form fluctuates during the game.

As the Paolites' mid-half flurry fizzled out, Birkirkara enjoyed the better of the exchanges in the latter part of the opening period.

Essien Mbong, the Hibs midfielder, can count himself lucky not to have committed an own-goal when he completely miscued Michael Galea's cross just in front of Mario Muscat's goal with the ball squirming wide of the near post. On the stroke of half-time, William Camenzuli's low shot rebounded off the post.

With less than two minutes of the second half gone, Zahra, of Hibs, danced his way past a clutch of defenders but his dipping volley sailed just over.

The clouds hovering over Ta' Qali had produced occasional downpours in the first half but the rain fell more heavily after the restart.

A Baldacchino corner from the right fell in the goalmouth but Andrè Schembri's headed attempt was deflected away to corner.

Eleven minutes into the second half, Birkirkara's first substitution drew a warm applause for their unusually quiet fans. The motif of their enthusiasm was the comeback of Malta international Roderick Briffa who has been sidelined for several months due to groin injuries. He replaced Lino Galea.

Birkirkara claimed penalty when Galea's shot was waved away by Adrian Pulis but referee Marco Borg allowed play to continue.

The Stripes' faithful were again up on their feet to voice their disapproval when Antoine Zahra was at the receiving end of a late tackle by Mbong. This time, the free-kick was given and the Hibs midfielder received a caution for his misdemeanor.

Azzopardi's earlier decision to bring on striker Mifsud Triganza instead of Ciantar mirrored his intent to give some bite to his team's attack.

Twenty-one minutes from time, Mifsud Triganza made his mark on the game.

Birkirkara were awarded a free-kick some four metres outside the penalty area, Zahra's rasping shot brought off a great save from Muscat but the ball was retrieved by Galea who floated it back into the goalmouth where Mifsud Triganza bundled it into the net despite Baldacchino's last-ditch bid to block the ball.

Birkirkara were now carving through the unbalanced Hibs defence with more frequency.

Their attacking verve was abetted by the introduction of Briffa whose bold incursions down the right posed an added cause of concern for Hibs. Terence Scerri came on for Adrian Mifsud soon after Birkirkara's breakthrough as Gatt sought to lend some weight to his side's forward line.

After having a powerful attempt parried by Haber midway into the second half, Chukunyere was again denied by the Birkirkara no.1 10 minutes from time.

Andrew Cohen came off the bench to replace Antoine Zahra. Hibs' pressure increased as the minutes ticked away, Pulis lifting the ball from a goalmouth scramble and Chukunyere having another shot saved by the reliable Haber.

Aftermatch quotes...

Robert Gatt: "We are obviously disappointed about this upset. It was a close game. A draw would have been a fair result, I guess.

"Fear of losing had both teams opting for prudence at first but the tempo picked up as the game progressed. We played a solid game in defence and midfield and also created some good scoring chances. But, our strikers' pursuit of personal glory did not help our cause.

"Our title chances are over but second place remains a target for us."

Stephen Azzopardi: "This was a good result for Birkirkara. I was satisfied with the character my players showed today. It was not easy for them given the difficulties we had in our build-up.

"It was vital for us to take the three points and consolidate our position in the standings. I had said before the match that our chances amounted to 25 per cent to win the league. That has still not changed.

"It is hard to catch up with Sliema but the remaining three games could be difficult for them if they face opponents with a right attitude and determination."

Hibs: M. Muscat-7, P. Pullicino-5, A. Pulis-6, A. Xuereb-6, C. Paiber-7, A. Schembri-6, E. Mbong-4, A. Mifsud-5 ('69 T. Scerri-5), N. Chukunyere-6, A. Zahra-7 ('82 A. Cohen), R. Baldacchino-6.

Birkirkara: J. Haber-7, L. Galea-5 ('56 R. Briffa-7), P. Monye-7, W. Camenzuli-7, M. Galea-6 ('83 C. Micallef), C. Nwoko-7, L. Dronca-6, K. Scicluna-6, G. Mallia-6, A. Ciantar-6 ('62 J.P. Mifsud Triganza-7), A. Zahra-7.

Referee: Marco Borg.

Scorer: Mifsud Triganza 69.

Yellow Cards: L. Galea; Xuereb; Mbong; Schembri.

MIA Player of the Match: Antoine Zahra (Birkirkara).