Ten-man Stripes back in title race

Sliema Wanderers 1
Birkirkara 3

Birkirkara served notice of their intent to rejoin the title race yesterday when they had the better of championship hopefuls Sliema Wanderers in their opening Championship Pool match.

The 3-1 scoreline might convey the impression that Birkirkara had it all too easy but this was not the case.

Dave-Amed Sylla's well-taken double in the opening 27 minutes appeared to have set Birkirkara on their way to a comfortable victory against the lacklustre Sliema but in the space of a minute, the Stripes suffered a double blow as Sliema were awarded a penalty and defender Emil Yanchev was sent off.

Their determination to hang on to their win was certainly bolstered by Omar Borg's save on Ivan Woods penalty but Birkirkara still had to endure some anxious moments before Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, who had come on for the injured Sylla, administered the killer injection a minute from time.

All things considered, Birkirkara thoroughly merited their win yesterday, one that lifts them above Sliema into third place on 17 points.

A notable absentee from Sliema's starting XI yesterday was Malta striker Etienne Barbara who was named among the substitutes. Right-back Alex Muscat, veteran midfielder Noel Turner and Brazilian forward Carlos Ventura were sidelined by injuries.

John Buttigieg, the Birkirkara coach, had to make do without three of his most experienced players, captain Michael Galea and Lino Galea, who were injured, and George Mallia, suspended.

Sliema shaded the early exchanges but they unexpectedly found themselves one goal in arrears after 11 minutes.

After a free-kick by Alan Tabone had been deflected away for a corner, the ensuing set-piece cross from Adrian Ciantar sparked a melee in the Sliema box and Sylla was on hand to lift the ball past Murphy Akanji.

Although both teams kept faith with a four-man defence, their tactical configuration was different yesterday.

Stephen Azzopardi, the Sliema coach, favoured a 4-2-3-1 formation with Andre Rocha Da Silva and Matthew Bartolo operating behind lone striker Ivan Woods while Buttigieg chose a 4-4-1-1 approach with Sylla leading their forward line.

Danger loomed for Sliema when the pacey Sylla got on the end of a quick counter-attack and ran towards goal but Branko Nisevic stopped the Ivorian's progression by flicking the ball away for a corner.

The Wanderers' reprieve was momentary though as Shaun Bajada's cross from the corner flew past the static Sliema defence and into the path of Sylla who prodded past Akanji.

Sliema looked shell-shocked but close to the half hour mark, they appeared to have received a double boost. Roderick Bajada was tripped by Yantchev in the box and referee Anton Zammit promptly pointed the spot to shouts of disapproval from the Birkirkara players and supporters.

Worse was to follow for Birkirkara as Zammit brandished the red card to expel the Bulgarian defender in what looked like a harsh decision. Woods took responsibility for the penalty kick but his effort brought a fine save from Borg who managed to touch the ball onto the post and kept Birkirkara's two-goal lead intact.

Towards the end of the first half, both coaches effected a substitution. Azzopardi withdrew right-back Ian Ciantar, who replaced the injured Muscat, in favour of midfielder Orosco Anonam while Buttigieg's first change was enforced on him by the injury sustained by Sylla who was carried away on a stretcher. His place was taken by Mifsud Triganza.

At the start of the second half, Barbara replaced Nisevic for Sliema, a move aimed at bolstering the Blues' chances of breaking down Birkirkara's defence.

Less than two minutes after the restart, Sliema dragged themselves back in contention, Woods atoning for his penalty miss by driving the ball past Borg after the Stripes' defence had failed to clear a pass from the left.

Bajada then did well to force his way into the penalty area but his concluding shot lacked accuracy.

Sliema continued to drive forward but they found it hard to translate their superior possession into chances.

The second half was near the halfway point when Sliema threatened to level the score on at least three occasions.

Da Silva released Barbara inside the penalty area but the Sliema striker hit wide from an inviting position. Seconds later, Roderick Briffa was first to Bartolo's cross but his header came off the woodwork. Sliema managed to get the ball back into the goalmouth but Woods's header flashed wide.

The incoming Julian Vella might have equalised for Sliema when he dived to meet a cross by Barbara but his header was blocked.

The Stripes gained in confidence as the second half gathered pace and a minute from time, they all but secured the three points, Mifsud Triganza beating Akanji from close range after receiving from Bajada.

Sliema: M. Akanji-4, B. Said-5, B. Nisevic-5 ('46 E. Barbara-5.5), M. Scerri-6, A. Rocha Da Silva-5 ('75 J. Vella), R. Bajada-6.5, M. Bartolo-6.5, J. Chetcuti-6, I. Woods-5, I. Ciantar-4.5 ('42 O. Anonam-5.5), R. Briffa-5.

Birkirkara: O. Borg-6.5, T. Paris-6, P. Fenech-6, A. Tabone-6, M. Anastasi-5 ('47 L. Lombardi-5), R. Hartvig-6.5, S. Bajada-6.5, J. Zerafa-6, D. Sylla-6.5 ('43 J. Mifsud Triganza-5), A. Ciantar-6 ('71 A. Zahra-5.5), E. Yanchev.

Referee: Anton Zammit.

Scorers: Sylla 11, 27; Woods 47; Mifsud Triganza 89.

Missed penalty: Woods (S) 31.

Yellow cards: Chetcuti; Barbara.

Red card: Yantchev (B) 30.

BoV Player of the match: Davy-Amed Sylla (Birkirkara).

Next fixtures
Sunday (Hibs Ground): 1.30 p.m. Hibernians vs Msida SJ; 3.30 p.m. Marsaxlokk vs Sliema W.
Monday (National Stadium): 6 p.m. Floriana vs Hamrun Spartans; 8 p.m. Birkirkara vs Valletta.