City capture BOV Super Cup
Birkirkara players, Valletta officials involved in post-match skirmish
BIRKIRKARA-2 VALLETTA-3
(after extra-time; 90 mins – 1-1)
Valletta got their season off to a flying start as they won the BOV Super Cup after beating rivals Birkirkara 3-2 after extra-time.
The Citizens looked set for victory after taking the lead through Terrence Scerri in the first half but Birkirkara levelled through Michael Galea 10 minutes from the end to send the game into extra-time.
More drama followed in extra-time as Valletta scored first in the second half, Birkirkara equalised again despite being down to 10 men but the Citizens had the final say when debutant Joseph Okonkwo headed home the winner at the death.
The dramatic finale proved too much for some as a scuffle broke in the VIP zone involving Birkirkara players and Valletta officials.
Scoring chances were scarce in the opening 20 minutes as the two teams had trouble finding their usual rhythm. Birkirkara created the first scoring opportunity when Paul Fenech passed to Michael Galea who ran forward before released Trevor Cilia.
The Birkirkara winger, a key figure in his team’s title success last season, nipped behind the Valletta defenders but goalkeeper Andrew Hogg sprinted out of goal and pushed away Cilia’s attempt to take the ball past him.
Valletta’s response came midway through the first half when Brazilian forward Denni moved past Patrick Borg but his diagonal shot was beaten away by Ezequiel Lovizon, the Birkirkara goalkeeper. Ian Zammit’s cross from the resultant corner was met by Jamie Pace but the midfielder’s header ended just over.
With the game now showing signs of coming to life, Valletta came close to taking the lead when Pace dashed past Angus Buhagiar and fired a strong shot that Lovizon blocked.
Argentine winger Emiliano Lattes, who was making his debut for Birkirkara, tried to surprise Hogg with a long-range drive but the Valletta goalkeeper diverted the ball away for a corner.
The improving Valletta forged ahead five minutes from half-time. Latching onto a through-pass from Denni, Terrence Scerri beat Birkirkara’s offside trap and chipped the ball over the on-rushing Lovizon.
Just before the half-time break, Scerri blasted over from an angled position.
One-nil down, Birkirkara pushed forward at the start of the second half and troubled Valletta with a string of crosses which were fisted away by Hogg.
At the other end, Roderick Briffa hit a dangerous shot after picking up a loose ball but his effort was deviated for a corner.
Lovizon, the Birkirkara goalkeeper, then had to come out of goal to block the run of substitute Dyson Falzon. Valletta stayed in command but Lovizon denied them a second goal with a series of excellent saves from Pace, Scerri and Denni.
Valletta continued to attack, Gilbert Agius lifting his shot over the bar after receiving from Falzon.
The Citizens’ failure to take their chances returned to haunt them when Birkirkara levelled matters against the run of play thanks to Michael Galea’s well-hit shot.
Galea’s equaliser sent the game into extra-time as the score remained 1-1 at the end of the regular 90 minutes. Eight minutes into extra-time, Nigerian forward Joseph Okonkwo, making his first appearance for Valletta, sped clear on the right but his pass was cleared by Birkirkara.
Valletta forged ahead on 13 minutes thanks to Temile whose first-time volley sailed past Lovizon after Birkirkara failed to clear Kevin Sammut’s corner.
After a brief pause, caused by the unexpected entrance onto the pitch of a terrified kitten, Birkirkara, who had been reduced to 10 men after substitute Karl Pulo was sent off for two yellow cards, equalised in the dying stages thanks to Cilia’s excellent volley after Valletta had hit a post through Okonkwo.
Penalties loomed but in a final twist, Valletta scored the winner in the very last minute, Okonkwo heading Steve Borg’s cross past Lovizon.
As Birkirkara players made their way into the VIP zone to receive their medals, a skirmish broke out. Birkirkara players and Valletta officials came to blows but the police and security officers stepped in to calm the situation.
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Jonathan Spiteri
Aug 23rd 2010, 16:16
Angli m'ahniex sur Farrugia, imma ahna ghall-inqas ma nahbux idejna wara li ngaraw il-gebla! Saqsi lil dawk li bdew iwaddbu l-fliexken hekk kif il-players taghna kienu tilghin it-tarag ghall-midalji (u ma nafx tiftakarx is-semi final tat-trophy tat-2008 meta gew igaraw il-gabel), filwaqt li kien hemm uhud minna bqajna hemm biex incapcpulhom avolja tilfu. Jien inkun lest anke ncapcap lil players taghkom talli rebhu, imma n-nuqqas ta' rispett li turu lill-avversarji taghkom ma jhallinix naghmel hekk!
Clinton Farrugia
Aug 23rd 2010, 08:38
Fil-futbol u fil-hajja ta' kuljum minn jaghmel reazzjoni ghandu l-istess htija bhal li kieku ghamilt ir-reat. Toqghodux tilghabuha tad-dojjoq Karkarizi ghax angli intom m'intomx. Nfakkarkom biss li meta 'hadtu' l-league fil-VIP dahhaltu ammont essegerat ta' nies. Nfakkarkom ukoll li qabel ma bdiet l-ahhar loghba tal-kampjonat xi nies min taghkom (kienu lebsin kostum partikolari) hebbew ghal membru tal-kumitat taghna huwa u diehel Ta' Qali. U tibqghux taghmluha t'angli ghax meta taghmlu loghba shiha toffendu bil-missirijiet intom tkunu.
Tghidu x'tghidu u taghmlu x'taghmlu....City capture BOV Super Cup minghajr l-ebda xamma ta' foul play!!!!!
G.Hili
Aug 23rd 2010, 07:46
@ Birkirkara Supporters
Ask Vukanac, Bajada and Fenech what happened?
Ask them who spit, who offended and who kicked our officials!?
What did you expect? That our officials remain staring at your players?
Always trying to play the innocent part of the show! Imsieken!
Tough Luck Stripes.. The tradition goes on.. NO FINALS WON AGAINST THE MIGHTY CITY!
Well Done Whites! A game we should have won with a big margin, wasn't for their goalkeeper Lovizon!
Karmenu Borg
Aug 22nd 2010, 21:58
Festa sabiha ta' Santa Liena u gawdejniha. Il-festi tal-Belt, festini zaghar hdejn taghna. Kellna festa kbira ohra xahrejn ilu. CHAMPIONS. Illum intkom rega ghandkom festin zghir. JEKK NIBQGHU SEJRIN HEKK, BOMBA !
micallef david
Aug 22nd 2010, 19:21
It is not nice to react but it is more serious to provoke especially the players who has just lost a final in extra-time. The photo on the sunday tells a lot and shows a lot. Is it possible that all those people were valletta officials? no, who were they and how did they enter into the vip area? I hope that the new MFA president will take all necessary action to protect the players in similar circumstances in the future.
Tony Mizzi
Aug 23rd 2010, 00:35
Right, I hope that the new MFa President take action.
The players should be role model. The Bkara players were just boxers. Apart from youthes fighting against old people, or at least in their 50s is much easy. Cowards do these actions !!!! THey should know MUCH BETTER. Thus, a competent association should suspend those persons.
Granted, also those persons who were involed in the scuffled shoundn't be allowed in the VIP area.
G. Mangion
Aug 22nd 2010, 16:52
Answer is Valletta F.C won the B.O.V super Cup !!!
Means the great city Lion had busted the held out of the so called b'kara champioms !!!
The proud ones forever.
Jonathan Spiteri
Aug 22nd 2010, 16:40
Our players would have never reacted in that manner if not provoked. Although they came out on the losing side, they can never allow anyone the stamp on their pride!
g.gatt
Aug 22nd 2010, 18:28
Shame on you defending the rudeness of your players.Those are professionals????? Please MFA take action
r.ciantar
Aug 22nd 2010, 15:38
@Mr.Spiteri & Mr.Attard
So your players shouldn't be ashamed ?
Joseph Darmanin
Aug 22nd 2010, 14:29
Grazzi talk-awguri taghkhom vera kellna festa tajba u kbira u sabiha bl-ikbar tazza maghna il-lig!! Haddiehor ha wahda zghira imma ahna l-kbira!
Il-festa t-tajba lil huti l-karkarizi kollha .. Ahna mhawnx bhalna!!
BIRKIRKARA CHAMPIONS
dusty williams
Aug 22nd 2010, 17:49
... u allahares kienu jezistu aktar ...
G.Gatt
Aug 22nd 2010, 14:24
Well done WHITES WE DESERVE IT !!!!! ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL AND THE TRADITION CONTINUES.Happy feast stripes
Glenn Borg
Aug 22nd 2010, 12:32
GRAZZI STRIPES, KBURIN BIKOM.
Grazzi ghax-xewqat sbieh GHAX REGA GHANDNA FESTA TAL-GENN U BAHAR TA NIES!!
Issa nattendu ghall-ahhjar marc flimkien mat-tazza tal-LEAGUE meta sirna CHAMPIONS MIN FUQKHOM IL-BELTIN.
FORZA BIRKIRKARA, DEJJEM F'QALBNA
oliver dalli
Aug 22nd 2010, 11:20
il festa tajba b kara l ewwel unur gol kapitali ta malta :)
Ivan Attard
Aug 22nd 2010, 11:09
Well done Stripes. We shall keep our best to make them cry in the important part like last season! And Valletta's supporters and 'officials' should be ashamed of their behavior which shows how much hurt they still carry from the famous loss of the war last May!!!
The police should take action.
r.ciantar
Aug 22nd 2010, 10:40
Happy feast dear stripes
C E Taliana
Aug 22nd 2010, 10:05
Well done City.... and to our beloved Stripes.... well done you've done your Champions crown a real honour.
Not one win in an official match so far.... KEEP IT UP!
paul borg
Aug 22nd 2010, 11:34
irbahna fl-ewropa (champions league). li l mighty valletta m ghamlux. check your facts before you speak!!!!!!
Marvic Psaila
Aug 22nd 2010, 20:18
Yeah right...Mr Paul Borg, check the facts before you speak! Click on: http://www.vallettafc.net/history/uefa-competitions.html and you'll get the actual facts.
Marvic Psaila
Aug 22nd 2010, 09:26
Thumbs up to the boys in the white shirt! You left your marks in this game too. Well Done boys!
B'kara managed to equalise the first goal and the second goal but not the third one!
Whites let's now focus on the Mare Blu Cup........Let's bring another honour to the City.
C.R. Taliana
Aug 22nd 2010, 09:16
Well Done Whites
Jonathan Spiteri
Aug 22nd 2010, 01:40
Still Proud of you Yellows, we faught till the very end, managing to equalise with a man down.
Shame on Valletta 'supporters' (outvoiced druing large stretches of the game, their decibel level only rises when they score a goal, as for the rest its only the brass band that is heared) who threw missiles towards Birkirkara players while climbing the VIP steps to collect their medals. this, together with some unethical behaviour by certain Valletta Officials, led to the skirmish mentioned in the article.
May I ask where the police were during the incident...probably too troubled by the few dozens Birkirkara Supporters who remained theres to applaud their players despite the defeat!
Emmanuel Caruana
Aug 21st 2010, 23:38
Il-Festa it-tajba ta' B'Kara.
Noel Hili
Aug 21st 2010, 22:54
Forza Valletta City .... l-Ahjar Team F'Malta. L-Ewwel Unur ghal gol-Belt :)
Prosit Whites. Ergajtu urejtu L-Karattru tal-Qalb Beltija.
Grazzi mil-qalb Sur Victor.