The 2010/11 domestic season was off to an explosive start on Saturday as fierce adversaries Birkirkara and Valletta locked horns in the BOV Super Cup final at the National Stadium.

A slow-burning encounter conjured up an enthralling finale with Valletta hitting the winning goal in the dying seconds of extra-time and only moments after Birkirkara had restored parity at 2-2 despite being down to 10 men.

Joseph Okonkwo crowned his debut for the Citizens by netting the decisive goal. The Nigerian striker, signed on a season-long loan from Dingli Swallows on Friday, had replaced Terrence Scerri, scorer of Valletta’s opening goal in the first half, late in the second period.

Valletta had had enough chances to wrap up the match long before Birkirkara captain Michael Galea brought his team level late in the game and forced extra-time.

A similar scenario unfolded in the second half of the additional 30 minutes with the champions, who had Karl Pulo dismissed for two bookable offences, making it 2-2 thanks to Trevor Cilia after Omonigo Temile had put the Citizens ahead seven minutes from the end.

Jesmond Zerafa, the Valletta coach, acknowledged that his team almost paid the price for their failure to take their chances but had only praise for the performance which gave him the first trophy since he took over from Ton Caanen earlier this summer.

“I’m delighted, not only because we’ve won the Super Cup but moreso about the commitment and determination shown by my players,” Zerafa told The Times.

“They kept going, never giving up even after Birkirkara twice came back to level matters. My players showed great belief and their efforts were rewarded with that last-gasp goal.

“Every football match produces its moments and episodes. We created several scoring opportunities but credit should be given to their goalkeeper (Ezequiel Lovizon) because he had a great game.

“Birkirkara were rarely dangerous but they did well to convert the chances that came their way. Nonetheless, I’m pleased that, despite conceding two goals, we still managed to score in the most crucial phase of the game.”

Okonkwo, who was Dingli Swallows’ top marksman in the Premier League last season, only had a couple of training sessions with the Citizens before Saturday but Zerafa’s decision to name the Nigerian in his squad was vindicated.

“It was not an easy decision to include Okonkwo in the squad because he has only been with us for a few days,” Zerafa said.

“But with the injuries we had, I had to take a risk. Okonkwo did well to score the winner but it’s not difficult for a good player to do well for us because this team has got great potential and there is unity in the squad.

“The players made Okonkwo feel at ease from his first day of training and he has repaid them with an important goal.”

Early days these may be but Saturday’s game went some way towards justifying the status of Birkirkara and Valletta, who made it eight Super Cup triumphs, as likely contenders for the league title.

“Consistency is the key,” Zerafa replied when asked to give his views on Valletta’s title chances.

“On the evidence of our performance on Saturday, I’d think that Valletta have to be regarded among the main challengers for the title but we have to keep our feet grounded.

“There are other teams who have good qualities and they deserve respect.”

Saturday’s absorbing contest was scarred by the post-match skirmish involving some Birkirkara players and Valletta officials and fans. Tempers flared when the Birkirkara players walked past a host of Valletta officials on way to receiving their medals as the losing finalists of the BOV Super Cup.

“We had no control over the incidents that occurred in the VIP area,” Zerafa said. “I strongly deplore the clashes which put a damper on a spectacular match.

“I’m pleased with the behaviour of my players after the match. They stayed calm and heeded our advice not to get involved in the scuffles as that would only have compounded matters.”

VIP brawl

In condemning the brawl between some of his players and the Valletta officials, Birkirkara coach Paul Zammit called for stricter guidelines as to which persons are granted access to the VIP areas of local stadia.

“Firstly, these incidents are unacceptable,” Zammit said. “If we really want to raise the profile of Maltese football, we need to do more to avoid a repeat of such incidents.

“I don’t think anybody expected to witness such scenes, especially in the VIP zone where the people are expected to lead by example.

“I think the authorities must check who’s being allowed to enter the VIP area. My players had to walk through a throng of Valletta officials and fans and this only served to heighten the tension.

“Nevertheless, I unreservedly deplore the clashes that took place after the match.”

Birkirkara were understandably gutted to lose a final in the dying seconds but Zammit declared himself “overly satisfied” with his team’s showing.

“Valletta had more possession but we played well, especially when considering that we had a number of important players missing,” Zammit said.

“I had to bring on two inexperienced youngsters during a tense final. We were playing against the best team, on paper, but I’m overly satisfied with our performance. Before they scored the first goal, Valletta had rarely threatened us.

“Tactically, I had to deploy players in unusual positions because we were short on numbers.

“We made mistakes in the first two goals scored by Valletta but that’s always the case in football. We have to address those shortcomings over the next few weeks but we will also take many positives from this match.

“I thought we improved in the second half and the players showed remarkable fighting spirit and resilience. Obviously, you can’t help but feel disappointed about the result because we lost the match in the last seconds but I’m extremely pleased with our performance.”

Zammit sees Valletta as the greatest threat to Birkirkara’s title defence bid but he’s also keeping a watchful eye on the other teams.

“Definitely, Valletta will emerge as one of the main contenders for the championship,” Zammit said.

“From our side, we’ve kept the core of last season’s title-winning squad and our aim is to produce another strong challenge but it will not be easy. We have to be vigilant and wary of the other teams as they will be tough opponents.

“I’m not expecting another two-horse race for the title because the indications are that the league is going to be more balanced this season.”

Meanwhile, Zammit hopes to add a defender to his squad this week. Brazilian centre-half Leandro da Silva has not been offered a permanent deal due to doubts over his fitness.

Birkirkara currently have another two foreign defenders on trial, Serbian Djuro Jandric and Scot Ryan Harding.

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