Wounded Stripes alive and kicking

Sliema Wanderers 1
Lima Sequeira 12
Birkirkara 4
Galea 28 pen, 36; Vella 45; Lattes 90

Birkirkara are the masters of the triumph in adversity. Beset by the absence of several key players, the Stripes appeared to suffer another hammer blow when, barely six minutes into their opening Premier League match against Sliema Wanderers, goalkeeper Ezequiel Lovizon was stretchered off after he sustained a hand injury.

To compound matters for the weakened champions, the Blues quickly capitalised on Lovizon’s exit by storming ahead after 11 minutes but those who thought that Birkirkara would throw in the towel were in for a big surprise.

Drawing on the resilience that propelled them to the league title last season, the Stripes not only wiped out Sliema’s opener but had the three points sewn up by the end of the opening half after striking three goals in the space of 27 first-half minutes.

A late goal by Emiliano Lattes crowned a hard-earned win for the champions who, judging by their extraordinary comeback yesterday, will take some beating this season.

As for Sliema, they did enjoy a sprightly start but they were swept off their feet by the never-say-die Stripes who deserved to be serenaded with chants of ‘champions, champions’ by their grateful fans.

In addition to the suspended quintet of Shaun Bajada, Paul Fenech, Nikola Vukanac, Karl Pulo and Patrick Borg, Birkirkara coach Paul Zammit also had to make do without midfielder Alan Tabone, out with a broken hand, while Dutchman Sylvano Comvalius was released.

The last-minute signing of Maltese-Australian midfielder Simon Zahra, who played for Blacktown Spartans, alleviated Zammit’s selection problems as the 28-year-old was handed his first start for the Stripes yesterday. Also making their first appearance for the champions yesterday were Scottish defender Ryan Harding and Terence Vella.

Sliema included no fewer than six foreign players in their squad yesterday with new Brazilian signing Jackson Lima Sequeira given his debut by coach Mark Marlow.

Missing for the Blues yesterday were Alex Muscat and Roderick Bajada, who are recovering from cruciate operations, Steve Bezzina who has an abdominal problem and Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza who was unavailable.

After two minutes, Sliema’s Clayton Failla tested Ezequiel Lovizon’s alertness with a stinging drive from outside the area which the Birkirkara goalkeeper fisted over the bar.

The danger was not over for Birkirkara as Failla’s outswinging cross from the ensuing corner was met with a glancing far-post header by Josef Mifsud. The Sliema defender’s effort sailed past Lovizon but Trevor Cilia was on the right spot to head the ball away.

Birkirkara were dealt an unexpected setback on five minutes when Lovizon picked up what looked like a serious hand injury after colliding with Miguel Ciantar. The Stripes goalkeeper was carried off on a stretcher and into the waiting ambulance that took him to hospital.

Having replaced Lovizon after seven minutes, Manuel Bartolo endured a frustrating introduction as his first intervention was to pick the ball from the net. On 11 minutes Obiefule made headway in the Birkirkara box before releasing Jackson Lima Sequeira who unleashed a diagonal drive that beat Bartolo.

The Blues threatened to heap further misery on their shattered opponents close to the 20th minute mark. Failla’s cross from the right spread panic in the Sliema box as Bartolo dashed off the line in an attempt to punch the ball away. Bartolo’s half-clearance landed at the feet of Miguel Ciantar who hit a first-time grounder but the Birkirkara goalkeeper repelled the danger with his feet.

On 20 minutes, Birkirkara finally had something to cheer about. They were awarded a penalty after Cilia’s cross from the right came off Souare’s outstretched right hand. Captain Michael Galea despatched his shot into the low right-hand corner.

The momentum was with Birkirkara now. A swift, cohesive move by Zammit’s resilient troops almost yielded a second goal as Galea slipped a through-ball to the steaming Cilia who arrowed a stinging drive towards goal but Szentperi pulled off a fine save to thwart the Birkirkara winger. Sliema sighed with relief but theirs was a temporary reprieve.

With nine minutes of the first half remaining, Emiliano Lattes, yesterday gunning against the club he had initially joined this summer, produced a curling free-kick that Szentpeteri saved but could not hold. Galea showed his predatory instincts by stroking the ball into the net from close range.

Birkirkara were in command now. Their optimism soared when the effervescent Cilia ran through on goal only to be tripped by Mark Scerri who was cautioned for his offence. The ensuing free-kick, taken by Lattes, whistled past a post.

Birkirkara hit their third goal on the brink of half-time. Lattes profited from more hesitant defending by Sliema but charging clear on the left before delivering a centre for Vella who poked the ball home.

Early in the second half Sliema came close to scoring when Mintoff’s cross from a corner was partially cleared by Birkirkara, the ball was diverted back towards the six-yard box where Obiefule headed goalward but Cilia was again on hand to hook the ball away.

Needing a goal to revive their hopes, Sliema brought a sense of urgency to their endeavours but Birkirkara held firm. Midway into the second half, another incisive raid by Birkikara saw the improving Lattes pick out Vella who fired a first-time shot but Szentpeteri saved.

Sliema’s hopes of forcing their way back into contention evaporated when Mintoff was expelled with three minutes left after a late challenge on Decesare earned him a second booking.

In injury time, Birkirkara pressed home their numerical advantage, Lattes capping a lively performance by guiding his shot through Szentpeteri’s legs after receiving from Galea.

Next Fixtures (National Stadium)

Friday: 19.30 - Hibs vs Valletta.
Saturday: 17.00 - Vittoriosa Stars vs Qormi; 19.00 - Birkirkara vs Floriana.
Sunday: 17.00 - Ħamrun Spartans vs Tarxien Rainbows; 19.00 - Marsaxlokk vs Sliema.

Sliema Wanderers
V. Szentpeteri-6, J. Mifsud-5, S. Souare-5, M. Scerri-5, M. Ciantar-5 (71 N. Turner-4), C. Gatt Baldacchino-5, J. Lima Sequeira-6, O. Obiefule-6.5, J. Mintoff-5.5, B. Muscat-4 (62 J. Paris-5), C. Failla-6.

Birkirkara
E. Lovizon (8 M. Bartolo-6), S. Zahra-5.5, R. Harding-6, R. Muscat-7, A. Decesare-6, T. Vella-6 (85 R. Scicluna), T. Cilia-8 (81 T. Paris), E. Lattes-6.5, J. Zerafa-6, M. Galea-8, A. Buhagiar-6.5.

Referee: Marco Borg.

Yellow cards: Lima Sequeira; Souare; Zahra; Mintoff; Scerri; Decesare.

Red card: Mintoff (S) 87.

BOV player of the match: Trevor Cilia (Birkirkara).