Tarxien Rainbows 0
Birkirkara 1
Jhonnattann 66;

Birkirkara’s afternoon was getting somewhat complicated. They had come into their encounter with Euro hopefuls Tarxien Rainbows high on confidence after their 2-0 defeat of Valletta but, for much of the first half, Birkirkara were unrecognisable from the team that overpowered the champions.

The second half was panning out in much the same vein as the first with the deteramined Tarxien causing their erratic opponents problems.

Brazilian forwards Andrezinho and Leandro threatened to put Tarxien in the driving seat with dangerous shots that went wide before Birkirkara coach Paul Zammit introduced Nigerian Shola Shodiya Haruna and switched from 3-5-2 to 4-3-3.

These changes had the desired effect as, within minutes of entering the fray, Haruna provided the assist for Jhonnattann to score what turned out to be the winning goal midway into the second half.

Having betrayed signs of uneasiness before forcing a breakthrough, Birkirkara settled after Jhonnattann’s goal, coming close on a couple of occasions to sealing their success with a second goal.

That would have been too harsh on the Rainbows who had given their all to record their first positive result against the leaders this season, after two heavy defeats in the championship and a narrow loss in the cup.

Even after falling behind, Tarxien refused to wilt as they continued to press forward in search of an equaliser but Jhonnattann’s goal clearly left them with a mountain to climb as the Stripes closed ranks to hold out for a win that cements their grip on top spot and keeps them on course to win the title.

As was to be expected, Zammit fielded the same formation that started the victory over Valletta.

The tactical strategy was also the same as Zammit stuck with 3-5-2, Brazilian Jhonnattann partnering Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza in attack.

Tarxien were buoyed by the return of Serbian defender Branislav Timotic, who replaced the suspended Manuel Caruana, with Justin Grioli stepping in for the flu-stricken Orosco Anonam.

Coach Clive Mizzi opted for an all-Brazilian front line as Andrezinho and Daniel Mariano Bueno played either side of Leandro with Grioli assigned an advanced position on the right wing.

The game was off to a low-key start. Tarxien were first to threaten when Andrezinho crossed for Bueno who headed just wide.

The Rainbows produced the first cohesive move of the match after 12 minutes. Leandro showed some deft footwork to retain possession just outside the area before passing to Bueno who promptly released Grioli but the latter’s grounder was wide.

Tarxien’s brisk approach will have raised their fans’ optimism of breaking their Birkirkara jinx.

The sight of the nippy Andrezinho making a strong tackle to dispossess Mifsud Triganza epitomised Tarxien’s early resolve to give their more-quoted opponents a good run for their money.

Zammit was forced into his first substitution after 21 minutes as captain Gareth Sciberras, who has been struggling with a groin injury, was unable to continue.

His place was taken by Ryan Scicluna who went on to position himself behind the front duo with Rowen Muscat dropping back to flank Paul Fenech in central midfield.

Birkirkara were a pale shadow of the team that rattled Valletta in their last outing as they looked short of flair and inspiration for much of the opening half-hour.

It was not before the 28th minute that Edward Herrera embarked on a good run on the right but his teasing cross was cleared by Ryan Sammut.

At the other end, Steve Bonnici headed over from Bueno’s cross.

Six minutes from half-time, Birkirkara fashioned a half-chance when Jhonnattann’s set-piece cross was met by Nikola Vukanac at the far post but the Serbian’s header was high and wide.

As the end of the first half drew closer, Birkirkara began to impose themselves on the game but Tarxien held firm.

Tarxien midfielder Roderick Bajada tried his luck with a shot from outside the penalty area but his effort sailed over the bar.

Inside the opening two minutes of the second half, Nicky Vella, the Tarxien goalkeeper, stopped a long-range drive by Jhonnattann.

After their unconvincing showing in the first half, Birkirkara needed to inject a dose of urgency and vigour into their game to break down the erstwhile solid Rainbows.

Brazilian defender Rodrigo Pereira failed to locate the target after getting on the end of Jhonnattann’s corner.

The best chance came Tarxien’s way when Leandro raced into the box from the left before squaring to Bueno who miscued his flick.

Jhonnattann badly mishit his free-kick while, on the hour, Birkirkara goalkeeper Justin Haber saved Bueno’s header from Carlo Mamo’s cross.

The Rainbows maintained the momentum.

When Alejandro Mendoza surrendered possession in midfield, Tarxien broke forward with speed as Bueno freed Andrezinho who summoned a powerful shot that sailed wide of the far post.

Leandro was also wide as Tarxien’s choking pressing continued to force Birkirkara into making mistakes.

Mindful of his team’s troubles to penetrate Tarxien’s rearguard, Zammit unleashed Haruna who replaced Pereira.

The Nigerian forward made an instant impact as, midway into the second half, he slipped a perfect through-ball to Jhonnattann who rammed his shot through Vella’s legs and into the net.

Galvanised by their opener, Birkirkara pushed on.

Mifsud Triganza volleyed over after connecting with Haruna’s cross from the right.

With 19 minutes remaining, Sammut kept Tarxien in the game when blocking Jhonnattann’s goalbound effort after the Rainbows had been caught on the counter. Jhonnattann then drove wide after receiving from Mifsud Triganza.

As the game entered the final five minutes, Herrera dashed into the box but his rising shot flew high.

In stoppage time, Birkirkara came close to doubling their lead.

Fenech, one of their best players yesterday, picked out Jhonnattann as Tarxien left themselves exposed at the back. Luckily for the Rainbows, goalkeeper Vella rushed out of his goal to nudge the ball away from the Brazilian.

Tarxien’s last-ditch efforts yielded a chance for Timotic who lofted the ball high before Jhonnattann set off another surging run on the counter but his concluding effort was wide.

Tarxien Rainbows
N. Vella-5.5, C. Mamo-6, A. Agius-6 (82 D. Fenech), Andrezinho-7.5, R. Bajada-6, Leandro-6.5 (90 C. Fenech), J. Grioli-6 (59 M. Tanti-5.5), R. Sammut-6.5, D.M. Bueno-6, B. Timotic-6, S. Bonnici-6.

Birkirkara
J. Haber-6, E. Herrera-6.5, N. Vukanac-6, A. Mendoza-6, J. Zerafa-6, R. Pereira-6 (63 S. Haruna-6), R. Muscat-6.5, G. Sciberras (22 R. Scicluna-6), P. Fenech-7.5, Jhonnattann-7, J.P. Mifsud Triganza-5.5 (82 Z. Muscat).

Referee: Esther Azzopardi.

Yellow cards: Fenech; Agius; Timotic; Bajada.

BOV player of the match: Jhonnattann (Birkirkara).