Birkirkara 2
Avila 13; Cilia 86 Pen;
Qormi 0
It’s hard to glean significant pointers from the opening match of a new season as the players are still rusty after months of hard training.
This was evident yesterday as Birkirkara and Qormi struggled for continuity but the Stripes did just enough to get their league trek off to a winning start.
When Spanish debutant Moises Avila Perez put Birkirkara ahead after just 13 minutes, it looked as though the former champions were set for an easy win as Qormi initially looked disjointed.
To their credit, Qormi were a much livelier side in the second half but their failure to convert one of the few clear chances they created didn’t aid their cause as Birkirkara reasserted their authority in the closing stages.
Birkirkara’s starting XI featured five new signings, namely Spanish goalkeeper Jorge Mora, Brazilian defender Rodrigo Pereira, Avila and Maltese players Gareth Sciberras and Leighton Grech.
Stephen Azzopardi, the Qormi coach, handed a starting role to veteran defender Jeffrey Chetcuti who filled the left-back position. Newcomers Dino Cachia and Jorge Da Silva Pereira were also in Azzopardi’s initial formation.
Matthew Bartolo threatened to give Qormi an early lead but his grounder was pushed away by Mora.
Qormi manufactured another good move thanks to Jorge who cut inside from the left before releasing Bartolo. The former Sliema winger tried to play a return pass to his Brazilian team-mate but his attempt was blocked by the alert Mora.
From the possibility of going one up, Qormi found themselves a goal down after 12 minutes. Rowen Muscat, yesterday sporting the captain’s armband, sent an inviting ball into the area where Avila capitalised on Steve Wellman’s hesitancy to lift the ball over Matthew Farrugias.
The Stripes would have extended their lead but for a fine save from Farrugia who smothered away Alan Tabone’s well-struck shot after Trevor Cilia had made a penetrating run down the left.
Cilia’s diagonal drive rolled just wide on the half-hour mark as Birkirkara seized control after their opener.
Qormi adopted cautious strategy with Roderick Sammut, Steve Wellman and Chris Karamanolis crowding the central defensive area.
This tactic was aimed at limiting the space for Birkirkara’s attacking trio but it left Qormi bereft of protection in midfield.
Creative football was at a premium in the latter stages of the opening half but Qormi almost equalised as Jorge’s free-kick flashed wide of the far post. Late on, the Brazilian’s cross-cum-shot was repelled by Mora.
Early in the second half, Cilia unlocked the Qormi defence with a charging run from the right but he shot against the side-netting.
Qormi squandered a glorious chance to get back on level terms when Joseph Farrugia’s through-ball took a deflection and dropped to Bartolo who sped through the static Birkirkara defence only to fire wide with only Mora to beat.
The industry of Qormi’s defensive personnel was providing a platform for Jorge and Bartolo to put more pressure on Birkirkara.
On one occasion, a good Qormi move involving four players ended with Farrugia shooting high and wide.
Encouraged by his team’s progress, Azzopardi made an attacking change, bringing on Abubakar Bello-Osagie for Chetcuti.
A strong shot from Cilia whistled over the bar as Birkirkara laboured to regain the initiative.
With 11 minutes remaining, Farrugia denied Birkirkara a second goal as he deflected Avila’s close-range attempt away for a corner.
Five minutes from time, Birkirkara wrapped up the issue. They were awarded a penalty after Karamanolis nudged Avila off the ball and Cilia made no mistake from the spot.
Birkirkara: J. Mora-6.5, R. Pereira-5.5, G. Sciberras-6.5, T. Cilia-7, A. Tabone-6 (73 T. Vella), A. Decesare-6, M. Avila-6.5 (90 R. Scicluna), L. Grech-5 (81 R. Camenzuli), J. Zerafa-6, A. Buhagiar-6, R. Muscat-6.
Qormi: M. Farrugia-6.5, J. Chetcuti-6 (69 A. Bello-Osagie-5), R. Sammut-6, M. Bartolo-6.5, J. Farrugia-6, C. Karamanolis-6, G. Chircop-5 (76 L. Sciberras), D. Cachia-5.5 (83 C. Sammut), J. Bondin-5, Jorge Pereira-6.5, S. Wellman-5.
Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.
Yellow cards: Pereira; Farrugia; Zerafa; Bondin; Chetcuti.
BOV player of the match: Trevor Cilia (Birkirkara).
Next fixtures
Today (Hibs Stadium 6.30 p.m. Marsaxlokk vs Mosta; 8.30 p.m. Floriana vs Mqabba.
Tomorrow (National Stadium 6.30 p.m. Balzan Youths vs Ħamrun Spartans; 8.30 p.m. Valletta vs Tarxien Rainbows