Birkirkara 3
Shodiya 20; Vukanac 43; Avila-Perez 90;
Floriana 1
Licari 34;

The gloves are off.

On this evidence, the fight for a European passport promises to be as gripping as the title race itself as Birkirkara yesterday pulled level with Floriana in third place after overcoming the Greens 3-1.

The Stripes had flattered to deceive for much of the opening five months of the season but they appear to be hitting their stride at the best time as this was their third win on the spin.

Floriana came into this match in high spirits after their stout display in the derby but this time they were outfought and outwitted by a fired-up Birkirkara.

Birkirkara coach Paul Zammit limited himself to one change from the 3-1 win over Ħamrun as Rodrigo Pereira, back from suspension, reclaimed a starting role.

Veteran Malcolm Licari deputised for Ivan Woods who was among the substitutes as the Floriana forward has yet to fully shake off a knee injury.

The Stripes faced an anxious moment inside the opening minute as Alandson found himself unmarked inside the box but his effort was blocked by Reuben Gauci who then produced a smart save to fist Pablo Doffo’s free-kick over the bar.

Birkirkara were quick to respond. Shodiya surged through but the on-rushing Jansen nudged the ball away from the Nigerian. Scicluna retrieved possession and returned the ball to Shodiya who miscued his attempt from an angled position.

Zammit’s troops gained a measure of control as the first half moved on. Bajada’s cross was met by Pereira whose header was blocked by Jansen but, close to the 20th minute mark, Birkirkara nosed ahead.

Floriana were found wanting at the back as Shodiya jinked along the edge of the box before drilling a low shot past Jansen.

The Greens were having problems coping with Shodiya’s swift incursions.

Alandson fluffed a great chance to level matters when John Mintoff’s floated pass found him unmarked but the Brazilian skewed his attempt.

The Greens fans shook their heads in frustration but their spirits rose when their team equalised on 34 minutes.

Doffo’s free-kick sailed towards the far post and Akoto’s header cannoned off the bar. The loose ball landed in the goalmouth and Licari nodded home.

That goal was expected to imbue Floriana with renewed confidence but this was not forthcoming. Instead, it was Birkirkara who regained the lead, Nikola Vukanac hitting home with a glancing header from Bajada’s free-kick.

Woods immediately introduced Christian Caruana for Duncan Pisani and repositioned Licari as right-back. Just before half-time, the Greens were let off the hook when Jorge sped into the box and squared to Scicluna who hit badly from a glorious position.

The Greens clearly needed to improve every aspect of their performance if they were to bounce back into contention. Caruana went close but his piledriver drew a fine save from Gauci.

Birkirkara felt they should have had a penalty when Jorge fell after being challenged by Akoto but the referee signalled for play to continue. Moments earlier, Woods entered the fray for Floriana, taking the place of Clyde Borg.

Scicluna had another excellent chance to get on the scoresheet as Jorge’s pass found the young midfielder in ample space but his drive smacked against the far post.

Now brimming with forwards after Andre Grabowski replaced Doffo, Floriana thought they had equalised when Woods’s cross arrowed towards Akoto but his header whistled past the post.

More misery befell Floriana as Micallef was expelled after earning a second booking for a late challenge on Jorge with seven minutes left.

And two minutes later, the Greens finished with nine men when Akoto was shown a straight red for what the referee deemed to be a two-footed tackle on Ryan Camenzuli... a decision that inflamed Floriana who were clearly not happy with the referee’s performance yesterday.

Even with nine men, Floriana pressed for an equaliser but they were caught out at the back late on. Jorge galloped into the box before releasing Moises Avila-Perez who deposited the ball into the net.

Birkirkara
R. Gauci-7, R. Scicluna-6.5 (77 R. Camenzuli), R. Pereira-7, N. Vukanac-7, J. Zerafa-6.5, A. Buhagiar-6.5, G. Sciberras-6.5, P. Fenech-6.5, S. Bajada-7, Jorge-7 (90 J.P. Mifsud Triganza), S. Shodiya-8 (87 M. Avila-Perez).

Floriana
P. Jansen-5.5, E. Akoto, O. Bugeja-4, J. Mintoff-6.5, P. Doffo-5 (65 A. Grabowski-5), M. Micallef, Alandson-4, D. Pisani-4 (44 C. Caruana-5), J. Borg-4, C. Borg-5 (54 I. Woods-5), M. Licari-6.

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.

Yellow cards: Zerafa; Micallef; Akoto; Vukanac.

Red cards: Micallef (F) 83; Akoto (F) 85.

BOV player of the match: Shola Shodiya (Birkirkara).

Standings