BIRKIRKARA-3, FLORIANA-1
Birkirkara have strengthened their push for qualification to Europe after toppling Floriana 3-1 in a hard-fought game that saw the Greens finish the match with nine men.
Coming from two wins on the trot, Birkirkara were keen to maintain their positive run, knowing that a victory in their opening Championship Pool would lift them alongside Floriana on 21 points.
The Stripes reached their objective as they gained a deserved win over a disappointing Floriana side who tried to stage a reaction after falling 2-1 behind but their hopes evaporated after Mano Micallef and Eric Akoto were sent off in the final 10 minutes.
The match was preceded by a minute's silence in memory of President Emeritus Ċensu Tabone who died earlier today.
Floriana threatened to go ahead in the first minute but Brazilian striker Alandson's central effort was blocked by Reuben Gauci, the Birkirkara goalkeeper.
The two goalkeepers were kept busy in the opening stages. Floriana's Patrick Jansen stopped a cross-shot from Shaun Bajada and Gauci produced a more difficult save to push Pablo Doffo's free-kick over the bar.
Birkirkara's response was immediate as Shola Shodiya burst into the box after reaching a long ball from midfield but the Nigerian's run was blocked by Jansen. The ball fell to Ryan Scicluna who again released Shodiya but his attempt to curl the ball towards the net was wayward and Akoto cleared the danger.
The Stripes had a clear edge over Floriana early on. Jansen saved Rodrigo Pereira's header from Bajada's free-kick but on 20 minutes, Birkirkara took the lead thanks to Shodiya who beat Jansen with a low shot.Floriana coach Michael Woods appealed to his players to tighten up in defence as the Greens were struggling to contain the movement of the Birkirkara strikers, especially Shodiya.Birkirkara were caught off guard when John Mintoff's pass fell into the path of Alandson but the Brazilian miscued his shot.
Three minutes past the half-hour, Floriana equaliser, Malcolm Licari scoring from close range after Akoto's firm header from Doffo's free-kick had come off the crossbar.Birkirkara were not demoralised though. They regained the lead three minutes from half-time when Nikola Vukanac headed home from Bajada's free-kick.On the stroke of half-time, Birkirkara missed a golden chance to increase their advantage as Scicluna fired wide from close in after being released by Jorge.
Early in the second half, Christian Caruana, who had replaced Clyde Borg, came close to making it 2-2 but his strong drive was tipped away for a corner by Gauci.Birkirkara should have closed the game when Jorge released Scicluna inside the box but the young midfielder's effort sailed onto the far post.Ten minutes from time, Akoto headed inches wide from Ivan Woods's cross but Floriana's hopes suffered a double blow in the space of two minutes.
Micallef was sent off after a foul on Jorge earned him a second caution and, five minutes from time, Akoto was shown a straight red for a tackle on Ryan Camenzuli.On the stroke of time, Birkirkara wrapped up the points thanks to substitute Moises Avila-Perez who poked home from close in after receiving from Jorge in a fast counter-attack.
Shodiya was named BOV player of the match.