Friday’s clash between Valletta and Birkirkara ended all square but the draw felt like a victory for the champions after Trevor Cilia conjured up a superb equaliser 10 minutes from time for a final 2-2 scoreline.
Birkirkara’s hopes of taking something from their first encounter with their sporting foes looked remote when Valletta, who were leading 2-1, were awarded a 65th-minute penalty after Paul Fenech pulled Denni inside the box.
The Brazilian livewire marched towards the spot to take the penalty but his somewhat central effort was stopped by Manuel Bartolo, one of Birkirkara’s most outstanding performers.
Drawing inspiration from Bartolo’s defiance, Birkirkara surged forward and Cilia crowned their fightback with a perfectly-struck drive, arguably the best goal so far.
“Considering the way the game panned out, it felt like a point won not two lost,” Cilia said.
“Valletta had been the better side in the first half but our cause was not helped by the loss of two key players (Bajada and Muscat) to injury.
“It took us a while to regroup but we improved in the second half. Still, the game would have been as good as over had Valletta scored that penalty but our keeper made a great save and that filled us with courage. I thought we were in control after the penalty episode.”
Cilia had given Birkirkara a 24th-minute lead with a well-placed grounder but his second strike was top-drawer stuff.
“I think my second goal against Valletta is the best in my career,” the 27-year-old enthused.
“When I saw the ball coming, I instantly made up my mind to control and shoot at goal. The execution was perfect.
“I was thrilled not only because I scored a fine goal but moreso because my team had salvaged a point from a very difficult match. Last season I scored 14 times but this was the most stunning of all.”
Cilia has made a habit of finding the net against Valletta as the former Floriana winger netted Birkirkara’s goal in the crucial 1-0 win over the Citizens in a third round match last season. He was also on target in the 3-2 extra-time defeat in the Super Cup in August.
Friday’s stalemate meant that Birkirkara stayed one point behind Valletta in the fledgling standings.
The fall-out from the Super Cup final hampered Birkirkara in the early weeks of the season but they have shown resilience to limit the damage caused by the suspension of four players in their opening three games.
“We like to take it game by game,” Cilia said.
“Our immediate goal is to secure a top-six place as quickly as possible. As for our title chances, we believe we can challenge seriously. We have a squad of 22 players and the feeling is that we have what it takes to defend the title.”
In their first four matches, Birkirkara faced three teams that are tipped to play a starring role in the title race, namely Valletta, Hibs and Sliema Wanderers.
Birkirkara didn’t lose against any of these three teams as their only upset so far came against Floriana.
“This year, the teams are very close to each other,” Cilia said.
“Valletta will be among the leading title contenders and Hibs could also pose a big threat.”
Despite his good early-season form for Birkirkara, Cilia was left out of Malta’s 18-man squad for the opening three Euro 2012 qualifiers.
His omission was met with surprise in many quarters.
“Last year, I just focused on giving my all in every game I played for my club,” Cilia said.
“It’s the national coach’s job to select the players. That’s entirely up to him. Personally, I feel that I’m improving in every game. After the end of a season, it takes some time to rediscover your best form but I’m getting there.
“It’s an honour to play for one’s country and I will continue to do my best to boost my chances of getting more games at international level.”
Missed chances
Birkirkara’s buoyant mood at the end of Friday’s game was in stark contrast with that of Valletta who were dejected after squandering a string of chances to kill off the contest.
“We were disappointed,” Valletta midfielder Roderick Briffa said.
“We missed several scoring chances, especially in the first half, but you have to give credit to their goalkeeper because he kept Birkirkara in the game. In the end, we got punished for our failure to take our chances.”
Briffa, who turned in a lively performance in midfield, was heartened by Valletta’s first-half showing.
“We played good football in the opening half. It was probably the best I’ve seen from my team in the last year,” Briffa said.
“After half-time, we were more cautious but in doing so, we allowed Birkirkara to seize the initiative. Nevertheless, we still created a host of chances to increase our advantage. We really should have gone 3-1 up but we missed the penalty and that was a psychological blow for us.”
The clash with Birkirkara was Valletta’s second meeting with one of the so-called big guns after their 2-2 draw with Hibernians.
Although Birkirkara and Hibs are regarded as Valletta’s main rivals for the Premier League crown, Briffa warned against the perils of underestimating the other teams.
“We haven’t played against all teams so far but we know that every game is like a final for Valletta because our opponents are always extra-motivated to do well against us,” Briffa said.
“This means that we must be committed in every game.”
After capturing the league crown in the first year of president Victor Sciriha’s tenure, Valletta failed to produce the goods in the last two years.
Sciriha’s response to his team’s failure to justify their tag as dead-cert favourites and deliver the championship has been to splash more money on new signings.
As always, there is huge pressure on the Citizens but Briffa is backing his team to achieve their aims.
“It’s still early talk about the title race,” Briffa said.
“We narrowly missed out on winning the league in the last two seasons but there are no ifs or buts this year, we have to deliver.
“Last season, we won the FA Trophy and the National League 100 Anniversary Cup but the league is the prize that the fans and players covet most.
“And we’re determined to accomplish our mission this season.”
Premier League statistics
Scorers, red cards
Birkirkara: Galea 2 (1 pen), Vella 2, Lattes 2, Cilia 2.
Floriana: Mecerod, Dzhorov, Darmanin, Caruana, Woods pen.
Ħamrun Spartans: Shields 3; Pereira 2, Grima 2; Mangion.
Red cards: Hrubsa (vs Floriana), Bon-nici (vs Floriana).
Hibernians: McManus 3; Cohen 2; Caruana, Clarke, Herrera.
Marsaxlokk: Effiong, Alcorse pen., Templeman.
Qormi: Mallia 3; Bjedov, J. Farrugia, Frendo, Bello Osagie.
Sliema Wanderers: Mifsud Triganza 2, Obiefule 2; Lima.
Red cards: Mintoff (vs Birkirkara); B. Muscat (vs Vittoriosa).
Tarxien Rainbows: Cristiano 2 (1 pen); Ricardo Costa.
Valletta: Scerri 2, Sammut 2; Zammit, Falzon, Denni (pen), Pace.
Vittoriosa Stars: Ewurum 2.
Red card: Campagnoli (vs Valletta).
Next fixtures - (National Stadium)
Saturday: 3 p.m. Floriana vs Vittoriosa Stars; 5 p.m. Valletta vs Tarxien.
Sunday: 3 p.m. Birkirkara vs Marsa-xlokk; 5 p.m. Hibernians vs Ħamrun.
Monday: 7.30 p.m. Sliema Wanderers vs Qormi.