MQABBA-2, BIRKIRKARA-2
Mqabba followed up their 2-0 win over Marsaxlokk with another commendable result this evening as they held Birkirkara to a 2-2 draw at the National Stadium.
Bojan Mamic was instrumental for Mqabba as the Serbian striker scored a brace, twice cancelling out Birkirkara’s one-goal lead. The Stripes are now winless in their last two matches after crashing to a 3-0 defeat to Hibs in their previous match.
The Stripes almost scored from the kick-off as Trevor Cilia sped clear on the left before crossing for Leighton Grech who hit over.
Mqabba’s reply was immediate. Mamic struck an angled shot that was deflected away for am corner. Pierre Grima’s set-piece cross soared above Birkirkara goalkeeper Jorge Mora but Branislav Timotic nodded wide.
The Premier League newcomers maintained their brisk start. They had a great chance to break the deadlock when John Paul Muscat served Claudio Calleja who made space for a shot inside the box but his final effort was central and Mora blocked.
Birkirkara went up at the other end and scored after 16 minutes. Running onto a through-ball from Andrew Decesare, Spanish striker Moises Avila Perez sped into the box and slotted the ball past Kris Calleja, the Mqabba goalkeeper.
Mqabba could have equalised but Muscat sent his shot against the side-netting before Avila Perez missed an even better chance to double Birkirkara’s lead but drove over the bar from an excellent position after receiving from Grech.
Reprieved, Mqabba increased their pressure in the final stages of the first half. Marcko Potezica’s effort took a deflection but Mora saved and, minutes later, Muscat volleyed high and wide from just inside the box.
Mqabba’s brisk approach yielded a deserved equaliser five minutes into the second half. Andrew Scicluna’s long pass from midfield was followed by a fine interchange involving Muscat and Mamic which ended with the latter firing past Mora.
Mamic masterminded another fine move as the Mqabba striker twisted his way past two defendersm before passing to Calleja whose close-range effort was blocked by Decesare.
Birkirkara emerged from their difficult start to the second half to regain the lead 16 minutes from time. Avila Perez headed Grech’s free-kick towards the far post and Rodrigo Pereira climbed above Calleja to nod the ball home.
Mqabba equalised two minutes later. Capitalising on a mix-up in the Birkirkara defence, Mamic stole possession and pushed clear before placing his shot past Mora.
Mamic was named BOV player of the match.