BIRKIRKARA 1

Haruna 61

QORMI 1

Innocenti 68

Birkirkara were held 1-1 by a stubborn Qormi side.

The early enterprise did augur well for Tommaso Volpi’s side when Justin Haber, the Birkirkara goalkeeper produced his first save after 21 minutes, diving to his left to block Alfred Effiong’s pile-driver from Leighton Grech’s pass.

As the first half gained pace, the Stripes began to enjoy more possession, yet they struggled to break down Qormi’s fiercely committed and well organised defence. Birkirkara relied on their forwards’ pace to run onto long balls and thus being able to bypass the Qormi’s crowded midfield. Two minutes from half-time, Frank Temile picked the ball from the half-way line and exchanged it with Shola Haruna before the former Dynamo Kiev striker, running in the box to meet the cross but headed just over the bar.

After the interval Birkirkara brought on Edward Herrera for Ryan Camenzuli to push on the flanks. In the 51st minute, the Malta International defender ran clear down the right to whip in a perfect cross for Temile but Matthew Farrugia, the Qormi custodian rush out of his line to clear the danger. Reinvigorated by the running of Herrera, Birkirkara finally opened up the Qormi rearguard and this was the cue for Zammit to throw on Demba Toure, making the number of Birkirkara strikers on the pitch to four.

Adding impetus to the Stripes attacking endeavours, the brisk-moving Toure made an instant impact as Haruna fired them in front just past the hour mark after great work by Temile all the action coming on the right wing. The Nigerian drifted across the edge of the box and past his marker Giuseppe Bellucci before supplying a measuring pass to Haruna who was completely unguarded outside the box, let fly a dipping shot over Farrugia.

Qormi looked stunned but they refused to give up. Their efforts were rewarded seven minutes later when Leonardo Gabrieli sizzled a rasping drive from the left flank that had Justin Haber struggling to partially parry the ball but it fell to Ricardo Innocenti who shot straight and true into the goal to equalise.

A slow burning match burst into life with two goals in the space of eight minutes. Yet, the complexion of the game was unchanged as Birkirkara re-gained the intiative and Qormi stuck to their prudent gameplan always looking to release Alfred Effiong with quick long balls as Birkirkara relied mostly on their attacking trio of Jhonnattann, Temile and Toure to create openings.

In the 72nd minute, Haruana floated a cross from the left, Toure headed the ball into the path of Jhonnattan who flashed in with a thundering drive that was repelled by Farrugia.

This missed opportunity proved too much for some Birkirkara fans who begane to leave the stadium as the Champions’ match ended on a deflating note, failing to put under pressure the Qormi rearguard in the 15 minutes.