BIRKIRKARA-2 VALLETTA-3
(after extra-time; 90 mins – 1-1)
Valletta got their season off to a flying start as they won the BOV Super Cup after beating rivals Birkirkara 3-2 after extra-time.
The Citizens looked set for victory after taking the lead through Terrence Scerri in the first half but Birkirkara levelled through Michael Galea 10 minutes from the end to send the game into extra-time.
More drama followed in extra-time as Valletta scored first in the second half, Birkirkara equalised again despite being down to 10 men but the Citizens had the final say when debutant Joseph Okonkwo headed home the winner at the death.
The dramatic finale proved too much for some as a scuffle broke in the VIP zone involving Birkirkara players and Valletta officials.
Scoring chances were scarce in the opening 20 minutes as the two teams had trouble finding their usual rhythm. Birkirkara created the first scoring opportunity when Paul Fenech passed to Michael Galea who ran forward before released Trevor Cilia.
The Birkirkara winger, a key figure in his team’s title success last season, nipped behind the Valletta defenders but goalkeeper Andrew Hogg sprinted out of goal and pushed away Cilia’s attempt to take the ball past him.
Valletta’s response came midway through the first half when Brazilian forward Denni moved past Patrick Borg but his diagonal shot was beaten away by Ezequiel Lovizon, the Birkirkara goalkeeper. Ian Zammit’s cross from the resultant corner was met by Jamie Pace but the midfielder’s header ended just over.
With the game now showing signs of coming to life, Valletta came close to taking the lead when Pace dashed past Angus Buhagiar and fired a strong shot that Lovizon blocked.
Argentine winger Emiliano Lattes, who was making his debut for Birkirkara, tried to surprise Hogg with a long-range drive but the Valletta goalkeeper diverted the ball away for a corner.
The improving Valletta forged ahead five minutes from half-time. Latching onto a through-pass from Denni, Terrence Scerri beat Birkirkara’s offside trap and chipped the ball over the on-rushing Lovizon.
Just before the half-time break, Scerri blasted over from an angled position.
One-nil down, Birkirkara pushed forward at the start of the second half and troubled Valletta with a string of crosses which were fisted away by Hogg.
At the other end, Roderick Briffa hit a dangerous shot after picking up a loose ball but his effort was deviated for a corner.
Lovizon, the Birkirkara goalkeeper, then had to come out of goal to block the run of substitute Dyson Falzon. Valletta stayed in command but Lovizon denied them a second goal with a series of excellent saves from Pace, Scerri and Denni.
Valletta continued to attack, Gilbert Agius lifting his shot over the bar after receiving from Falzon.
The Citizens’ failure to take their chances returned to haunt them when Birkirkara levelled matters against the run of play thanks to Michael Galea’s well-hit shot.
Galea’s equaliser sent the game into extra-time as the score remained 1-1 at the end of the regular 90 minutes. Eight minutes into extra-time, Nigerian forward Joseph Okonkwo, making his first appearance for Valletta, sped clear on the right but his pass was cleared by Birkirkara.
Valletta forged ahead on 13 minutes thanks to Temile whose first-time volley sailed past Lovizon after Birkirkara failed to clear Kevin Sammut’s corner.
After a brief pause, caused by the unexpected entrance onto the pitch of a terrified kitten, Birkirkara, who had been reduced to 10 men after substitute Karl Pulo was sent off for two yellow cards, equalised in the dying stages thanks to Cilia’s excellent volley after Valletta had hit a post through Okonkwo.
Penalties loomed but in a final twist, Valletta scored the winner in the very last minute, Okonkwo heading Steve Borg’s cross past Lovizon.
As Birkirkara players made their way into the VIP zone to receive their medals, a skirmish broke out. Birkirkara players and Valletta officials came to blows but the police and security officers stepped in to calm the situation.