Stoppage-time goals put Birkirkara back in second place

Birkirkara scored twice in added time to beat Zebbug Rangers 3-1 and move back in second place in the BOV Premier League.

A goal towards the end of the first half had put the Stripes ahead but ten minutes from time, Zebbug equalised. A result which could have left them in third place. However two goals in added time handed them the three points. Meanwhile Zebbug remain at the bottom of the table with just twelve points.

Birkirkara had Bosnian goalkeeper Mirza Hamzabegovic making his debut but Paul Zammit could not count on the suspended Joseph Zerafa and Mauricio Mazzetti.

Rafael Ledesma had the first attempt at goal on the 9th minute with a long-distance shot and on the 36th, a Zach Muscat header, off a corner by Ledesma was tipped into a corner by Farrugia. A minute later, a Ledesma effort was not held by the Zebbug goalkeeper but Zach Muscat hit wide.

The Stripes managed to take the lead on the 40th when off a Rafael Ledesma corner, Matheus Bissi da Silva’s header hit the upright before ending at the back of the net.

Jeffrey Farrugia turned into a corner a Nikola Vukanac back-heel effort on 63 minutes and twelve minutes later, the Zebbug goalkeeper tipped over the bar a curling shot by Edmond Agius.

Zebbug equalised ten minutes from time thanks to Mauricio Rodriguez Britto who headed the ball home off a cross by Muchardi.

However two minutes in added time, Birkirkara regained the lead thanks to a powerful drive by Ryan Camenzuli which gave the Zebbug goalkeeper no chance.

But it was not over yet as two minutes later, Ellinton Antonio Costa Morais sealed the issue with a third goal.

ZEBBUG Jeffrey Farrugia, Mattias Mucchardi, Carlo Gordon Monti (79’ Luke Montebello), Matthew Bartolo, Mauricio Osmar Rodrigues Britto (90’ Kurt Zammit), Rashid Yussuff, Jacob Borg, Lee Galea, Paltemio Barbetti, Thomas Paris, Yessous Camilleri.
Subs not used: Manuel Bartolo, Shaun Borg, Miguel Ciantar Kurt Tanti, Matthew Gauci.
Coach: Alfonso Greco

B’KARA Mirza Hamzabegovic, Rafael Pompeo Rodrigues Ledesma, Nikola Vukanac, Mattheus Bissi Da Silva, Nassir Ahmed Maachi (67’ Kurt Zammit), Edward Herrera, Paul Fenech, Zach Muscat (81’ Ellinton Antonio Costa Morais), Rowen Muscat, Ryan Camenzuli, Ryan Scicluna (58’ Edmond Agius).
Subs not used: Justin Haber, Antoine Borg, Gareth Sciberras, Beppe Jaccarini.
Coach: Paul Zammit

Referee: Andre Arciola
Assistant Referees: William Debattista, Paul Apap
Fourth Official: Marco Borg
Yellow cards: Camilleri, Galea
Scorers: 40’ Mattheus Bissi Da Silva 80’ Mauricio Osmar Rodrigues Britto 90+2’ Ryan Camenzuli 90+3′ Antonio Costa Morais
BOV Player of the Match: Rafael Pompeo Rodrigues Ledesma