Mifsud Triganza sinks Hibernians — Wanderers hold Valletta

bkara-hibs130301pzcBirkirkara bounced back from last week’s defeat to Sliema Wanderers as they defeated Hibernians 1-0 to move to just one point behind the Paolites.

Photo: Copyright © Paul Zammit Cutajar

Zoran Levnajic was missing for Hibernians. Obinna Obiefule was named in the squad for the first time after returning back from China but remained as one of the unused substitutes. Birkirkara, on the other hand, lacked Harun Shola Shodiya as he serves a one-match ban.

The two teams shared the exchanges in the early stages. A freekick by Jackson Lima ended just over the bar on 36 minutes. A minute later, the Paolites appealed for a penalty after Jean Paul Farrugia ended onto the ground inside the area when challenged by a defender. On the other side of the pitch, Paul Fenech exchanged the ball with Jhonnattann with the former’s low shot being saved by Mario Muscat.

Birkirkara managed to break the deadlock three minutes from half-time when in a swift counter-attack, Ryan Scicluna served the unmarked Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza who hit low past Muscat.

Mario Muscat performed a good save on a Nikola Vukanac header off a freekick by Jhonnattann on 67 minutes.

Three minutes from time, a freekick by Andrew Cohen hit the upright – with Justin Haber beaten. A rising shot by Jean Paul Farrugia ended high in stoppage time.

Edward Herrera was voted BOV Player of the Match.

B’KARA Justin Haber, Edward Herrera, Nikola Vukanac, Alejandro Mendoza, Rodrigo Pereira, Ryan Scicluna (85’ Ryan Camenzuli), Gareth Sciberras, Paul Fenech, Jhonnattann Benites da Conceicao (78’ Joselito dos Reis), Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza (76’ Rowen Muscat), Joseph Zerafa.
Subs not used: Reuben Gauci, Zach Muscat, Godwin Mckay, Yosimar Hernandez.
Coach: Paul Zammit
Asst. Coach: Peter Pullicino

HIBS Mario Muscat, Adrian Pulis, Ryan Camilleri, Rodolfo Soares, Marcelo Dias, Andrew Cohen, Bjorn Kristensen (52’ Johann Bezzina), Jackson di Lima Siqueira, Claydon Failla, Jean Paul Farrugia, Allan Kardeck dos Santos (75’ Jonathan Pearson).
Subs not used: Daniel Balzan, Scott Chircop, Ayrton Azzopardi, Brandon Muscat, Obinna Obiefule.
Coach: Michael Woods
Asst. Coach: Darren Abdilla

Referee: Andre Arciola
Assistant Referees: Duncan Sultana, Eman Grech
Fourth Official: Adrian Azzopardi
Yellow Cards: Farrugia, Dias, Pereira, Camilleri, Sciberras, Kardeck, Zerafa, Failla
Scorers: 42′ Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza

Photo: Copyright © Paul Zammit Cutajar

valletta-sliema130301pzcMeanwhile in the second match, Sliema Wanderers held leaders Valletta in a goalless draw. A draw which enables the Citizens to move one point clear on top the BOV Premier League table.

The Wanderers, on the other hand, are now fourth, two points behind Birkirkara and three behind Hibernians.

Sliema lacked the suspended Ivan Woods apart from Henry Bonello, Andrew Decesare and Alain Faccini while Joao Gabriel da Silva was missing for Valletta.

The Citizens were close to taking the lead on the 6th minutes with a Ryan Fenech effort served in two attempts by Glenn Zammit. The Sliema custodian performed a great save at point blank on a Jason Vandelannoite header off a freekick by Ryan Fenech from the right on 23 minutes. Zammit then neutralised attempts by Mifsud and Fenech for Valletta.

Eight minutes in the second half, Stanley Ohawuchi tried his luck with a fine shot from outside the area which just missed the target. However Valletta continued to press with a Vandelannoite effort off a cross by Michael Mifsud ending just wide on 58 minutes. A Ryan Fenech effort then hit the upright on 66 minutes.

Glenn Zammit denied Ryan Fenech once again on 79 minutes, performing a good save on his conclusion from the left.

VALLETTA Manuel Bartolo, Roderick Briffa, Ian Azzopardi (82’ Joseph Jojo Ogunuppe), Luke Dimech, Jonathan Caruana, Jason Vandelannoite, William Barbosa, Ryan Fenech, Denni Rocha dos Santos (57’ Daniel Bogdanovic), Demba Toure, Michael Mifsud.
Subs not used: Yenz Cini, Edmond Agius, Dyson Falzon, Abubakar Bello-Osagie, Llywelyn Cremona.
Coach: Mark Miller
Asst. Coach: Gilbert Agius

SLIEMA Glenn Zammit, Alex Muscat (90’ John Mintoff), Luca Martinelli, Stanley Ohawuchi (92′ Josef Mifsud), Paltemio Barbetti, Mark Scerri, Ian Zammit, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Shaun Bajada (80’ Beppe Muscat), Mathias Muchardi, Stefano Bianciardi.
Subs not used: James Abela, Luigi Ruggiero, Alain Faccini, Miguel Ciantar.
Coach: Alfonso Greco
Asst. Coach: JoJo Bajada

Referee: Clayton Pisani
Assistant Referees: Paul Apap, Luke Portelli
Fourth Official: Mario Apap
Yellow Cards: Scerri, Barbosa, Ogunuppe