A goal by Wilfried Zamble Bi Koihy twelve minutes from time handed Senglea Athletic their first win as they defeated ten-man Birkirkara 1-0 at the Centenary Stadium on Wednesday.
For Senglea, this was their second positive result after the draw with Sirens in their first outing while for Birkirkara, this was the second defeat in as many matches.
Senglea mentor Mario Muscat made two changes from the team which drew with Sirens as Jan Tanti and Wilfried Zamble were preferred to Karl Pulo and Jose Wilkson Teixeira. John Buttigieg, on the other hand, named Terence Agius in the starting line-up, including Yannick Yankam as a substitute.
The Stripes were reduced to ten men after just ten minutes when Jeferson Ferreira was dismissed by referee Ishmael Barbara for a foul of Wilfried Zamble just outside the area.
Sean Cipriott almost put Senglea ahead five minutes from the end of the first half but his long distance effort hit the woodwork.
Senglea notched the winner twelve minutes from time thanks to Wilfried Zamble who concluded a solo effort with a fine shot from outside the area which saw the ball hitting the upright before ending at the back of the net.
SENGLEA Matthew Farrugia, Sigitas Olberkis, Elvis Sakyi (60′ Leighton Grech), Manolito Micallef, Taisei Marukawa (76′ Andrei Spiteri), Jan Tanti, Sean Cipriott, Wilfried Zamble, Mirko Todorovic, David Xuereb, Marcelo Dias (60′ Jose Wilkson Teixeira).
Subs not used: Anthony Curmi, Dejan Debono, Karl Pulo, Justin Martin Micallef.
Coach: Steven Vella
Goalkeepers Coach: Mario MuscatB’KARA Andrew Hogg, Jeferson Ferreira, Enrico Pepe, Maurizio Vella, Luke Montebello (68′ Federico Falcone), Roderick Briffa, Cain Attard, Terence Agius (53′ Yannick Yankam), Caio Henrique Prado, Miguel Angel Alba (64′ Johann Bezzina), Isaac Toah Ntow.
Subs not used: Nicky Vella, Kurt Zammit, Gianluca Bugeja, Paul Mbong.
Coach: John Buttigieg
Asst. Coach: Jonathan HollandReferee: Ishmael Barbara
Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, James Muscat
Fourth Official: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Yellow Cards: Dias, Sakyi, Micallef, Vella, Ntow
Red Cards: 9′ Jeferson Ferreira
BOV Player of the Match: Taisei Marukawa