Birkirkara held champions Valletta in a 2-2 draw in this weekend’s big match from the BOV Premier League at the National Stadium on Saturday.
For the Citizens, this was the second draw in five matches which puts them on the eight-point mark, three points behind the leaders. Birkirkara, on the other hand, remain second from bottom on three points thanks to this third draw in the last three matches as they continue to chase their first win.
Valletta took the lead on the 10th minute when they were awarded an indirect freekick inside the area after Andrew Hogg grabbed the ball following a back-pass by Cain Attard; Douglas Packer served Steve Borg who managed to slot the ball past the Birkirkara defence.
On the 24th minute, Caio Henrique Prado served Miguel Angel Alba from the right but the latter failed to connect.
Birkirkara equalised on the 38th minute when Maurizio Vella sent Caio Henrique Prado through on the right and the latter rounded Borg before beating Henry Bonello in style.
Valletta regained the lead on the 57th minute when off a cross by Kevin Tulimieri from the left, Enmy Pena Beltre headed home past goalkeeper Andrew Hogg.
Caio Henrique Prado went close for Birkirkara with a close-range header following a cross from the left.
On the 69th minute, Birkirkara levelled matters. Caio Henrique Prado was brought down inside the area by Jean Borg and from the penalty spot, Miguel Angel Alba made no mistake to restore equilibrium.
Nine minute from time, substitute Michael Mifsud tested Henry Bonello with a powerful shot from inside the area which was, however, blocked into a corner.
B’KARA Andrew Hogg, Enrico Pepe, Maurizio Vella (83’ Edison Luis dos Santos), Kurt Zammit, Roderick Briffa, Federico Falcone, Cain Attard, Caio Henrique Prado, Oscar Matias Carniello, Miguel Angel Alba (74′ Michael Mifsud), Ryan Fenech.
Subs not used: Nicky Vella, Gianluca Bugeja, Glenn Attard, Terence Agius, Carlo Zammit Lonardelli.
Coach: Andre Paus
Asst. Coach: Jonathan HollandVALLETTA Henry Bonello, Steve Borg, Bojan Kaljevic, Jean Borg, Enmy Pena Beltre, Joseph Zerafa (73′ Ryan Camilleri), Douglas Packer, Irakli Daria (45+2′ Nicholas Pulis), Mario Fontanella, Yuri de Jesus Messias (63′ Shaun Dimech), Kevin Tulimieri.
Subs not used: Yenz Cini, Jonathan Caruana, Kyrian Nwoko, Jeremy Micallef.
Coach: Darren Abdilla
Asst. Coach: Gilbert AgiusReferee: Malcolm Spiteri
Assistant Referees: Jurgen Spiteri, Mitchell Scerri
Fourth Official: Matthew Degabriele
Yellow Cards: S. Borg, Fenech, Briffa, Tulimieri, Pepe, Zerafa, Vella, J. Borg
BOV Player of the Match: Caio Henrique Prado