Birkirkara clear the storm to keep in contention
■ Silvio Vella
A fine first half performance, that brought them a two-goal lead, was enough for Birkirkara to edge Gzira United. Birkirkara though should have scored at least a third goal in the second half, although they controlled the proceedingss, especially after enjoying numerical superiority for the last half hour.
For Birkirkara, it must feel like the storm has cleared. Coach Nikola Jaros, who took over in difficult times this season, has dealt well with poor form and lack of motivation. The Stripes have now won four and lost only one of their past six matches, since the turn of the year, and are back in contention.
Gzira might have had their moments. And the dismissal of their central defender Souleymane Diamoutene past the hour was highly debatable, even if the outcome of the game might not have been any different if Gzira had 11 men on the field.
But in certain vital qualities – strength, aggression, technicality – they were lacking.
The Maroons failed to close the gaps in midfield and defence and were severely punished for that.
Darren Abdilla’s side were never wholly convincing against opponents pushing strongly for a top-four finish and the Gzira coach is still left looking over his shoulder at the relegation zone.
Both sides went into this match following wins the previous week. Gzira had beaten Floriana to ease their relegation worries. Birkirkara defeated Hibernians to revive their title hopes.
Gzira made three changes, dropping Jonathan Bondin, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino and Zach Scerri but had latest recruit Andrew Cohen, formerly of Hibernians, making his debut in midfield.
But yesterday they found the going tough against superior and determined opponents, who had already taken a two-goal cushion within the first 20 minutes.
Gzira fell behind past the quarter hour. Alba crossed from the left, after breezing past White, to cut the entire Gzira defence, including the goalkeeper, and Edward Herrera, who had started instead of Jovic, headed in from close range.
A difficult day for Gzira got worse on 20 minutes. Herrera played the ball low from the right towards the middle and it fell to Mislav Andelkovic who found ample space to hit it low past helpless keeper Jurgen Borg.
As if that was a wake-up call, Gzira looked threatening on a couple of occasions. Cohen’s free kick from a distance forced the Birkirkara keeper Bonello into his first difficult save. Then Adeshina exchanged the ball with Zome, advanced inside the Birkirkara area but was thwarted by Vukanac at the point of shooting.
But there was a definite sense that the Stripes had Gzira’s measure.
Playing physically when required, and raking crosses from both flanks, Birkirkara went close to increasing their lead past the half hour when a powerful Andelkovic shot, from the edge of the area, rebounded off the foot of the post.
Herrera wasted another opportunity shortly before the break when he shot completely over from a central position after the Gzira keeper was caught out of place as he tried to reach for a high ball.
Gzira effected a double substitution at halftime, sending in Zach Scerri and Jacob Borg and withdrawing Adeshina and White. They threatened when Avila Perez, put clear by Scerri down the right flank, shot narrowly wide when faced by the keeper.
Zome connected well to Avila Perez’s cross but his scissors kick went over.
Past the hour Gzira suffered another setback. Their central defender Diamoutene was harshly sent off for a tackle from behind on substitute Malan from some 25 metres out. On 71 minutes Gzira protested with the referee for showing Bonello only a yellow card after the Birkirkara keeper apparently felled the advancing Corbolan, if there was any contact, also from some distance away from the penalty area.
Gzira’s efforts were somehow rewarded with a consolation goal from a penalty seven minutes from the end, after Dimitrov handled Azzopardi’s header inside the area. Andrew Cohen tucked it away to open his account with his new club.
Standings
Balzan Hibernians Valletta Birkirkara Floriana Tarxien Sliema Hamrun St. Andrews Gzira Pembroke Mosta P 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 W 13 13 10 11 10 7 8 8 5 4 3 3 D L F A Pts 6 2 39 23 44 4 4 34 19 43 8 3 29 16 38 4 6 40 19 37 6 5 37 23 36 8 6 31 28 29 4 9 26 26 28 2 11 32 38 26 7 9 23 31 22 4 13 20 35 16 5 13 20 46 14 4 14 13 40 13