10-man Stripes hold Greens to 1-1 draw
Birkirkara and Floriana started the season on a positive note as they shared a point apiece following a 1-1 draw at the Centenary Stadium.
It was a fair result considering that the Stripes were the better team in the first half and Floriana replying strongly in the second half (when they were also unlucky).
While Floriana coach Giovanni Tedesco presented a starting line-up with seven players from last season’s first team, the Stripes made a complete upheaval as coach Peter Pullicino decided on a starting line-up that did not include even one player from last season’s regular formation.
The main items of interest were the return of Ryan Camenzuli to Birkirkara and the debut of Jake Grech, formerly of Hamrun, and Llywelyn Cremona, ex-Valletta, not to mention the foreigners.
Despite the heat, the match was quite pleasing to the eye with both sides creating a number of chances apart from the goals scored. But these chances and the goals came mostly from defensive blunders which were abundant at both ends.
In the first half, neither team seemed to enjoy a certain amount of superiority. Play was balanced, but the Stripes might have had a slight edge in midfield, where Cremona, Grech and Fernandez were fighting for every ball, not to mention Camenzuli who was dangerous with his runs on the left flank.
The Greens appeared to be slightly inferior in midfield, but were well served up front, where Varela and especially Fontanella and Vella, were a headache to the Birkirkara defence.
In the second half, the Stripes seemed to be a tired team and Floriana started dominating midfield. They created a sufficient number of chances, especially after Agius of Birkirkara was dismissed, but they missed a lot and Birkirkara managed to avoid defeat.
The Stripes were the first to threaten when off a Jake Grech pass, Montebello bustled his way into the Floriana area only to see his shot blocked by a defender on its way to goalie Akpan.
In the 16th minute, goalie Apkan passed the ball to Vella who controlled badly. Jake Grech was on hand to try a 35-metre scorcher towards the untenanted Floriana goal, but the ball went wide.
It was the Greens who took the lead on the 19th minute. From a low cross by Varela into the Stripes area, it was Martin Klein who miskicked his clearance. The ball ran kindly towards the completely unmarked Fontanella, who easily planted the ball into the net past a helpless Schranz.
Birkirkara were back on level terms five minutes later. Camenzuli indulged in a fine personal move on the left flank and crossed low into the Greens area where Bruno Fernandez controlled well before hitting home.
In the 32nd minute, Floriana had a Cabral shot going wide while three minutes later, Stripes striker Nilsson was set by Montebello, but his shot was blocked.
The Greens went out on attack on the first hour and went close to scoring on the 51st minute. From a Pisani cross, a header by Ruiz just missed the target.
Floriana seemed to be enjoying more possession and on the hour, Birkirkara goalie Schranz covered himself with glory as he dived sideways to stop a Cabral shot destined for the back of the net.
Floriana insisted and in the 69th minute, Fontanella had a shot hitting the upright with Schranz beaten.
Two minutes later, Birkirkara ended in 10 men after substitute Edmond Agius was shown a second yellow card.
Soon after, Vella was unlucky as his freekick was saved by Schranz with the help of the upright.
In the 87th minute, Cabral seemed to have the winner in his pocket, but his close range header was central and easily saved by Schranz.
Near the end, it was again Cabral who missed a good chance hitting well over the bar from a good position.
Today
Bank of Valletta Premier League 6.30pm Balzan-Naxxar L.; 8.45pm VallettaMosta.
Valletta Premier Sliema W.-Senglea. Bank of League 7pm