Balzan reclaim top spot as Souza shines in Pembroke rout
After only 24 hours that they had been dethroned by Hibernians on Saturday, Balzan reclaimed top spot in the BoV Premier League, to demonstrate their title resolve, beating bottom side Pembroke Athleta, with another collective showing of devastating ruthlessness, after hitting seven past Mosta the previous week.
As so often in recent weeks, Alan Souza was the man to settle Balzan’s nerves and switch the momentum, scoring a hat-trick that takes his tally to seven goals in this campaign.
Balzan had midfielder Ryan Fenech suspended and coach Oliver Spiteri could afford to start with the likes of Janjusevic, Grioli, Micallef, Nafti and Grima on the bench, a reminder of depth of talent at his disposal.
Pembroke, with only one win in their last 13 league games, made five changes from the side that lost to Floriana the previous week. Frederick Tabone played in goal instead of regular Calleja Cremona.
Suspensions of Owen Bugeja and Brooke Farrugia forced coach Shakjiri to reshuffle the defence with Sunday Eboh and Miguel Attard handed starts. Adrian Borg made way for the returning captain Zoran Levnaic while Darren Falzon was also included in the starting line-up.
Balzan gave proof that when they are in the mood, there are few sides, if any, better equipped at slicing through opposition.
On a Souza cross, Piciollo’s first timer had ended wide before they broke the deadlock as early as the 11th minute. Alan Souza unleashed a powerful cross shot wide from the left that surprised keeper Tabone, with the ball ending at the top corner.
Pembroke took only seven minutes to draw level. On a Falzon corner from the left, Balzan’s defence allowed the ball to bounce freely in front of goal and Go Nakaoka was quick to shoot past keeper Cassar.
A Paul Fenech diagonal shot went inches wide and Pembroke keeper was good to hold out an Arab powerful drive from outside the area.
Three minutes before the break, Balzan restored their lead as Pembroke were undone by another outbreak of sloppiness. De Barros played a through pass inside the Pembroke area and as the defence showed hesitation, Alan Souza nipped in to beat Tabone with a low strike.
But in the half’s added time, Pembroke threatened again with a Falzon free kick from outside the area that keeper Cassar repelled with some difficulty.
There was more zip to Balzan’s passing and pressing in the second half and they enjoyed total domination.
On 55 minutes Kaljevic picked Piciollo’s pass to test the Pembroke keeper with a powerful grounder.
On the hour,the game threatened to drift away from Pembroke as Balzan, and Alan Souza, scored the third goal. The intelligent Brazilian took the ball in his stride, went past three opponents as he breezed inside the Pembroke area, before sliding the ball past the helpless keeper Tabone.
Souza made way for Nafti soon after to the applause of the Balzan fans.
The substitute provided the assist for Bojan Kaljevic to beat a static Pembroke defence and score Balzan’s fourth goal on 65 minutes.
And by the time Matteo Piciollo crowned a good personal performance, hitting in Balzan’s fifth, on substitute Micallef’s pass, after 74 minutes, Pembroke were already worn out.
Pembroke at least could claim a late goal seven minutes from time. Darren Falzon scored with a direct free kick from the left to reduce the arrears. Balzan Hibernians Valletta Floriana Birkirkara Sliema Tarxien Hamrun Gzira St. Andrews Mosta Pembroke P 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 W 15 15 13 12 12 9 7 8 7 5 4 3 D L F A Pts 6 3 52 28 51 5 4 40 23 50 8 3 38 17 47 7 5 41 24 43 5 7 44 23 41 4 11 30 32 31 8 9 31 31 29 3 13 36 46 27 4 13 27 38 25 9 10 27 36 24 4 16 17 51 16 5 16 22 56 14