Valletta suffer humilation at the hands of superb Birkirkara
Following Saturday’s Floriana setback Champions Valletta went all out to claim the three points when they took on rivals Birkirkara in the main match of the weekend.
But after Valletta took the lead in the first seconds of the match it was Birkirkara who dominated the match and outclassed Valletta winning by a 4-1 scoreline.
Former Valletta midfielder Roderick Briffa is ruled out through suspension whereas Kurt Zammit and Capel were missing through injury. Rowen Muscat was missing for the Citizens still nursing an injury.
In the first round, the two teams shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw.
The match had a dream start for Valletta when on 36 seconds they drew first blood. Kaljevic found Miguel Angel Alba on the right side who rifled a shot past Hogg.
But Valletta’s joy was shortlived as in the 6th minute Birkirkara drew level. A corner by Guillaumier was met by Falcone was passed towards Pepe who from close range placed the ball into the net.
In the 18th minute Kaljevic saw his shot just missing the target. With the Stripes responding four minutes late through Mbong when being faced with only goalkeeper Bonello his shot was blocked by the Valletta custodian.
A minute later it was Valletta’s turn when a Piciollo deflected shot just scraped the crossbar.
Seven minutes from the break Birkirkara took the lead. Falcone played a ball to Yankam who side stepped Steve Borg with his pass finding Paul Mbong whose shot hit the net.
And barely two minutes had passed and the Stripes scored their third. This time Guillaumier found ex-Valletta forward Federico Falcone whose diagonal shot found the corner of the net.
The Stripes continued dominating their opponents and two minutes into the second half they scored their fourth goal. A corner by Ntow found Oscar Matias Carniello who blasted into the net.
Valletta were finding the going very tough and failed to react with Birkirkara controlling with ease and countering their opponents. In the 66th minute a Barrios shot from the edge of the area ended wide of Hogg’s goal.
And it was indeed Birkirkara who could have scored their fifth goal in the 84th minute when Prado brought Mbong all alone but his shot was saved by Bonello.