Historic victory not enough for the Stripes
by Ayrton Galea - 25th July 2015
Birkirkara FC bowed out of the UEFA Europa League second qualifying round with heads held high, as despite securing a historic victory over West Ham United FC after the one hundred twenty minutes, the latter advanced to the next round thanks only to the penalty shoot-out.
In a memorable night at the National Stadium, which attracted more than 15,000 supporters, the Stripes with a magnificent show of football, stretched their much more quoted opponents to their limit.
It was another collective effort from the Stripes, who played their hearts out, led by the continuous encouragement of Coach Giovanni Tedesco, who once again approached the game perfectly. The Club's latest signing, Emerson Marcellina, was drafted in the first-eleven selection, to replace Edin Murga, in a 4-1-3-2 formation.
The inclusion of Marcelina in midfield made a great impact, as the midfielder impressed with his top qualities, who along-side tireless midfielders Paul Fenech, Rowen Muscat and Ryan Camenzuli all had a terrific performance in the heart of midfield, which gave the Stripes an edge over their opponents for long stretches.
If goalkeeper Justin Haber was the most active player in the first-leg match at Upton Park, things were completely different in the return leg, as he was tested little, but did his job perfectly when the visitors threatened with their typical crosses.
Mauricio Mazzetti stole the lime-light, as the solid rock defender had a near-perfect match by leading the pack at the back. The Argentine defender showed his abilities not only in his excellent defending but also helped his team to push forward by his outstanding confidence when in possession.
Side-backs Zach Muscat and Joseph Zerafa not only neutralized their direct opponent more comfortably, but also both helped in pushing the team forward. On the other end of the pitch, Ellinton Morais tormented the defence with his sprint and technique. Striker Fabrizio Miccoli showed once again that he still got what it takes, by netting his second goal in the last three matches.
The First Half
The Stripes' powerful start in the opening minutes, made their intentions clear right from the start. After two minutes, Fenech picked Miccoli outside the box and the latter had a powerful strike blocked by a defender. A minute later, Miccoli delivered a threatening free-kick which travelled across the face of the goal, but was slightly too long for Zach Muscat, to be able to make contact.
The Italian forward remained the most active player in the opening minutes of the match. His abilities from set-pieces was once again made evident, by taking another curling free-kick which created havoc inside the box. Matthew Jarvis cleared into a corner kick, as Morais was about to pull the trigger.
West Ham had their first opportunity on the tenth minute. Mark Noble's corner kick was short-cleared as the ball fell to the path of Jarvis, but his low shot was saved by an alert Justin Haber.
On the fourteenth minute Rowen Muscat and Zach Muscat exchanged possession before the latter served Fenech. Fenech sent Morais through, who was too quick for his marker, and he drifted inside the box. His low cross was met by Fabrizio Miccoli who slid to send the ball into the net. The packed National Stadium erupted with joy, and a loud shout of “goal” was heard, as the Maltese side plunged ahead.
The heat was now on the visitors, and a reaction was expected from them. However, thanks to Birkirkara's composure it never really arrived, as the Stripes remained in the driving seat and enjoying an edge over their frustrated opponents.
Their frustration was made evident a few minutes before half-time, when West Ham were down to ten men following an off the ball incident. James Tomkins hit Vukanac in the face. After getting medical attention Vukanac was cautioned for retaliation, while Tomkins was shown a straight red card, accompanied with loud cheers.
Just before the half-time whistle, following a confident and well built action by the Stripes, Marcellina had a low shot saved by Adrian. The Stripes headed to their dressing rooms leading by one.
The Second Half
The Stripes stayed in command and went close six minutes into the second half. Fenech served Miccoli on the left, and the Italian striker had a low in-swinging shot ending wide off the first post.
Goalkeeper Adrian was forced to clear into safety as the high pressing of Morais panicked the goalkeeper, only for the ball to reach Mazzetti, who hit an incredible shot from mid-pitch, that saw the goalkeeper recovering well.
West Ham had their first opportunity in the second half a minute later, when off a cross by Mark Noble, Matthew Jarvis headed over the bar.
Fabrizio Miccoli made some fine foot-work past the twentieth minute mark of the second half, and he advanced forward and served Camenzuli on the left wing, but the latter's grounder from distance ended off-target.
An impressive display of Rowen Muscat had to come to an end twenty minutes from time, when he left the pitch hobbling, and he made space for Edmond Agius. Six minutes later, Miccoli received a standing ovation in Birkirkara's second substitution, and he was replaced by Vito Plut.
On the eighty-second minute, Morais was wide, after speeding forward from the left. Four minutes later, Fenech had his long-distance shot saved by Adrian.
There was a scare for Birkirkara in the final moments, when West Ham won possession in Birkirkara's half, but they recovered well. The Albanian referee whistled the end of the ninety minutes with Birkirkara registering a historic victory over West Ham despite the contest not being over yet. Since both teams had won the match 1-0 in their home leg, the match had to go to extra-time.
The Extra Time
Substitute Vito Plut had an excellent action for the Stripes five minutes into the extra-time period, when he took possession in Birkirkara's half pitch, and dribbled all the way through to the box, but his low shot took a deflection and was easily parried by Adrian.
In Birkirkara's third substitution, on the ninety-sixth minute, Kurt Zammit replaced debutant Emerson Marcellina, who received a deserved applause for an outstanding debut.
Numerical parity was re-established two minutes into the second half of the extra-time period, when Mazzetti was sent off for protests, with a second yellow card, in a harsh decision by the referee.
The pressure on the Stripes increased, yet they went close six minutes from time, in an action involving two substitutes. Kurt Zammit accelerated forward in the centre of the field before serving Edmond Agius, whose curling shot was saved by Adrian.
Four minutes from time, West Ham put the ball in the net, as substitute Maiga connected home from close-range only to see his goal disallowed for an offside position, much to the frustration of the West Ham supporters.
Birkirkara remained resilient and the match had to be decided by the lottery of the penalty shoot-out.
Penalty sequence
Noble (WHU) scores 1-0, Fenech (BIR) scores 1-1
Zarate (WHU) scores 2-1, Plut (BIR) scores 2-2
Cresswell (WHU) scores 3-2, Vukanac (BIR) misses 3-2
O'Brien (WHU) scores 4-2, Agius (BIR) scores 4-3
Poyet (WHU) scores 5-3.
West Ham advanced to the third round of the competition, but it was Birkirkara who stole the show on the night.
BIRKIRKARA: Justin Haber, Emerson Marcelina (96' Kurt Zammit), Mauricio Mazzetti, Paul Fenech, Ryan Camenzuli, Fabrizio Miccoli (76' Vito Plut), Nikola Vukanac, Ellinton Morais, Joseph Zerafa, Zach Muscat, Rowen Muscat (70' Edmond Agius).
WEST HAM: Adrian, Aaron Creswell, Kevin Nolan (59' Diego Poyet), James Tomkins, Matthew Jarvis (120' Martin Samuelsen), Cheikhou Kouyate, Mauro Zarate, Mark Noble, Joseph O'Brien, James Collins, Morgan Amalfitano (59' Modibo Maiga).
Referee: Enea Jorgji (ALB)
Assistant referees: Ridiger Çokaj (ALB), Astrit Mahmuti (ALB)
Fourth official: Kridens Meta (ALB)
Yellow Cards: 32' Miccoli, 42' Mauricio Mazzetti, 44' Nikola Vukanac, 111' Edmond Agius (Birkirkara), Mark Noble, James Collins (West Ham)
Red Cards: 45' Tomkins, 108' Mazzetti
Scorer: 14' Fabrizio Miccoli
Attendance: 15,257.
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