Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/257374
50 FOOTBALL maltatoday, SUNDAY, 9 FEBRUARY 2014 Sport PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY ATTARD SPORTTODAY Birkirkara back to winning ways Vittoriosa ........... 1 Birkirkara ........... 4 BIRKIRKARA put in a solid per- formance as they defeated Vitto- riosa Stars 4-1. Birkirkara will start the Champi- onship Pool with 28 points while Vittoriosa Stars will start their Relegation Pool commitments on nine points. Birkirkara took the lead on the 12th minute. Off a freekick by Frank Temile, Matheus Bissi da Silva's header was partially saved and off the rebound Alejandro Mendoza's header beat goalkeeper Mario Muscat. Birkirkara doubled their lead on the 35th minute. Haruna Shola Shodiya's powerful shot from in- side the area left no chance for goalkeeper Mario Muscat. On the 59th minute, Birkirkara would increase their lead again. A great pass by Jhonnattann to Haruna Shola Shodiya had the lat- ter control the ball and beat Vitto- riosa's goalkeeper with his power- ful shot from outside the area. Vittoriosa managed to reduce the Birkirkara's lead on the 63rd minute. A perfect shot by Marcelo Pereira left no chance for goalkeep- er Justin Haber to make the score 3-1. The Stripes scored again on the 90th minute. Frank Temile beat the advancing Mario Muscat to make the final score 4-1. VITTORIOSA STARS Mario Muscat, Clive Brincat, Samir Arab (55' Luke Vella Critien), Michael Camilleri, Ousmane Sidibe, Mal- colm Buttigieg, Oscar Guerrero, Federico Santaguida (70' David Mitogo Garcia), Marcelo Pereira, Francisco Arriagada Mella (85' Carl Sammut), Clive Spiteri. Subs not used: Sean Cini, Ryan Mifsud, Sheldon Grech, Liam Gau- ci. Coach: Oliver Spiteri BIRKIRKARA Justin Haber, Paul Fenech, Alejando Mendoza Corujo, Matheus Bissi da Silva (64' David Zerafa), Frank Temile, Gareth Sci- berras (89' Antoine Borg), Ryan Scicluna, Joseph Zerafa, Haruna Shola Shodiya, Zach Muscat, Jhon- nattann Benites da Conceicao (62' Ronaille Calheira Seara). Subs not used: Reuben Gauci, Ro- wen Muscat, Ryan Camenzuli, Ter- ence Vella, . Coach: Paul Zammit Referee: Philip Farrugia. Assistant Referees: Edward Spi- teri, Sammy Attard Fourth Official: Marco Borg Yellow Cards: F. Arriagada Mella, C.Brincat, R. Scicluna, M. Butti- gieg Scorers: 12' Alejandro Mendoza, 35' Shodiya Haruna Shola, 59' Shodiya Haruna Shola(B), 63' Marcelo Pereira (V), 90' Frank Temile (B) BOV Player of the Match: Shodiya Haruna Shola (Birkirkara) Rabat Ajax ............... 1 Sliema Wanderers .... 2 SLIEMA Wanderers fought back from one goal down to defeat bot- tom side Rabat Ajax 2-1. Sliema have now won four con- secutive matches to now start the Championship Pool on 22 points just two behind third-placed Hi- bernians and only six behind lead- ers Birkirkara. For Rabat it is a completely different story as they will be starting the Relegation Pool with only three points. Sliema went close to scoring on the 18th minute. Stefano Bianciar- di's header looked to be heading for goal but it hit the crossbar. Rabat shocked Sliema to take the lead on the 40th minute. Off a cross from the right, Diego Carril- lo Pendas dribbled past a defender and beat goalkeeper Glenn Zam- mit with his shot. Sliema had to wait till the 70th minute before they levelled mat- ters. Ivan Woods passed the ball to Matias Muchardi who then easily beat goalkeeper Pavle Velimirovic with his powerful shot. Sliema made sure they took home all three points on the 81st minute. Off a corner by Trevor Cilia, Stanley Ohawuchi's powerful shot left no chance for Rabat's goalkeeper. RABAT AJAX Pavle Velimirovic, Shaun Gauci, David Azzopardi, Dylan Falzon, Ivan Carapic, Joseph Caruana, Diego Carrillo Pendas, Sorin Oproiescu (87' Chris Vella), Ryan Micallef (75' Patrick Borg),, Malcolm Licari, Jonathan Bajada. Subs not used: Jonathan Azzop- ardi, Zachary Tanti, Stefan Cortis, Etienne Scicluna, Darren Borg. Coach: Steve D'Amato SLIEMA WANDERERS Glenn Zammit, Alex Muscat, Jacob Borg, Stanley Ohawuchi, Clifford Gatt Baldacchino, Ivan Woods (86' Kane Farrugia), Trevor Cilia, Matias Muchardi, Beppe Muscat (63' Axl Xuereb), Stefano Bianciardi, Admir Vladavic. Subs not used: Henry Bonello, Clive Psaila, Alex Podda, Liam Cachia, Gabriel Aquilina. Coach: Alfonso Greco Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, David Castillo Fourth Official: Chris Lautier Yellow Cards: Oproiescu, Carrillo, Carapic, Falzon, Bajada, G. Zam- mit Scorers: 40' Diego Carrillo Pendas, 70' Matias Muchardi, 82' Stanley Ohawuchi BOV Player of the Match: Stanley Ohawuchi Sliema continue positive run with victory over Rabat