Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/439085
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 21 DECEMBER 2014 29 Sport 2014 IN REVIEW SPORTTODAY 2014 – A year to forget for Birkirkara EDWARD FALZON THE Stripes have suffered testing times over the last 12 months, but go into the Christmas break on a positive note with a 2-0 win over Qormi. It's definitely been a year to forget for Birkirkara. The stripes have been hit with testing and difficult moments over the past months, including their decider defeat at the hands of Valletta. After playing their final fixture of the year with a 2-0 win over Qormi, they will be happy to see the end of 2014. B'Kara began the year 2014 at the top of the league and were seen as clear favourites to retain the title for a second consecutive year. The yel- lows looked strong in every depart- ment and were in good shape under the guidance of Coach Paul Zammit. However they were hit by a resurgent Valletta side as well as a dip in form in the late stages of the league, resulting in eventually succumbing to defeat in the decisive match against their rivals 2-1. Zammit's men suffered elimina- tion against Qormi in the FA trophy, meaning they finished the season with only the Super cup to their name, won back in August. Going in- to the new season as Champions, the odds were all favouring Zammit's side to achieve further success, as they undoubtedly were producing the best Football throughout. Going into their last fixture of the season in third, could have been an indication that times are changing for the stripes and that maybe some changes need to be effected. However, a new year is a chance for opportuni- ties and their success over Qormi saw a tough 2014 end with some satisfac- tion for the yellows. It remains to be seen whether Paul Zammit can get his side going again in the second half of the current cam- paign, but surely all the clan will be happy to see the end of 2014 For Valletta, it was a somewhat suc- cessful season, claiming two major honours with the league title com- ing down to a straight clash between the top two on the last day of the season. That the two main contend- ers were Birkirkara and Valletta was no surprise, but for Valletta to force Birkirkara to a decider match af- ter such an inconsistent start to the campaign, surprised many. Valletta's achievement and success is even more impressive when considering how B'kara were winning games with ease, with Valletta failing to impress and even changing almost their entire foreign line-up in January. After an indifferent start, Valletta came on strong in the second half of the season, putting together a big number of consecutive victories in the process. Since Victor Schiriha's appointment as Valletta president, the questions surrounding the club at the beginning of a season is 'who will they get', a remark which solidifies their status as the most powerful in the league. Despite their financial strength however, it is when it comes to their foreign players where Valletta have often failed, often resulting in early termination of contracts of their players. Indeed the first half of the 2013/2014 season proved to be the case again and performances were far from encouraging. This led for big changes to be made in January with the club securing no fewer than five new foreigners in the attempt to challenge for the title. Suddenly things began to click for Valletta, getting better and better as the season came close to the end, finishing with an impressive number of consecutive victories, including over main rivals Birkirkara and Hi- bernians and the trophy itself. There were disappointments for Hibernians, Sliema and Floriana in 2014, with the Paolites tipped as the team who could threaten the main contenders, finishing a distant third in failing to win any of their final five matches of the campaign. For Sliema and Floriana it was again a season starting with big ex- pectations and ending with bitter- ness and disappointments. The only highlight for the Blues was reaching the FA Trophy final against Valletta. As it happens in the BOV Premier League, the fight for survival in- volved the teams playing in the rel- egation pool with the exception of the top two teams which year after year secure safety after almost the first game of the format. Rabat Ajax and Vittoriosa were relegated from the division with the Magpies ending the campaign on a mere four points to their name. PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY ATTARD Coach of the Year Paul Zammit. Probably the best Coach not just this year, but presently in Maltese Football. Player of the Year Ryan Fenech. Fenech was consistent and brilliant in 2014 even during Valletta's most difficult times. Foreign Player of the Year Jhonatthan Benitez De Concei- cao (Birkirkara) Young Player of the Year Zach Muscat (Birkirkara) Best Goal Edward Herrera (Birkirkara) Top Scorer Edison Luis Dos Santos, Jhon- natthan Benitez De Conceicao, Stanley Ohawuchi; of Hiber- nians, Birkirkara and Sliema respectively. For the first time, this award was shared by three players who finished the season with an equal number of goals to their tally. Valletta players celebrate their victory as they went on to win the BOV Premier League championship A consolation prize for Birkirkara as they defeated Valletta 2-1 to win the BOV Super Cup