Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/952911
maltatoday SUNDAY 11 MARCH 2018 51 PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTINE BORG Birkirkara ................... 1 Balzan ........................ 3 WARREN ZAMMIT THE second match at the Nation- al Stadium was a much awaited clash between Birkirkara and Balzan. This match was an im- portant one for both sides. After losing two points against Gżira, Balzan were looking to beat the stripes in order to remain first. On the other hand, Birkirkara wanted a win in order to consoli- date their position as one of the top three sides. Paul Zammit made two changes to the team that edged past Lija Athletic. Walder Jesus Acosta Fer- reira and Jake Grech made way for Ognjen Rolovic and Carlos Alber- to Da Silva Goncalves Junior. On the other hand, Marko Mi- covic made just one change to the team that was held by Gżira. Mi- los Lepovic replaced the suspend- ed Bojan Kaljevic. Balzan were the better side dur- ing the first half. Carlos Eduardo De Fiori Mendes was always prominent in all their attacks. In fact, it seemed that Birkirkara's defence could not contain him. The Premier League leaders made a flying start to the match as they forged ahead after eleven minutes. De Fiori Mendes deliv- ered a low cross towards Milos Lepovic who slotted the ball past Kristijan Naumovski. On the 17th minute, De Fio- ri Mendes sent Alfred Effiong through on goal, but the latter was anticipated by Naumovski before he could shoot. Birkirkara hit back on the 22nd minute. Carlos Alberto Da Silva Goncalves Junior delivered the ball towards Srdan Dimitrov whose effort went wide. The post denied Balzan from scoring again on the 26th minute. De Fiori Mendes sent a shot from a free-kick that hit the upright. Two minutes later, De Fiori Mendes sent another excellent through ball towards Effiong. Naumovski rushed out of his po- sition and brought down the Mal- tese International outside of the penalty area. Balzan's players and supporters protested harshly for a red card; however, the referee opted for a yellow card. From the resulting free-kick, De Fiori Mendes delivered a ball in the direction of Uros Ljubomirac whose effort was saved by Nau- movski. Birkirkara replied on the 39th minute. Kurt Zammit delivered a cross towards Fernando Barbosa Pereira whose header was neutral- ised by Ivan Janjusevic. Balzan regrouped and went close again a minute later. Following a corner, Naumovski failed to neu- tralise the ball. From the rebound, Effiong's shot took a deflection off a defender and went out for a corner. Micovic's side remained the best team throughout the second half and managed to score two more goals. Balzan doubled their lead on the 49th minute. Alex Da Paixao Alves sent a pass from the left towards the unmarked De Fiori Mendes who placed the ball past Naumovski. Naumovski denied Balzan from scoring again on the 55th min- ute. Following a fast counter, Ljubomirac sent a pass in the di- rection of Da Paixao Alves. The Brazilian fired a shot on goal, but saw his effort being saved by Birkirkara's shot stopper. Birkirkara finally threatened Balzan on the 65th minute. Kurt Zammit delivered a cross towards Ognjen Rolovic and the latter forced a great save from Janjuse- vic. Effiong sealed the issue for Balzan on the 74th minute. The thirty-three year old striker re- ceived the ball from Justin Grioli and finished home from close range. Birkirkara pulled one back on the 88th minute. Jake Grech squared the ball for Ryan Scicluna who managed to put the ball be- hind Sean Mintoff. However, this was too late for Birkirkara as Balzan remained solid to take home three precious points. Birkirkara starting line-up: Kris- tijan Naumovski, Edward Herrera, Fernando Barbosa Pereira, Mislav Andelkovic, Kurt Zammit, Ognjen Rolovic (Gianluca Zammit- 83), Nikola Vukanac, Carlos Alberto Da Sailva Goncalves Junior, Srdan Dimitrov (Jake Grech- 54), Ryan Scicluna, Cain Attard (Ayrton At- tard – 83) Balzan starting line-up: Ivan Jan- jusevic (Sean Mintoff- 76), Uros Ljubomirac, Alfred Effiong, Elkin Orlando Serrano Valero, Paul Fenech, Ivan Bozovic (Justin Gri- oli- 63), Michael Johnson, Steve Bezzina, Alex Da Paixao Alves (Siraj Eddin Arab- 73), Milos Lepovic, Carlos Eduardo De Fiori Mendes Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann Assistant Referees: Duncan Sul- tana, Jurgen Spiteri Additional Assistant Referees: Mario Apap, Philip Farrugia Fourth Official: Dusan Petrovic Yellow Cards: Edward Her- rera (Birkirkara), Alfred Ef- fiong (Balzan), Michael Johnson (Balzan), Kristijan Nau- movski (Birkirkara), Ivan Bozovic (Balzan), Carlos Eduardo De Fiori Mendes (Balzan) BOV Player of the Match: Carlos Eduardo De Fiori Mendes (Balzan) Sports SPORTTODAY FOOTBALL FA Trophy Sliema Wanderers - St. Andrews ............ 1-0 Naxxar Lions - Hamrun Spartans ............ 1-4 Senglea Athletic - Floriana .................... 0-0 Birkirkara - Balzan ................................. 1-3 Tomorrow - National Stadium 14:00 Mosta - Gzira United 16:00 Valletta - Hibernians England - Premier League Manchester United - Liverpool .............2-1 Everton - Brighton & Hove Albion ........2-0 Huddersfield Town - Swansea City ........0-0 Newcastle United - Southampton ........3-0 West Bromwich Albion - Leicester City ..1-4 West Ham United - Burnley .................0-3 Chelsea - Crystal Palace .......................2-1 Today 14:30 Arsenal - Watford 17:00 AFC Bournemouth - Tottenham H. Tomorrow 21:00 Stoke City - Manchester City Italy - Serie A Hellas Verona - ChievoVerona ................ Late Today 12:30 Fiorentina - Benevento 15:00 Bologna - Atalanta 15:00 Cagliari - Lazio 15:00 Crotone - Sampdoria 15:00 Juventus - Udinese 15:00 Sassuolo - SPAL 2013 18:00 Genoa - AC Milan 20:45 Inter - SSC Napoli Spain - LaLiga Eibar - Real Madrid ................................ 1-2 Sevilla - Valencia ................................... 0-2 Getafe - Levante .................................... 0-1 Malaga - Barcelona ............................... Late Today 12:00 Espanyol - Real Sociedad 16:15 Atletico Madrid - Celta Vigo 18:30 Las Palmas - Villarreal 20:45 Athletic Bilbao - Leganes Tomorrow 21:00 Alaves - Real Betis Germany - Bundesliga Bayern Munich - Hamburger SV ............. 6-0 Hannover 96 - Augsburg ....................... 1-3 Hertha Berlin - Freiburg ......................... 0-0 Hoffenheim - Wolfsburg ........................ 3-0 Bayern L. - Borussia M. .......................... 2-0 Today 15:30 VfB Stuttgart - RasenBallsport Leipzig 18:00 Borussia Dortmund - E. Frankfurt Football Results & Fixtures Birkirkara suffer first defeat Birkirkara's unbeaten run came to an end as they suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Balzan