Mifsud Triganza inspires Birkirkara in low-key match

Birkirkara 3
Hartvig 11, Cilia 68, Mifsud Triganza 85
Floriana 1
Anonam 90

In the final weeks of a season, teams are either fighting for the title, a passport to Europe or to allay the sceptre of relegation.

The race for the championship crown in the 2008-09 Premier League is still very much alive, with Valletta and Hibs the two sole challengers for the coveted prize.

Further down the table, the quest for survival is equally intriguing with four teams still in contention but interest in clashes involving the other also-rans in the Championship Pool is conspicuous by its absence.

This was very much in evidence yesterday when Birkirkara met Floriana. Their match was no more than a mere stroll in the Ta' Qali sunshine, the dearth of drama and excitement on the field of play doing little to enliven the lacklustre atmosphere.

Birkirkara emerged 3-1 winners to halt a negative run of three defeats on the trot which had killed their title chances.

As for Floriana, this upset extended their winless run to six Championship Pool matches.

Birkirkara coach John Buttigieg responded to his team's lame display in the 1-0 upset to Sliema Wanderers by making four changes to his starting line-up.

Goalkeeper Omar Borg, Shawn Bajada, Paul Fenech and Krasen Valkov were dropped from the team to make way for Bernard Paris, Thomas Paris, Martin Anastasi and Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza. The latter had an outstanding match as he forged a two-pronged attack with captain Michael Galea.

Deprived of Christian Caruana, who failed to see off a nagging ankle injury, and Ryan Darmanin, who was among the substitutes, Floriana coach Tony Alamango started with Orosco Anonam up front, and Marlon Briffa and Luke Agius taking up advanced positions on the wings.

The first notable chance came Birkirkara's way after nine minutes. Alan Tabone's free-kick from the inside-left channel was met by the diving Ron Hartvig but his header whizzed wide of the near post.

Floriana failed to take measures to douse Hartvig's aerial threat in set-plays and the Dane duly capitalised on 11 minutes.

Tabone again swung in an inviting cross from a free-kick and Hartvig this time used his height to glance his header past Glen Zammit.

Hartvig's early opener was followed by a passage of tepid football with Birkirkara seemingly happy to go through the motions against a lethargic Floriana side.

As the end of the first half approached, Floriana began to show themselves more often in Birkirkara's half but their efforts were devoid of creativity.

Three minutes before the end of the first half, Trevor Cilia produced a fine cross from the right and Mifsud Triganza rose well to head the ball towards goal but Floriana keeper Glen Zammit saved.

On the verge of half-time, Floriana came tantalisingly close to levelling matters.

Mauro Brincat's low cross from a corner rolled into the goalmouth where Anonam just managed to push the ball goalwards but Anastasi was on the line to clear the danger.

Early in the second half, Mifsud Triganza lifted the ball over the dithering Julian Briffa and ran into the box but his low strike was kept out by Zammit.

With Pablo Doffo dictating matters in midfield, Floriana intensified their efforts in search of an equaliser.

Marlon Briffa managed to squeeze in a low cross but Anonam just failed to make contact with the ball.

In their next foray, Birkirkara doubled their lead.

Mifsud Triganza evaded Floriana's offside trap to sprint unimpeded into the box before squaring to the unmarked Cilia who drove the ball into the net.

With 12 minutes left, Doffo threatened to revive interest in the game when he unleashed a piledriver but the Argentine was thwarted by Paris who pawed the ball away for a corner.

Birkirkara wrapped up the three points when, with five minutes left, Fenech, on as a second-half substitute, released Mifsud Triganza who swept past Zammit and sidefooted the ball home from a somewhat angled position.

In stoppage time, Anonam scored a consolation goal for Floriana when he met Brincat's free-kick with a downward header.

Birkirkara
B. Paris-6, T. Paris-6, J. Zerafa-5.5, T. Cilia-6, I. Sokolov-6, R. Hartvig-6.5, A. Tabone-6 ('65 P. Fenech-6), J.P. Mifsud Triganza-7.5, M. Anastasi-5.5 ('46 S. Bajada-5.5), G. Mallia-5.5 ('85 L. Sciberras), M. Galea-5.

Floriana
G. Zammit-6, J. Briffa-5, D. Pisani-5.5, S. Eboh-6.5, O. Anonam-6, M. Briffa-6.5, C. Camoin-6, J. Borg-5, L. Agius-4 ('35 D. Zarb-5), M. Brincat-6, P. Doffo-7.

Referee: Andre Arciola.

Yellow cards: Anonam; Tabone; Zarb.

BOV player of the match: J.P. Mifsud Triganza (Birkirkara).