Maxuell Maia wheels away after scoring Birkirkara's winner against Sliema Wanderers. Photo: Domenic Aquilina
SLIEMA WANDERERS 0
BIRKIRKARA 1
Maia 120
SLIEMA WANDERERS
K. Agu, N. Frendo, A. Magri Overand, V. Plut (102 K. Nwoko), M. Beerman, G. Alcino, Wescley (60 G. Acheampong), H. Freire Murillo, S. Zibo, S. Pisani, M. Awad (80 M. Priadun).
BIRKIRKARA
G. Volpe, P. Gaitan (85 S. Dimech), T. Papazov (75 L. Cordova Mina), P. Mbong, K. Reid (88 Y. Gnamien), A. Satariano, L. Lacunza, N. Micallef, A. Coppola, S. Makoma, M. Maia.
Referee: Alex Johnson.
Yellow card: Micallef.
Attendance: 2,663
Birkirkara booked their place in Saturday’s Top Four final when they scored deep into stoppage time of extra-time to see off Sleima Wanderers in the first semi-final yesterday.
Maxuell Maia turned out to be Birkirkara’s hero as the prolific Brazilian headed home the winner in the second minute of stoppage time to break Sliema Wanderers’ hearts and set up a showdown against Floriana or Ħamrun Spartans, who face each other tonight.
It was a dramatic ending to a match that provided very little in terms of entertainment as both teams were attentive not to concede, and as the minutes passed, the physical exertions on both sets of players took their toll.
But in the end, Birkirkara struck the killer blow at the death to not only proceed to the final but more importantly, assure themselves of returning to European football next season.
Paul Zammit decided to tinker with his formation, making three changes from the team that started the 4-1 victory over Mosta. Vito Plut reclaimed his place after suspension as Henrique Murilo Freire was preferred to Jean Borg, while Maksym Priadum was the one who made way for Mohamed Awad.
On their part, Birkirkara’s changes were restricted to defence with Tomislav Papazov returning from suspension, drafted back to the starting formation as Pablo Gaitan was preferred to Agustin Sandona who had to settle for a place on the bench.
Stefano De Angelis’s game plan was to keep it tight at the back as this defensive duo was deployed in the heart of a five-man defence that featured Alessandro Coppola at the centre, Neil Micallef on the left and Lautaro Lacunza on the right.
Birkirkara almost started in sensational fashion as they did everything but score inside the first 10 minutes when Lacunza raced clear on the right flank, but Maxuell Maia failed to follow the action, and the chance went begging.
The Stripes continued on the same vein as Alexander Satariano crossed for Maia who guided straight at Kelvin Emeka Agu.
Having struggled to break out of their own half in the opening stages, Awad picked up the ball and bored down on the right flank, sped past Gaitan before hitting a low drive which was blocked by Giacomo Volpe.
Encouraged by that attack, Sliema began to commit more men forward, a strategy that produced a period of sustained pressure with Volpe having to quickly run out his lines to block Myles Beerman’s cross.
The Blues were consistently profiting down Birkirkara’s right while a powerful Plut strike finished just wide of the far post.
Just before half-time, a corner by Gaitan was met by Satariano’s diagonal shot, with the ball a Sliema defender on the way out.
Early in the second half, Sliema rediscovered some of their attacking impetus. After 50 minutes, some lovely triangulation down the inside right by Plut and Simon Zibo worked an opening in the box for Awad who stole in between Micallef and Coppola with Volpe having to get down quickly to deny the Blues forward.
Past the hour mark, Awad should have done better when he embarked on a solo run, tried to put Plut clean in front of Volpe, but allowed Papazov to get just enough of a touch with a last-ditch block to divert the ball to safety.
That was his last contribution as the Bulgarian defender limped out after stretching his leg to stop Awad again in the Birkirkara box.
Seven minutes from time, Sliema won a free-kick on the edge of the area, but Maksim Priadun’s shot flashed wide.
Just before stoppage time, Satariano played a through-ball towards substitute Gnamien Yikpe, but the forward was anticipated by Henrique Murillo as the match dragged to extra time.
The first half of extra-time was devoid of any action, as both players were struggling with their physical fitness, as the toll of a long season was leaving its effect.
The only opportunity came on 105 minutes when Geoffrey Acheampong fed Kyrian Nwoko, who fired wide.
Sliema had another chance on 115 minutes when from a Steve Pisani corner, Gustavo Alcino’s header flashed wide.
The final five minutes produced nothing in terms of goalscoring chances and it looked as though that a penalty shoot-out would decide the match.
However, Maxuell Maia had other plans as Birkirkara won a free-kick and Shaun Dimech’s delivery was met by the prolific Maxuell Maia who headed the ball past Agu to send the Birkirkara clan into raptures.
