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A Glass Half Empty & Half Fullby Jonathan Spiteri19/01/2010 Many pundits and fans alike regarded the match versus Hibernians a reality check for both teams, and in fact that is what it turned out to be. While Hibernians are the reigning champions and Birkirkara were a distant cry in the hunt for last year's title, the two clubs’ policies this season are almost carbon copies of each other’s. Experienced players in either of the two teams can be counted on one hand, and these are surrounded with youngsters who represent the future of Maltese football. And from what we have witnessed during both matches so far between these two, and throughout the rest of the games so far, the future seems to be in good feet! 
Back to Monday’s encounter, the slippery conditions caused by the evening dew only partially hindered a really pleasant game of football to watch, especially for the neutrals. You could sense the tension through the ranks of both sets of supporters from miles away though, as it was imperative for both sides not to leave Ta’ Qali empty handed. One point could have easily been three, had we not spurned a couple of glorious chances and not conceded a goal while defending a set piece. No one could blame the Birkirkara supporters, who turned out for this match in acceptable numbers, for leaving the stadium in a subdued way. Still, even when in the first round it was the other way round (with our team salvaging a point with 2 goals down and a man sent off), the point earned was one! So let us not look at the empty half of the glass. Branko Nisevic, our player & assistant coach, was on mark for the first time in his new club colours, against one of his former clubs. This is what he had to say to us: “Definitely, when you loose 2 points in the last minute of the game you must be disappointed. The match looked balanced with both sides having some good chances; although ours looked a bit better especially those in the final part of the game. Unfortunately we couldn't use all our players for this game (due to injuries) and some others that could have played didn't recover 100% for this game. Bearing this in mind, I can say that our performance was very good, and even the coach's strategy for the game was the right one as he anticipated that in the last 15-20 minutes of the game we will be the team who will create chances, but unfortunately we didn't manage to score in any of our counter attacks.” We asked Branko how he felt about about scoring his first goal for Birkirkara: “It has been a few weeks now that the boys during the training started asking me when I was going to score! So here it is. Yes I was happy, but I was glad that the players around me looked even happier than myself. And this is what makes me happy, we are all as one, we are there for each other, and all the players appreciate the contribution of their team mates, no matter if it is somebody who played more or less games, because in this team every single player is important.” 
As usual, we have then shifted our focus on what the players think about our support, which is what we are there for. Nisevic, when asked whether he was personally pleased with our support on Monday in particular and during the season so far, he replied: “Knowing that the game was played on a working winter day, yes I can say that our supporters turned out in good numbers. Watching from the pitch I believe that our supporting side was better than that of Hibernians. And I am glad that those who came to watch didn't spare their voices, and chanted for us throughout the whole match.” He then continued: “I think that every game the support is getting 'stronger', not only larger in numbers, but also louder and more persistent in encouraging the players. Although Birkirkara’s enclosure side is not yet like a few years ago, I hope that team’s performances and results will bring all those Birkirkara fans back to the stadium. Support from the stand can be very important in difficult matches; every ‘OLE’ from the stand will push the players till their limits to do everything for the jersey they wear.” Finally he was asked if he has a message to all members of our group and to the supporters in general: “Yes, I wish to thank you for everything you do for the team. And I want to tell you that real supporters should always be with the team even when the team passes through bad times. We like to compare ourselves with players from Europe, and I think that even supporters should compare themselves with supporters from Europe (ideally England). We strive for improvement to reduce the gaps with other European teams and supporters should do the same thing. At the end I encourage you to give your best for this club, and I assure you that the players will give their best for this club and hopefully at the end of the season our club, the most successful Maltese club in the last decade, will be one honour richer!” 
I think we can look forward to our next game against Floriana with optimism, but not with overconfidence. The Greens have always caused us problems, especially when we thought they had a weaker side. We should have hopefully learnt the lesson from the first round defeat, and that the psychological approach this time needs to be completely different. I am sure that our players are doing, and will continue to do their utmost in order to remain at the table’s summit, giving us further reason to continue with our relentless support towards them and coach Mr Zammit. COME ON YELLOWS!!! |