Match Report | Birkirkara FC - Olimpija Ljubljana

by Clayton Schembri - 30th July 2021

Birkirkara FC bowed out of the UEFA Europa Conference League second qualifying round with heads held high, as despite securing a victory over Olimpija Ljubljana after the one hundred twenty minutes, the latter advanced to the next round thanks only to the penalty shoot-out.

It was another collective effort from the Stripes, who played their hearts out, led by the continuous encouragement of Coach Andre Paus, who once again approached the game perfectly. The Club's latest signing, Jefferson Macedo, was drafted in the first-eleven selection, to replace Roderick Briffa, in a 4-3-3 formation.

Diego Venancio's spectacular opener with a great direct freekick which ended in the top left corner on the 27th minute had put the Stripes back on level terms on aggregate.

Olimpija had their first opportunity on the seventh minute. When Sava Petrov broke free on the left, sped into the area but his low shot was saved by an alert Daniel Fernandes.

Olimpija had another opportunity on the 18th minute. When Erik Gliha sent a cross into the path of the unmarked Mustafa Nukic who incredibly volleyed over from close in.

However, The Stripes had drew first blood with their first attempt at goal on 27 minutes. When Jeferson Macedo was floored on the edge of the area and from the resultant free-kick Diego Venancio's curling drive flew into the net.

The heat was now on the visitors, and a reaction was expected from them. However, thanks to Birkirkara's composure it never really arrived, as the Stripes remained in the driving seat and enjoying an edge over their frustrated opponents.

The Stripes went close to double the score just before the halftime. When Federico Falcone connected to Macedo's cross, but his header flew over.

After the break, The Stripes stayed in command and went close on the 48th minute. When Kurt Zammit found Claudio Bonanni but his volley flashed wide.

Olimpija had their first opportunity in the second half on the 58th minute. When in a swift break, Gal Kurez, who had just replaced Sava Petrov, sped inside the area and served the sprinting Seslar who fired over.

In the extra time the pressure on the Stripes increased. However, Birkirkara remained resilient, and the match had to be decided by the lottery of the penalty shoot-out.

PENALTY SEQUENCE

Pepe (B) scores 1-0; Elsnik (OL) scores 1-1; Venancio (B) scores 2-1; Spehar (OL) scores 2-2; Bezzina (B) scores 3-2; Tomic (OL) scores 3-3; Aguirre (B) scores 4-3; Ostrc (OL) scores 4-4; Mbong (B) misses 4-4; Aldair (OL) scores 5-4.

Birkirkara: Daniel Marcio Fernandes, Enrico Pepe, Yannick Yankam (Johann Bezzina 106), Luke Montebello (Paul Mbong 95), Kurt Zammit Diego Venancio, Federico Falcone (Roderick Briffa 101), Cain Attard, Claudio Bonanni (Ryan Scicluna 79), Oscar Carniello, Jeferson Fernandes Macedo (Leandro Aguirre 89)

Olimpija Ljubljana: Nejc Vodmar, Musatfa Nukic(29-Dino Spehar 95), Eric Boakye (Jan Andrejasic 106), Erik Gliha (62-Michael Pavlovic 56), Nik Kapun (10-Timi Elskin 65), Svit Seslar (Enrik Ostrc 106), Sava Petrov (Gal Kurez 56), Antonio Delamea-Mlinar, Uros Korun, Tomislav Tomic, Aldair.

Referee: Bram Van Driesccche (BEL)
Assistant Referees: Yves De Neve, Kevin Monteny (BEL)
Fourth Official: Kevin Van Damme (BEL)

Yellow Cards: Delamea Milnar, Yankam, Aldair, Korun, Aguirre, Briffa.

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