Stripes punished by Krasnodar with late goals
by Ayrton Galea - 29th July 2016
Birkirkara FC suffered an undeserved 3-0 defeat in the first-ever third qualifying match in European Competitions as a goal before half-time and two goals in the last fifteen minutes gave Krasnodar FC a comfortable victory.
The 3-0 defeat suggests a one-way traffic for the visitors but it was undeserved defeat for the high-flying Stripes especially for all their efforts in the second-half when they could have equalised through a number of dangerous scoring opportunities.
The Stripes looked to be heading to their dressing room in a goal-less draw following another brilliant tactical display but a goal in the added time of the first-half, just before the half-time whistle, put the visitors ahead in the perfect time. Against the run of the play, they doubled the lead fifteen minutes of the second-half from a penalty and added undeserved gloss to their victory with a late third goal.
Coach Drazek Besek handed the debut to Serbian forward Dejan Djordjevic, as in the only change from last week's historic match, he replaced Edward Herrera. Defender Jovic, who is still recovering from an injury, started on the substitutes' bench and Vukanac made it on time to be part of the eighteen-man squad.
Djordjevic, who had a fine performance, joined Plut in attack as Besek fielded a typical 4-1-3-2 formation. Marcelina was once again preferred in a centre-back role with Sciberras taking-up a defensive-midfielder role. Bajada and Scicluna both retained their place following an excellent performance last week at the either side of the technical Dimitrov who was among the most dangerous players for the Stripes.
The First Half
The Stripes started strongly. Goalkeeper Stanislav Kritciuk was forced to come out of position after two minutes to intercept the on-running Vito Plut following an excellent drop-kick by Kopric that set the Slovenian forward through.
Birkirkara threatened again after eleven minutes. Bajada and Dimitrov combined well before the latter showed great technique to get avoid his marker but his dangerous cross was cleared into safety by the Krasnodar defender.
Krasnodar began to dictate matter and they tested Kopric first on the fifteen minutes. A free-kick from the right saw Kopric mis-timing his outing, with the ball falling to the path of Ariclenes Da Silva Ferreira whose over-head kick was saved by the Birkirkara goalkeeper.
Forward Ferreira was proving to be one of the most dangerous players for the visitors and he went close on putting his side in the lead after twenty-six minutes. An inviting through-ball zipped-up the defence and Ferreira's header hit the crossbar with Kopric beaten.
The visitors continued to push forward. On the thirty-fourth minute, a cross from the right was met with a slight deflection that put Fedor Smolov in an ideal position inside the box but his shot was blocked by an excellent save of Kopric.
Birkirkara also went close on the fourty-first minute. It was a direct corner kick by the ambitious Shaun Bajada that surprised the defence but his effort was denied by the foot of the post as the ball ended into a goal-kick.
The match seemed to be heading for a goal-less first half but Krasnodar took the lead in the added time of the first-half. A corner from the left by Mauricio Pereyra, Stefan Strandberg headed the ball down to Captain Andreas Granqvist to hit home from close range.
The Second Half
One goal down at home, the Stripes went out with all guns blazing. They dictated the opening moments and after seven minutes, Dimitrov delivered a low-cross to Plut who had his shot ending over. Moments later, the Slovenian forward failed the target with another fine effort.
The Stripes went close on bringing the score level with their most dangerous action. A through-ball by Scicluna penetrated the defence to put Plut on the run past the defence and he dashed forward inside the box but his effort was well-saved by goalkeeper Kritciuk.
Have seen his side dictating matters for most of the second-half, Besek affected a double substitution past the hour mark. He brought on Frank Temile off Dejan Djordjevic as the Croatian Coach included a fresh pair of legs up-front while in the other substitution, Mislav Andelkovic, who signed a new contract last week, replaced Shaun Bajada.
Birkirkara continued to seek for the equalizing goal, but against the run of the play, Krasnodar doubled the lead. Forward Aricienes Da Silva Ferreira went down on the soft challenge of Emerson Marcelina but the referee had no doubts and pointed to the spot. Fedor Smolov made no mistake from the spot.
The Stripes woes' increased when Ryan Scicluna was sent off for them for the second yellow card three minutes from time.
Krasnodar added undeserved gloss to their victory when they added the third goal just a minute later. Substitutes Wanderson and Laborde combined well with a quick one-two passes as Wanderson served Laborde past the Birkirkara defence and Laborde hit a low shot past Kopric.
BIRKIRKARA: Miroslav Kopric, Christian Bubalovic, Gareth Sciberras, Marcelina Emerson, Srdjan Dimitrov (83′ Matthew Guillaumier), Dejan Djordjevic (62′ Mislav Andjelkovic), Vito Plut, Shaun Bajada (61′ Frank Temile), Joseph Zerafa, Ryan Scicluna, Cain Attard.
KRASNODAR: Stanislav Kritciuk, Marat Izmaylov, Stefan Strandberg, Dmitry Torbinskiy, Andreas Granqvist, Iurii Gazinskii, Ari (76′ Wanderson), Odil Akhmedov (83′ Joaozinho), Mauricio Pereyra (64′ Ricardo Laborde), Artur Jędrzejczyk, Fedor Smolev.
Referee: Bart Vertenten (BEL).
Assistant referees: Rien Vanyzere, Thibaud Nijssen (BEL).
Fourth official: Bram Van Driessche (BEL).
Yellow Cards: 20' Ryan Scicluna (Birkirkara), 7' Iurii Gazinskii, 39' Mauricio Pereyra (Krasnodar).
Red Cards: 88' Ryan Scicluna (Birkirkara).
Scorers: 45+1' Andreas Granqvist, 75' Fedor Smolev, 88' Ribardo Laborde (Krasnodar).
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