Match Report | Olimpija Ljubljana - Birkirkara FC

by Clayton Schembri - 23rd July 2021

Birkirkara FC played a good game against a higher ranked side and conceded a goal late in the game, after a very solid defensive display yesterday evening at the Sportni Park Stadium in Slovenia against Olimpija Ljubljana as the Slovenians eked out a 1-0 win.
Coach Andre Paus kept faith to the same starting eleven which drew 1-1 with La Fiorita last week, including new signings Leandro Aguirre and Jeferson Macedo as substitutes late in the game.

Ljubljana should have taken the lead after five minutes, when Aldair's through ball put Mustafa Nukic clear, but his attempt was denied by an excellent block from Daniel Fernandes.

The Stripes created their first opportunity on the 15th minute, when Claudio Bonanni had his shot ending over, after being served by Yannick Yankam.

Ljubljana went close again on the 26th minute, when Aldair tried to surprise Fernandes with a low shot on the near post but Luke Montebello was on hand to clear the danger.

Birkirkara surged ahead on the 30th minute when Cain Attard`s cross towards Federico Falcone was neutralised by the goalkeeper.
In the second half as was expected Olimpija Ljubljana held control of proceedings right from the outset with the Stripes showing good tactical organisation to try and close avenues to the Slovenian outfit.

However, the Stripes had a chance on the 56th minute, when Cain Attard found Yannick Yankam inside the area, but the young midfielder headed over.

A rare lapse by the stripes defence proved costly on the 78th minute, when Mustafa Nukic was given time and space to control the ball inside the area and the towering striker fired the ball past the diving Fernandes.

Ljubljana went close to double the score six minutes from time, when Aldair let fly a thumping drive that was touched by Fernandes onto the bar.

The Stripes had another chance to bring level in the dying minutes when they were awarded a central free kick but Diego Venancio's shot finished just over.

The return leg will be played at the Centenary Stadium on Thursday 29th July at 18:00.

Come on Stripes!

OLIMPIJA: Nejc Vidmar, Mustafa Nukic, Timi Elsnik, Eric Boakye, Erik Gliha (62' Michael Pavlovic), Svit Seslar (89' Enrik Ostrc), Sava Petrov (62' Gal Kurez), Antonio Delamea Mlinar, Uros Korun, Tomislav Tomic, Aldair.

BIRKIRKARA: Daniel Fernandes, Enrico Pepe, Yannick Yankam, Luke Montebello, Roderick Briffa (85' Jeferson Macedo), Kurt Zammit (79' Leandro Aguirre), Diego Venancio, Federico Falcone, Cain Attard, Claudio Bonanni (74' Ryan Sclcluna), Oscar Carniello.

Referee: David Fuxman (ISR)
Assistant referees: Sagy Metzamber, Omer Barbiro (ISR)
Fourth official: Nael Odeh (ISR)

Yellow cards: Zammit, Venancio, Tomic.

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