Birkirkara FC beat MSK Zilina
by Ayrton Galea - 14th July 2010
Birkirkara FC have achieved what seemed to be an impossible task as on Tuesday night in the Centenary Stadium, they overcame the challenge of Slovakia's giants, MSK Zilina.
This was the 3rd consecutive victory for the 'Stripes' as they managed to beat Santa Coloma in both legs and MSK Zilina in the 1st leg.
It was an odd goal by the Serb Defender, Nikola Vukanac after just forty-seven seconds that made all the difference.
Mr. Paul Zammit had to go for the match without the services of Trevor Cilia, Rowen Muscat, Thomas Paris and Sylvano Comvalius.
The match could not open in a better way when after just forty seconds Birkirkara were awarded a freekick in the middle of the field. Shaun Bajada took the freekick and the Zilina goalie gave the illusion he had saved without any difficulty. But this was not the case as Vukanac managed to put the ball into the net.
From then on, Birkirkara knew that this was a very difficult test and they adopted a very defensive game which give the Slovakia's side little chance of scoring.
After this goal, Zilina reply was by a weak shot that was saved by the 'Stripes' goalie who was in excellent form. On the 12th minute a freekick by Patrick Mraz ended wide.
After that freekick, our midfield was in superb form and controlled Zilina well and avoided giving the chance to Zilina to play their game.
On the 32nd minute, Zilina had their best chance to equalize when Thomas Oravec header was neutralized by an excellent save from Esequiel.
In the two minute in added time for the first half, Shaun Bajada's freekick ended wide.
The first half score line saw Birkirkara just 45 minutes away from their first victory in their 1st match in the 2nd qualifying round of the Champions League.
The second half nothing much changed as Birkirkara continued to play their defensive game very well with the visitors trying to find at least a goal.
After just two minutes in the second half a lob shot from Paul Fenech was neutralized with difficulty from the Zilina's goalie.
Three minutes later, Esequiel saved with no difficulty a cross from the visitor's side.
Martin Dubraka, the Zilina's goalie saved a long distance freekick by the solitary Shaun Bajada.
On the 59th minute, Lovizon performed another good save to keep the 'Stripes' hopes alive when from the right, a cross by Rilke was deflected by Majtan with Zosak's effort was blocked by Birkirkara's goalie which once again manage to save the rebound as well.
On the 68th minute, Zilina missed another good opportunity when Majtan's shot ended wide after receiving a good through ball inside the area.
Nine minutes later, Esequiel neutralized a freekick from Mraz and on the 79th minute they managed to hit the upright bar.
After 5 minutes of added time, Simon Lee Evans's whistle found the Birkirkara FC supporters applauding the players for the positive result and performance
This win leaves Birkirkara FC with the hope of making it through to the 3rd round of the UEFA Champions League.
The 2nd leg will be played on Wednesday at 19:30 in Zilina, Slovakia.
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