Late goals eliminate Birkirkara
by Matthaeus Grasso - 22nd July 2010
Birkirkara were eliminated from the UEFA Champions league as on Wednesday night they suffered a 3-0 defeat against MSK Zilina of Slovakia. With this result, our opponents progressed to the next round with a 3-1 aggregate.
Last week, on Tuesday Birkirkara managed to beat the Slovak Champions in the home leg thanks to a solitary goal by Nikola Vukanac but this time, it was a different story as the opponents, buoyed on by a ferocious crowd, forced Birkirkara to defend in order to prevent Zilina from scoring.
Mr. Paul Zammit didn't have all his players available for selection, as Trevor Cilia was ruled out with an injury whilst Andrew Decesare was suspended. New signing Emiliano Lattes was ineligible to play, so things for the 'Stripes' looked even harder.
Zilina commenced their attacking display on the 9th minute, but Lovizon deflected the ball into a corner-kick.
On the 18th minute, Birkirkara had their first attempt on goal thanks to Shaun Bajada.
Zilina continued to press forward and, their efforts were awarded as three minutes later, Jozef Piacek beat Lovizon for the first time and equalized the aggregate scoreline.
On the 28th minute, Michael Galea hit wide, and three minutes later it was the same Galea who had his effort saved by Martin Dúbravka.
On the 37th minute there was another conclusion by Zilina this time thanks to Tomáš Oravec who saw the 'Stripes' goalie block his effort.
At the end of the first half, the score read 1-0.
The 2nd half saw little change, as Zilina resumed the search for another important goal.
On 57 minutes from a corner by Patrik Mráz, Tomáš Oravec missed the target.
Seven minutes later it was another corner by Patrik Mráz who found his team mate Jozef Pia?ek with the latter's effort ending wide.
On the 77th minute, Zilina scored the all-important second goal and made the aggregate 2-1, when Ivan Lietava beat Lovizon for the 2nd time in the game.
On the 79th minute, 'MFA Player of the Year', Shaun Bajada directed a freekick from outside the area which was saved by the Zilina goalie.
On the 86th minute a freekick on the other side of the pitch was struck by Stefan Zoeak, with Lovizon performing a good save.
Two minutes in added time, two become three as Zilina managed to score another goal to eliminate Birkirkara with a 3-1 aggregate.
Although eliminated, Birkirkara made their supporters proud as in this year's edition, the 'Stripes' won no less than three consecutive matches in the UEFA Champions League Qualification rounds, and ours, was the first Maltese team to register a victory in the 2nd qualification round.
Well done Yellows!
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