Impressive Stripes make it to the next round of Europa League

by Ayrton Galea - 10th July 2015

An impressive Birkirkara FC side registered a historic victory at the Republican Stadium in Armenia, when on Thursday night they beat Ulisses FC 3-1, to qualify to the second round of the UEFA Europa League.

It was the first away victory on the pitch in the Club's UEFA competitions' history. The Stripes built a comfortable two-goal lead in the first half thanks to goals by Miccoli and Mazzetti. Ulisses then pulled one back, but Birkirkara quickly put their minds at rest with the third goal by Fenech.

Fabrizio Miccoli, given the nod to start for the first time, laid down an early maker, as the former Italian National Team striker, scored the first goal. He followed up with an accurate free-kick, to set-up the second goal. Miccoli was also unlucky to hit the crossbar with a splendid effort from a direct free-kick effort in the first half.

Coach Giovanni Tedesco made three changes from the home-leg match. Ini Akpan was trusted between the posts, substituting the injured Justin Habet. Edin Murga replaced Edmond Agius, while Fabrizio Miccoli replaced Vito Plut.

The First Half

The opening minutes belonged to Ulisses who went out aggressive, as they did in the first leg. However, the Stripes were showing great resilience not to concede an early goal in such a crucial phase.

The Stripes began to settle down, encouraged by the continuous instructions of coach Tedesco, and they stepped-up their level. In their first scoring opportunity, after twelve minutes, Morais' shot brought protests for a penalty following an alleged hands-ball, but the referee waved play-on.

Birkirkara surged ahead on the twenty-first minute. Rowen Muscat's persistent pressure forced the defender to try to clear. However, the ball fell in the path of Fabrizio Miccoli, whose first-time shot saw the ball rolling into an empty net, to the joy of the Birkirkara supporters.

The abilities of Miccoli, were clear to see, as just four minutes later, he delivered a brilliant free-kick only to be denied by the crossbar, with the Ulisses goalkeeper surprised and beaten.

Ulisses reacted on the twenty-seven minute, with a free-kick by David Khurtsidze, but his effort ended wide. Three minutes later, Ini Akpan was tested for the first time with a great shot by Artak Aleksanyan but the Stripes goalkeeper pulled off a fantastic save.

The Stripes' outstanding display at the back, frustrated the hosts, and they could only rely on shots from distance. Three minutes from half-time, Giorgi Khubua tried a shot from outside the box, but it was easily saved by the alert Akpan.

Birkirkara doubled their lead just two minutes from half-time. Miccoli, scorer of the first goal, played a key role by delivering a brilliant free-kick on the first post which saw Mauricio Mazzetti sprinting inside the box before hitting a terrific header past the goalkeeper.

With Ulisses having no time to react, the Stripes headed to their dressing rooms enjoying a two-goal lead.

The Second Half

Ulisses threatened with a direct free-kick by Artak Aleksanyan, but goalkeeper Ini Akpan had no trouble to save his effort.

The Stripes went close to adding their third goal on the fifty-second minute when Edin Murga had a solo-action. He dribbled past his marker before, his in-swinging strike was turned into a corner, by Beglaryan.

From the resulting corner kick, the Stripes were once again denied by another great save, when Miccoli's second post corner found Mazzetti who headed the ball in the path of Morais, but his close-range header was blocked by the Ulisses goalkeeper.

Aleksanyan, who was continually pushing forward, tried his luck with a shot from outside the box on the sixty-third minute, but his effort ended over.

Coach Giovanni Tedesco made use of all his three substitutions in the space of five minutes. He made his first substitution on the seventy-fifth minute when, Fabrizio Miccoli was replaced by Edmond Agius.

Two minutes later, Ellinton Morais was replaced by Vito Plut, while three minutes later, on the seventieth minute, Edin Murga was replaced by Terence Vella.

Ulisses got back in the match on the seventy-first minute, as they pulled one back. Aleksanyan delivered a corner from the right, and Konstantin Morozov's first-time effort went past Akpan.

Things for the Stripes continued turning sour, as just four minutes later, in a controversial incident, Terence Vella was adjudicated to hit an opponent and was sent off, leaving the Stripes with ten players.

However, when things began look glum for the Stripes, the players showed a solid character, and regained a two-goal lead in the last ten minutes. Rowen Muscat exchanged possession with substitute Plut, and as the latter penetrated the box, he was floored, by Levan Dzharkava with the referee ordering the penalty-kick. From the spot, Paul Fenech, made no mistake as he sent the ball to one side, and the goalkeeper to another.

Just a minute later, mathematical parity was regained, as Artak Aleksanyan made a harsh tackle on Ryan Camenzuli, and the referee showed him a straight red card.

The referee's full-time found the Birkirkara faithful erupting in joy, for a historic result. Deservingly, the players celebrated in front of the loud Birkirkara supporters that had travelled from Malta to support their beloved players.

BIRKIRKARA: Ini Akpan, Mauricio Mazzetti, Nikola Vukanac, Paul Fenech, Ryan Camenzuli, Joseph Zerafa, Zach Muscat, Rowen Muscat, Fabrizio Miccoli (64' Edmond Agius), Edin Murga (70' Terence Vella), Ellinton Morais (67' Vito Plut).

ULISSES: Arsen Beglaryan, Ivan Mamakhanov, Rade Dugalic, Konstantin Morozov, Levan Dzharkava (70' Zamir Dzhanashiya), Igor Paderin, David Khurtidze, Irakiy Geperidze, Artak Aleksanyan, Giorgi Khubua, Joel Tshibamba (53' Nika Piliev).

Referee: Nicolas Laforge (BEL)
Assistant Refeees: Laurent Conotte, Danny Huens (BEL)
Fourth Official: Laurent Colemonts (BEL)

Yellow Cards: 26' Mauricio Mazzetti, 38' Paul Fenech.

Red Cards: 75' Terence Vella (Birkirkara), 81' Artak Aleksanyan (Ulisses).

Scorers: 21' Fabrizio Miccoli, 43' Mauricio Mazzetti, 80' Paul Fenech (Birkirkara), 71' Konstantin Morozov (Ulisses).

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