Birkirkara: A. Bledzewski, R. Sammut (S. Sadowski), G. Gallovich, K. Scicluna, L. Galea, W. Camenzuli, G. Mallia, M. Calascione (A. Tabone), A. Paradiso, H. Sbai (T. Paris), JP Mifsud Triganza
B 36 Torshavn: J. Mikkelsen, A. J dos Santos, H. Thorleifsson, M. Thomasen, F. Benjaminsen, J. Ellingsgaard (J. Gunnarsson), K. Jacobsen, B. Midjord (S. Hansen), K. Matras, D. Sylla (O. Okeke), H. Jacobsen
Referee: S. Shmolik (Belarus); Asst refs: V. Kalinovski, D. Siamonov. 4th official: I. Kruk
Scorers: Sylla 2, Thorleifsson
Yellow cards: M. Thomasen, W. Camenzuli, R. Sammut, K. Jacobsen, JP Mifsud Triganza, J. Ellingsgaard (O. Okeke)
Birkirkara’s dream of a lucrative fixture against Fenerbahce of Turkey in the second qualifying round seems to be over already.
After yesterday’s ugly defeat, I think it is an impossible task.
It was a very poor performance from all aspects – a defeat which goes on to expose the low levels of Maltese football.
Yesterday the team from the Faroe Islands seemed to be more or less of the same level, but even so, in their fewer attacks, they proved to be very menacing against a slow moving and hesitant Birkirkara defence.
And Birkirkara were also found wanting up front. Suffice to say that throughout the 90 minutes, they never really tested goalie Mikkelsen as the Torshavn defence was simply superior with Mifsud Triganza and Calascione completely outplayed and outnumbered.
The Stripes, depleted through the absence of several of their top players, including also Mark Anthony Bonnici, who had been expected to play, never got going against swifter and more determined opponents.
Birkirkara left a lot to be desired. They gave the impression that they were just an ordinary side and lacked the quality which made them local champions last season. Only Scicluna and, perhaps, Camenzuli could be exempted.
Their four new foreigners failed to make the desired impact with Bledzewski having some fault in the goals scored in the first half. Gallovich appeared to be slow in defence while Paradiso rarely got into the action as he and George Mallia were outgunned in midfield. Up front, Saib Hatim had two good runs, but nothing else. And this also applies to Mifsud Triganza and Calascione.
This all shows that Torshavn were a superior side, not only physically, but also technically with Dos Santos and Sylla proving to be two very good players.
The Stripes were shocked when on 14 minutes, Torshavn opened the scoring. Midjord received a long ball on the left, beat Sammut and crossed low for Sylla to control and fire a low shot past Bledzewski.
Birkirkara’s reply arrived on 22 minutes, but Paradiso’s shot from a freekick went well over the bar. On 30 minutes, Paradiso had another long distance effort deviated by a defender to corner.
On 31 minutes there was further disappointment for the Stripes as they suffered a second goal. From a long throw-in by Dos Santos, Jacobsen headed forward and Sylla was first to the ball to head past the static Bledzewski.
In added injury time it was Bledzewski who avoided a third goal as he dived sideways to save a good effort from the unmarked Ellingsgaard. Soon after Thomasen also went close with a grounder that just missed the upright.
On the 57th minute, Torshavn threatened again as Bledzewski was called to save a dangerous shot from Thomasen.
From then onwards, the match degenerated and we had to assist to some low quality football from both sides with the Stripes trying to score but failing to penetrate the Torshavn rearguard.
They could not find an open space and never really had a shot on target.
The final nail in the Stripes’ coffin was delivered by Thorleifsson who received a good ball from the back, slipped past Scicluna and beat Bledzewski with a low shot.
That was the end of it all. Their fans now hope to see their team improving to offer a strong defence of the title they won last season.