Picture: Domenic Aquilina

 

Birkirkara claimed a precious result as they held Scottish side Hearts in a goalless draw in the first leg of the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League.

It was a valiant effort by the Stripes as they controlled a much more quoted side to claim a deserved draw. 

Hearts held the initiative for all the 90 minutes as Birkirkara’s aim was to control their opponents in their side, and their plan was successful as Hearts only had one action that was really dangerous.

This draw is important for Birkirkara as they denied the away goal to their opponents and can go to Scotland knowing the fact that they claim a historic qualification if they win or claim a draw with goals.

As expected, Hearts started the game on the attack and had their first chance after three minutes when a shot by Walker was blocked and from the rebound, Sammon beat Kopric with a low shot but he was flagged for offside.

Birkirkara had their first dangerous action on the 9th minute with a dangerous free-kick by Srdan Dimitrov that Hamilton neutralised. A minute later, a turning shot again by Walker finished off target.

Jamie Walker was the most dangerous for Hearts in attack and tried again on the 19th minute with a shot from outside the box but again without success as the effort finished off target.

Hearts kept trying to open the deadlock and on the 36th minute Kopric saved withhout difficulty a powerless header by Walker after a cross from the right side.

The last action of the first half came from Birkirkara on the 42nd minute as Shaun Bajada gave a good through ball in the space to Ryan Scicluna who tried with a shot from a difficult position with the ball finishing off target.

The second half kept the same rhythm as Hearts were dominating play but couldn’t break the well organised opponents.

Four minutes into the second half, Hearts had another action as from a corner Bubalovic cleared partially, Paterson headed in goal but found Kopric prepared as despite seeing the ball late saved in time.

The Scottish side had their best chance on the 63rd minute as Alim Öztürk tried his luck with a powerful effort from about 35 metres from goal. He managed to beat Kopric but found the crossbar denying his shot that saved Birkirkara.

Robbie Neilson included Delgado and Nicholson in an effort to strengthen their striking force but weren’t dangerous enough to Birkirkara and it was only on the 81st minute that Paterson tried with a shot that missed the goal after had blocked partially.

The last action of the game also came on the Scottish side as on the 91st minute Paterson tried with a header from a corner that finished ocer the bar.

 

Birkirkara: M. Koprić, C. Bubalovic, G. Sciberras, E. Marcelina, S. Dimitrov (E. Bilbao Zarate 93’), V. Plut, S. Bajada (F. Temile 81’), J. Zerafa, Scicluna (B. Marrotti 92’), Attard, Guillaumier

Hearts: J. Hamilton, C. Paterson, F. Rherras, I. Rossi, A. Öztürk, P. Kitchen (D. Cowie 30’), J. Walker (S. Nicholson 82’), P. Buaben, A. Djoum, C. Sammon (J. Delgado 74’), , D. Smith

Yellow Cards: E. Marcelina 52’ (B), C. Paterson 66’, A. Djoum 89’ (H)

Referee: Ivaylo Stoyanov (BUL)