Birkirkara 1
KI Klaksvik 1
Birkirkara: K. Naumovski, E. Herrera, A. Mrsulja, M. Andelkovic, J. Grech, E. Mancha, M. Mifsud, Fabiano, C. Attard, Marcelino (M. Stanimir), U. Umeh.
Klaksvik: K. Joensen, M. Dusak (S. Olsen), D. Pavlovic, J. Bjartalio (R. Moller-Iversen), P. Klettskard, H. Askham, O. Niclasen (M. Bergi), A. Andreasen, B. Dosljak, S. Hadzibulic, J. Kalso Danielsen.
Referee: B. Kasumi (Kosovo).
Asst refs: E. Zeqiri, F. Sekiraqa.
4th official: G. Nuza.
Scorers: M. Mifsud 70, D. Pavlovic 88
Yellow card: E. Herrera, J. Kalso Danielsen
Birkirkara's Michael Mifsud blasts home for his side's lead against KI Klaksvik. Photo: Domenic Aquilina
Birkirkara were on Thursday stunned by KI Klaksvik of the Faroe Islands who obtained a 1-1 draw thanks to an 88th minute headed goal from Deni Pavlovic.
It was their reply to Michael Mifsud's 70th minute strike which had given the Stripes a merited lead.
The draw gives Klaksvik the away goal advantage. In next week's 2nd leg, Birkirkara will have to win or draw 2-2 or more to advance to the first round. A 1-1 draw will mean extra time for the winners of the tie to be determined.
Birkirkara coach Paul Zammit had to play this first leg without the services of international midfielder Paul Fenech, who returned to the club this summer following a spell with Balzan. He suffered a groin injury during a training session earlier this week, but was present watching the match from the VIP sector of the Centenary Stadium. It is not yet known whether he will be available for the second leg in the Faroe Islands next week.
Otherwise, Zammit included only Naumovsky, Andelkovic, Herrera, Grech and Attard from last season's squad. Among the newcomers was veteran international striker Michael Mifsud together with Mrsulja, Mancha, Marcelino and Uchenna Umeh.
The first half was boring with neither side being able to test the respective goalkeepers with a single decent shot.
Birkirkara FC's Jake Grech (R) well in control against KI Klaksvik from the Faroe Islands. Photo: Domenic Aquilina
The Stripes, playing with the wind at their backs, dominated in midfield, but could not find their way past a well organised Klaksvik defence.
The strong wind had its say, of course, but it must be said that Birkirkara did not address this situation properly with several of their passes going out of hand on most occasions. As a consequence, strikers Fabiano and Mifsud had to chase the ball from long passes which often went astray or easily controlled by the visitors' defence.
Klaksvik never appeared to be threatening the Birkirkara defence and their main concentration was at the back - they seemed to be doing everything to avoid suffering a goal. And they were successful as after the first 45 minutes, the score was still goalless.
In the second half, Birkirkara showed improvement but still failed to test goalie Joensen seriously before Michael Mifsud finally found the net.
Pavlovic's goal gives Klaksvik the advantage, but I believe that the tie is still wide open to any result as Birkirkara showed they are not an inferior side.
The first action arrived on 14 minutes when from a long pass by Mrsulja, Umeh breasted the ball and beat his direct defender, only for goalie Joensen to anticipate the Birkirkara striker.
Michael Mifsud (R) of Birkirkara is about to be checked by KI Klaksvik's Semir Hadzibulic. Photo: Domenic Aquilina
On the 27th minute, a good Birkirkara move ended with a Herrera cross which was well handled by goalie Joensen ahead of Fabiano.
In the 37th minute, as the Stripes insisted in attack, Mifsud was through on the right flank, but his low cross found goalie Joensen well placed to intercept.
And two minutes from the interval, a good freekick by Jake Grech found no takers in front of the Klaksvik goal.
On the hour Birkirkara went close when Attard set Uchenna Umeh on the left flank, but the latter's dangerous cross was excellently dealt with by goalie Joensen before Fabiano could push the ball into the empty net.
At the other end, in their only attempt at goal till then - the 69th minute - Andreasen's long range effort went well over the bar.
A minute later, Birkirkara took the lead through a well-executed goal. Andelkovic set Grech outside the area, the latter's effort hit a Klaksvik defender and Michael Mifsud controlled well to fire home an unstoppable shot to the delight of the numerous Stripes fans.
Birkirkara seemed coasting to an important win, but two minutes from the end, they were stunned when from an Andreasen corner, it was Deni Pavlovic who headed into the Birkirkara net. It was the first away goal scored by Klaksvik in European club competitions.
And it could prove to be costly for Birkirkara!