Premier side Birkirkara FC were yesterday beaten 3-1 by visiting Dutch first division side Willem II Tilburg in a friendly at the Hibs Ground.

The Dutch dominated the first half and led 2-0 at the interval.

But in the second half, Birkirkara were a transformed side, reducing the gap through a Ciantar goal and pressing hard for an equaliser. Newcomer Etienne Barbara, who played the last 20 minutes, had a shot against the post and Mifsud Triganza had another effort cleared from over the line, before the Dutch scored a third goal in added injury time.

In their first match on Tuesday, Willem II had also beat Valletta by four goals to nil.