Birkirkara: O. Borg, T. Paris (C. Zammit), T. Cilia, A. Tabone, S. Bajada, P. Fenech (R. Muscat), J. Zerafa, P. Borg, A. Scicluna, S. Comvalius, A. Buhagiar (L. Sciberras)

Slaven Belupo: S. Rodic, K. Rogus, D. Poldruvic, A. Vojnovic (M. Delic), S. Posavec (M. Bilen), V. Puric, B. Vrucina, M. Suric ( M. Poredski), N. Nynkeu, A. maras, C. Csizmadia

Referee: G. Daloukas

Yellow cards: B. Vrucina, O. Borg, L. Sciberras

A diligent Birkirkara side managed to hold NK Slaven Belupo, their opponents from Croatia, to a goalless draw yesterday in the return match of the first qualifying round of the Europa League.

However, that was not enough to see the locals through, after suffering a minimal 1-0 defeat in Croatia.

Birkirkara continued where they had left off in the first leg, staying composed, defending with five men at the back and three midfielders providing ample cover as Comvalius and Cilia played in the more advanced role.

At times, Birkirkara could have also scored that important goal which could have levelled matters, but in all fairness, Belupo also created some scoring opportunities in a low key match that only came to life in flashes.

Belupo settled in well as they went all out for an early goal. They looked menacing with free kicks from Maras and Vrucina that narrowly missed the target. On 20 minutes the Birkirkara keeper Borg was called to block a Juric grounder from the edge of the area as the Stripes’ central defenders were looking uncomfortable.

On the other end, Buhagiar failed to head firmly enough on Cilia’s cross from the right.

Towards the late stages of the first half, Birkirkara threatened to take the lead. Cilia ran down the right flank, chasing Fenech’s pass but his shot was deflected into a corner.

Belupa conceded a couple of corner kicks before Bajada, inside a crowded Belupo area, scored with a low diagonal drive but the goal was rightly disallowed for an offside position.

And before the half was over, Cilia again provided an insidious cross from the right which was headed into a corner by the Belupo defence.

Within five minutes of the second half, both sides created a good scoring opportunity. Vrucina’s low cross from the left found Posavec unmarked inside the Birkirkara area. His goalbound effort was providentially cleared off the line.

On the other end, Comvalius chased a long ball and after beating his opponent, he lobbed the ball slightly over.

Belupo enjoyed more of the possession and with Birkirkara closing all the gaps, but hardly looking dangerous, play remained mostly chaotic for long stretches in the second period.

It was again in the late stages that keeper Borg stretched himself to save a Delic low effort.

Birkirkara’s response came from Tabone, whose shot at goal was saved with some difficulty by Belupo keeper Rodic.

Birkirkara’s last ditch efforts failed to reward them with a goal although substitute Rowen Muscat, who had just gone in for Fenech, lobbed a ball just over the bar.

Holding to ball possession, Belupo were still winning by that one-goal lead from the first leg at the end.