An early second minute goal from Swkaj proved to be enough for Vllaznia of Albania to take a slender, but valuable one-goal cushion for next week’s return leg in Albania.

The Stripes now have a daunting task to make it to the next qualifying round as they will have to win by at least two goals to qualify.

Gareth Sciberras was making his debut for Birkirkara . He was undoubtedly one of the hardest workers for the Stripes but it was evident that he still needs some time to settle in his new side.

In the first half, Vlazznia immediately took the lead and the Stripes appeared to be shell-shocked.

From then on it was an uphill battle, but their penchant of playing the possession game was getting them nowhere. In fact, for the remaining minutes of the first half, they did not even have a pot at goal and the Vllaznia defence had absolutely no difficulty in controlling the feeble Stripes efforts.

The Stripes were good in midfield with Paul Fenech, newcomer Gareth Sciberras and Rowen Muscat working very hard, but they faltered in their final passes, although in most occasions, they had to pass the ball backward to their defenders.

In the second half, the Stripes attacked incessantly but were again found wanting in front of goal. Despite their territorial domination, they were rarely given a chance to get close to goal and they were only limited to efforts from outside the area which proved to be harmless.

The match had barely started when after two minutes Vllazny took the lead. Swkaj received a good ball from defence, advanced unhindered, dribbled round the onrushing Mora and planted the ball home from a tight angle.

After 16 minutes came Birkirkara’s first real attack, when Fenech sent a good pass to Zerafa, but the latter’s cross went astray with Camilli and Cilia waiting for the killer touch.

Birkirkara tried to get back into the game. They played the possession game with intelligence but rarely found a way to pentrate the strong Albanian defence.

On the 39th minute Birkirkara protested in vain for a penalty when Cilia ended on the ground in a tackle with Smajlaj, but the official was close to the action and waved play on.

Vllaznia went close to scoring again in the 40th minute. From a Gocaj corner, Swkaj headed just over the bar.

Just before the interval, from a Buhagiar cross, the ball was headed away onto the path of Rowen Muscat, but his effort from the edge of the area went well over the post.

At the start of the second half, Birkirkara again dominated possession, but it was the Albanians who were dangerous when after 12 minutes, Swukaj advanced on the left flank beating three defenders, but his hard and low cross was just missed by Gocaj.

Birkirkara replied with a Camilli effort on 66 minutes, but his effort went wide.

Ten minutes later, it as again Camilli who tried his luck from outside the area, but his dipper went wide.

Eight minutes from the end, the Stripes were awarded a free-kick just outside the area, but Savinovs lifted the ball high over the post.

Birkirkara had an Alan Tabone free-kick saved without difficulty by Vujodinovic on the 90th minute.

Before the end, the Stripes pressed hard for an equaliser but the nearest they came to scoring was when Sciberras had a shot blocked by the Albanian defence.

Birkirkara: J. Mora, A. Buhagiar, A. Agius, M. Savinovs, A. Decesare, R. Muscat (A. Tabone), P. Fenech, G. Sciberras, T. Cilia, J. Camilli (Da Silva), J. Zerafa (L. Grech).

Vllaznia: M. Vujodinovic, D. Smajlaj, B. C. Rajov, A. Sykaj, B. Popovic, I. Nallbani, A. Belisha, O. Gocaj (E. Hasani), A. Alechenu, A. Vazushi (N.Shtubina), X. Swkaj.

Referee: Ignasi Villamayor Rozados (Andorra)

Asst refs: L. Lopez, RM de Queiros.

4th official: HRJ Perieira.

Scorer: X. Swkaj 2,

Yellow cards: C. Rajov, M. Savinovs,

Attendance: 776